SECTION 1 - Defining the activity subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016
1A. Name of Public Authority.
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
1B. Please provide a short title which describes the activity being undertaken by the Public Authority that is subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016.
Council are amending the advertising platforms used for recruitment adverts to reduce the reliance of print media and increase the use of online platforms, removing the requirement of mandatory print advertising. This would create resourcing and cost efficiencies and increase applicant/talent reach.
Updated advertising platforms are proposed as NIJobs/NIJobfinder/Indeed, Council website and social media.
1C. Please indicate which category the activity specified in Section 1B above relates to.
Revising a plan.
1D. Please provide the official title (if any) of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service document or initiative relating to the category indicated in Section 1C above.
Recruitment Advertising.
1E. Please provide details of the aims and/or objectives of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service.
The aim of amending recruitment advertising platforms is to ensure that future methods are in line with best practice and changing recruitment market platforms, to achieve the broadest range of talent acquisition whilst maintaining accessibility for all equality category groups and providing a cost-efficient recruitment service. The objective is to reduce the reliance of print media and increase the use of online platforms, removing the requirement of mandatory print advertising, creating resourcing and cost efficiencies and increase applicant/talent reach.
1F. What definition of ‘rural’ is the Public Authority using in respect of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?
Population Settlements of less than 5,000 (Default definition) and other definition.
Details of alternative definition of ‘rural’ used: N/A
Rationale for using alternative definition of ‘rural’: N/A
Reasons why a definition of 'rural’ is not applicable. N/A
SECTION 2 - Understanding the impact of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service
2A. Is the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service likely to impact on people in rural areas?
No.
2B. Please explain how the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas.
N/A.
2C. If the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently from people in urban areas, please explain how it is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently.
N/A.
2D. Please indicate which of the following rural policy areas the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to primarily impact on.
N/A.
2E. Please explain why the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is NOT likely to impact on people in rural areas.
The plan to amend recruitment advertising by reducing or removing print media may have a minimal or no impact on those living in rural areas in relation to the availability of internet access and online accessibility in rural areas. It could also be considered that accessibility of print media may also be more difficult for people in rural areas in comparison with those in urban areas. In this respect, statistics are available to support increased internet connectivity in rural areas.
- The Northern Ireland Executive’s broadband scheme - Project Stratum - as of September 2024, has brought full-fibre broadband to over 78,000 predominantly rural premises. (Ofcom).
- Availability of 5G continues to grow, with estimated coverage provided outside of Northern Ireland premises by at least one mobile network operator at 86%, with 4G coverage across Northern Ireland at more than 99% of premises able to connect. (Ofcom).
- Compared to rural areas in the UK as a whole rural Northern Ireland has faster average broadband download speeds. (NI Assembly).
- Mobile internet access - Northern Ireland has a lower level of geographic data ‘not spots’ as compared to the rest of the UK, which theoretically increases the potential of mobile internet usage within rural areas. (NI Assembly)
SECTION 3 - Identifying the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas
3A. Has the Public Authority taken steps to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas that are relevant to the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?
No.
3B. Please indicate which of the following methods or information sources were used by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.
N/A.
3C. Please provide details of the methods and information sources used to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas including relevant dates, names of organisations, titles of publications, website references, details of surveys or consultations undertaken etc.
N/A.
3D. Please provide details of the social and economic needs of people in rural areas which have been identified by the Public Authority?
N/A.
If the response to Section 3A was YES GO TO Section 4A.
3E. Please explain why no steps were taken by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas?
No steps were taken to identify the social and economic needs of employees in rural areas in relation to this amendment primarily as it has been determined that there is not likely to be an adverse impact on people in rural areas, as amended recruitment advertising methods will have an increased reach and accessibility to individuals across Northern Ireland.
SECTION 4 - Considering the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas
4A. Please provide details of the issues considered in relation to the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.
N/A.
SECTION 5 - Influencing the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service
5A. Has the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, been influenced by the rural needs identified?
No.
5B. Please explain how the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, has been influenced by the rural needs identified.
N/A.
5C. Please explain why the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or the delivery of the Public Service, has NOT been influenced by the rural needs identified.
No direct or indirect rural needs were identified for the progression of increased use of online recruitment advertising platforms.
SECTION 6 - Documenting and Recording
6A. Please tick below to confirm that the RNIA Template will be retained by the Public Authority and relevant information on the Section 1 activity compiled in accordance with paragraph 6.7 of the guidance.
I confirm that the RNIA Template will be retained and relevant information compiled.
Rural Needs Impact Assessment undertaken by: HR Business Partner.
Division/Branch: OD/HR.
Date: 6 December 2024.
Rural Needs Impact Assessment approved by: Head of OD/HR.
Division/Branch: OD/HR.
Date: 12 December 2024.