Welcome to Introduction Welcome to the Causeway Coast and Glens We start on our journey as Causeway Coast and Borough Council’s Borough Council Strategy for 2015-2019. Glens Borough Council with a sense of pride, belief and ambition. We are committed to help This is the first Council Strategy for the newly shape the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council formed Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council as a dynamic, progressive Council and Council which came into existence on 1st April as an exemplar of best practice across all areas Strategy 2015 as part of the reform of local government of service. We also seek to work for the benefit in Northern which saw the number of of our residents and continue to develop the 2015 - 2019 Councils reduced from 26 to 11. reputation of our unique geographical location.

We have much to be proud of in terms of Our area prides itself on being a great place to Love to Surf the legacy we have inherited from our four live, work and visit. Very few areas can boast predecessor Councils: Borough the richness and diversity of the landscape our Council; Borough Council; new Council has to offer - a coastline which Borough Council; and . stretches over 140 km along the Atlantic Coast The Causeway Coast and Glens Borough from to the Glens of , as well Council has sought to build upon the values as three areas of outstanding natural beauty and ideals which shaped these Councils while encompassing , the Causeway Coast setting out a new vision and direction as a and the . collective organisation. Binevenagh Viewing Point Welcome to Our area attracts thousands of tourists every • promote our tourist offer locally as well This document sets out the 2015-2019 a budget of almost £50 million annually, it Why we Causeway Coast year as it is home to prestigious events such as internationally, and Strategy for the Causeway Coast and Glens employs 722 people providing a range of public and Glens as the North West 200, the • protect the environment in which we live. Borough Council. services across 70 Council owned buildings, have a Borough Council’s International Airshow and the Milk Cup, as well sites and facilities. This Council Strategy is a as festivals such as the Ould Lammas Fair and While we have established our aims and The key purpose of the 2015-2019 Council high level strategic plan which aims to ensure Strategy Danny Boy. objectives for the area the Council will continue Strategy is to establish the direction, style and that all of the Council’s team across all of its Council to listen and engage with its citizens to identify standards for the new Council. Specifically it services and sites are moving in the same This Strategy, through 5 cross cutting strategic changing needs and ensure that resources are will provide a framework to: direction and meeting the expectation of Council Strategy themes, sets out the priorities of the Council available to deliver the services which meets citizens and visitors consistently and with a high between 2015 and 2019. We will work to; these needs. Community Planning will provide • Ensure all people representing the level of service quality. the ideal process to further engage citizens and Council are working towards a shared 2015 - 2019 • provide effective and sustainable local other statutory agencies, thereby ensuring we and agreed direction; and The Council Strategy provides the framework for services best shape our area for the maximum benefit of • Establish the strategic priorities for the development of the Council Directorates and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge • develop our economy and create jobs our people. the organisation and its customers service delivery plans in addition to confirming • enhance our people’s health and (ratepayers, citizens of the Council area the Vision and Mission for the Council and how wellbeing We look forward to working with our residents and visitors to it). it relates to other public sector organisations. • empower our local people to take and local organisations to successfully The Strategy’s relationship with a range of ownership of projects in their community implement this Strategy over the next 4 years. The Causeway Coast and Glens Borough other plans relevant to the Council area and the Council is a complex organisation. It manages Council is set out in the following diagram:

Council Strategy - Annual Department Community Planning Spatial Plan this plan (2015-2019) and Service Plans (2016-2020) (2018-2030) What we aim to do What we deliver Our vision as a community How our as an organisation on behalf of and how we collectively area and how we do it our citizens work and achieve that vision will look Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council delivers services across seven District Your Electoral Areas which are represented by 40 Councillors. The Council has adopted Your Local a traditional committee system of governance which is illustrated below: Local Causeway Coast Council … and Glens Councillors Borough Council Ballymoney

Leisure and Environmental Corporate Policy Development Services and Resources Planning Audit Committee Committee Committee Committee Committee

From the management and service delivery perspective, the Council is organisationally structured as shown below: DIRECTOR OF Environmental Health; Building Control; Waste Services; Grounds Maintenance; Infrastructure; Fleet John Finlay Alan McClean Ian Stevenson William Blair Tom McKeown Darryl Wilson Philip McGuigan ENVIRONMENTAL Management; Licensing; Cemeteries; Street Cleansing; Public Conveniences; Play Park Maintenance; (DUP) Alderman (DUP) (DUP) (TUV) (UUP) Alderman (UUP) (SF) SERVICES Energy Management; Landfill and Compost Management; Harbours, Marinas and Terminals; Capital Projects Deputy Mayor CHIEF Financial Accounting; Management Accounting; Project/Capital Accounting; Budgetary control; Payroll; FINANCE Supplier payments; Invoicing and Credit Control; Treasury management/banking; Cash handling/ Bann OFFICER reconciliation; Procurement Democratic Services; Organisational Development/Human Resources; Corporate Health and Safety; Insurance; CHIEF DIRECTOR OF Reception Services; Registrar of Birth, Deaths and Marriages; Legal Advice; ICT; Community Planning and EXECUTIVE PERFORMANCE Council Strategy; Equality and Policy; Audit; Performance Management; Public Relations and Communications

HEAD Development Plan; Development Management including Consents and Certificates; Enforcement; OF Tree Preservation Orders; Conservation Area designation, variation or cancellation. PLANNING DIRECTOR OF Michelle Knight- Sam Cole Richard Holmes William King Roisin Loftus Economic Development; Community Services; Regeneration; Tourism Services; Health, (DUP) Alderman (UUP) (UUP) Alderman (SDLP) LEISURE AND Well-Being and Sport; Outdoor Recreation; Cultural Services McQuillan (DUP) DEVELOPMENT Mayor Your Your Local Local Councillors Benbradagh Coleraine Councillors

Dermot Nicholl Tony McCaul Sean McGlinchey Orla Beattie Boyd Douglas Trevor Clarke George Duddy David Harding Russell Watton Stephanie Quigley William McCandless (SF) (SF) (SF) (SDLP) (TUV) (DUP) (DUP) (Ind Unionist) (PUP) (SDLP) (UUP) Causeway Limavady

Barney Fitzpatrick Frank Campbell Mark Fielding Maura Hickey Sharon McKillop Norman Hillis Sandra Hunter James McCorkell Alan Robinson Aaron Callan Gerry Mullan Brenda Chivers (Alliance) (DUP) Alderman (DUP) (SDLP) Alderman (TUV) Alderman (UUP) Alderman (UUP) (DUP) (DUP) Alderman (UUP) (SDLP) Alderman (SF) Causeway Coast Your The Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council represents 140,000 plus people and Glens Local and has a geographical area of some 2,000km2. Borough Council Councillors The Glens The following map shows the new Council area; the 7 District Electoral areas are colour coded and the 40 Electoral Wards are named: Area Profile

Dark Hedges

Joan Baird Margaret Anne Cara McShane Kieran Mulholland Padraig McShane (UUP) McKillop (SDLP) (SF) (SF) (Ind)

1. Coolessan 7. Quarry 2. Greystone 8. Mount Sandel 3. Roeside 9. Windy Hall 4. Churchland 10. Ballymoney North 5. Waterside 11. Ballymoney East Glenariff Forest Park Waterfall 6. University 12. Ballymoney South Causeway Coast Causeway Coast and Glens In order to appreciate this Council Strategy it is • 20.41% of the population are aged What do these population gardens, 15 national nature reserves, and Glens useful to understand the context within which under-16 which is similar to the figures tell us…? and 4 areas of outstanding natural Borough Council the Council will operate and serve. Northern Ireland average (20.95%). beauty; Borough Council However the number of young people in • The population in the Causeway Coast Who Uses Our Services….? the Council area has declined by 3.16% and Glens Borough Council is growing; • The size of the Causeway Coast and Area since the 2001 Census; • The proportion of young people living in Glens Borough Council is 1,968 square Area The Council area is where 140,877 people live, the area is declining; kilometres. This is 14.0% of Northern Profile rest and play. We have a diverse population • There is a larger proportion of people • There is a growing number of older Ireland’s total land mass; Profile with the following characteristics: aged 65 and over living in the Causeway people residing in the Council area; Coast and Glens Borough (15.40%) • The Council area will be represented by • The Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Sunset Golfing • The resident population of the Causeway compared to the Northern Ireland both main traditions in Northern Ireland; Council borders 3 other Council areas: Coast and Glens Borough Council at the average (14.56%). This indicates that • The general health of the population is Borough Council, 2011 Census was 140,877 representing there is an ageing population in the better than the rest of Northern Ireland. Mid District Council, and 7.78% of Northern Ireland’s total Council area; City and District Council. population; We can define ourselves as follows: • 54.79% of the people living in the What do these geographical • This population resides in 53,722 Causeway Coast and Glens Borough • The new Council area stretches west figures tell us…..? households throughout the Council area; Council are Protestant while 40.21% are to east from Lough Foyle to the Glens Catholic; and of Antrim, and south from the Atlantic • The Causeway Coast and Glens Borough • The number of people living in the coast and . The Borough Council is one of the largest Councils in Council area has increased by 7.08% • 20.17% of residents have a long term includes landmarks such as the Giants Northern Ireland in terms of land mass; since the 2011 Census which indicates health problem or disability which is Causeway world heritage site and • The Council area contains some of a growing population; 0.52% lower than the Northern Ireland Carrick-a-Rede rope-bridge; Northern Ireland’s most prominent visitor average. attractions and therefore tourism will be • 50.54% of the population is female while • The Causeway Coast and Glens Borough a major contributor to the local economy; 49.46% are male; Council also enjoys 31 historic parks and Causeway Coast Causeway Coast and Glens • The Causeway Coast and Glens Borough stars emerge at the annual Northern • The number of people in paid What do these economic and Glens Council will advocate for and provide Ireland Milk Cup tournament; employment is 2.99% lower than the figures tell us…..? Borough Council services across one of the best natural • The Borough has become a focal Northern Ireland average (54.62% Borough Council environments in Western Europe; point for golf on the world stage. It versus 57.61%); • Unemployment is a greater issue across • There are almost 120 designations encompasses 12 golf courses, including • The percentage of the population who the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough across the council area which merit some of the world’s best known. The Area are unemployed is higher than for Council than across NI as a whole; Area special status, including Nature Royal Golf Course successfully Northern Ireland as a whole (5.59% • The number of job opportunities in the Reserves, Areas of Outstanding Natural hosted the 2012 Irish Open and will host Profile versus 4.96%); Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Profile Beauty and Blue Flag Beaches the 2019 Open Championship, arguably • 13% of the working age population is • We enjoy many natural attractions such the biggest Major golf tournament in the Council area are limited; Air Show as coastlines, beaches, hills, mountains, world. employment deprived which ranks the • There are not enough well-paid jobs Pier water and islands Causeway Coast and Glens Borough being created within the Council area on A Place Where People Work, Council third in the deprivation rankings a consistent basis; An Area with Reasons to Visit Create and Earn… in relation to this indicator; • A large number of the businesses and Things to Experience… • In 2012 Invest NI provided £3.84 million located in the Causeway Coast and The economy of the Council area is defined of assistance to businesses in the Glens Borough Council are not availing of Our World Heritage Site, environments and Blue by our business structure and the number Causeway Coast and Glens Borough support from Invest NI; Flag beaches have always provided reasons to of our people actually engaged in work. The Council which was the lowest in • Entrepreneurship is prominent in visit. These are complimented by events and characteristics of the Council’s economy are as comparison to the other Council areas in the Council area with a healthy rate activities which are internationally recognised, follows: Northern Ireland; of businesses being started. The respected and supported: • 148 businesses were started in the challenge is to convert more of • 36.36% of the population in the Council area in 2012 through Invest NI’s these indigenous start-ups to growth • The North West 200 International road Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Regional Start Initiative which was the enterprises, underpinned by Research race attracts over 100,000 spectators Council is economically inactive which is 5th largest increase in Northern Ireland. and Development, export sales, and annually to the Council area; higher than the Northern Ireland average increased employment. • Many of the next generation of football (33.78%); Causeway Coast Causeway Coast and Glens A Place to Learn • The percentage of the population with Vision in the context of the Council’s Strategy is about establishing and Glens and Develop Skills … no or low levels of qualifications in the the overarching ambition and direction for the Council. Borough Council Council area is higher than the Northern Borough Council Formative learning and skills development Ireland average (42.93% versus The Vision of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Area is essential to the prosperity of the Borough. 40.63%). over the 2015-2019 timeframe is to: Our The area has some advantages, including a Profile University Campus and 2 regional colleges of What do these skills and Council further and higher education but some of the education figures tell us…? challenges are as follows: Maximise the benefits of Our Vision Joey Dunlop • The educational attainment within Memorial • Of those who left school in the Causeway secondary schools across the Causeway our unique location and Coast and Glens Borough Council in Coast and Glens Borough Council is Iron 2012-2013 80.2% achieved 5 or more higher than the norm for Northern Ireland; landscape by providing Islands GCSEs at grade C and above which is • Based on the figures educational ambitious, accessible, higher than the Northern Ireland average achievement is lower in further and (78.5%); higher education throughout the Council innovative and efficient • 21.33% of the people living in the area; services which Council area have gained a degree or • The skills base of the total population of higher qualification. This is slightly lower the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough fulfil customer than for Northern Ireland as a whole Council is slightly lower compared to (23.65%); other areas of Northern Ireland. expectations Causeway Coast Causeway Coast and Glens The ‘mission’ establishes the purpose of the Council; Our Values … Defining the Type of Council We Aspire To Be and Glens the reason we exist and the role that we will undertake in serving our citizens. Borough Council Values define the type of organisation that the Council will strive to be … it recognises that not only Borough Council will we focus on providing a range of public services across the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough The mission of the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council but we will do so to a set of standards which define the organisation’s culture. Our for 2015 - 2019 is to: Our The Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council will deliver its services and meet its responsibilities Mission to ratepayers and communities across the Council area by adhering to the following values: Values

Cushendun Improve the quality of life and well-being for all of our citizens Our Values We Will Make These Meaningful for Our People By … and visitors by: Fairness • treating everyone fairly and with respect; • making decisions based on evidence, need and equality • Providing effective and sustainable local public services; Excellence • achieving the highest standards in our service delivery; • Accelerating our economy and improving economic • ensuring that our natural assets are managed to their maximum effect; prosperity; • fulfilling the expectations of our citizens. • Placing local communities at the heart of decision making; Sustainability and • taking informed decisions which ensure the sustainability of the Causeway Coast and Glens as the Local Authority; • Protecting and enhancing our unique natural environment Efficiency • using our resources as efficiently as possible to deliver value for money for our ratepayers. and assets; and Empowerment • supporting our people to reach their full potential in their role within Council; • supporting and facilitating communities to provide services and activities in their local areas. • Advocating for the area and our citizens in both local and international arenas. Innovation • create an environment that encourages everyone to think about better ways to deliver Council services; • developing partnerships to improve the quality of life for our residents. Causeway Coast Our Strategic Themes … Bringing Focus to the Work Causeway Coast and Glens of the Council and Glens

Borough Council The Council’s Strategy sets the direction and standards for the Council to take over the next four years. Borough Council

In order to provide a structure to achieve the Council’s Vision, five key corporate themes have been Our developed. Outcomes have been established for each of these five themes and these will form the Our central context of our work over the 2015-2019 timeframe. These outcomes define what we would Strategic like to achieve at a high level against each area across the 4 year timeframe of this Strategy. Strategic Strategic Strategic We Will Achieve These Outcomes by 2019 We Will Achieve These Outcomes by 2019 Themes Theme Theme Themes Leader and • Our Elected Members will provide civic leadership to our citizens, working Resilient, Healthy • Council will work to support healthy lifestyle choices for all citizens; Champion to promote the Borough as an attractive place to live, work, invest and visit; and Engaged • Citizens will have access to Council recreational facilities and protected Dunluce Gold • We will establish key relationships with Government, agencies and Communities natural environments which help them to develop their physical, Castle potential strategic partners in Northern Ireland and external to it which emotional and cognitive health helps us to deliver our vision for this Council area. • Council will work to develop and promote stable and cohesive communities across the Borough. Accelerating Our • The Council will work with its partners to maximise business start-up Economy and opportunities and encourage existing enterprises to grow and prosper; Protecting and • All environments in the area will benefit from pro-active decision making Contributing to • The Council will work with partners to maximise investment funding Enhancing Our which protects the natural features, characteristics and integrity of the Prosperity opportunities from external sources including; the Northern Ireland Environments Borough; Assembly, the European Union, the Rural Development Programme, and Assets • Our citizens will be given the maximum opportunity to enjoy our and from private sector financing. natural environments; Innovation and • The Council will continuously examine and introduce ways to provide • Our natural assets will be carefully managed to generate economic Transformation services in more accessible and efficient ways; and social returns without compromising their sustainability for • The Council will embrace new technologies and processes where they future generations. can bring about better experiences for citizens and visitors. Causeway Coast Causeway Coast and Glens and Glens Borough Council Current Financial Profile How Will We Do It? Borough Council

The Council currently has a budget for 2015/16 of £49.92 million to deliver its service portfolio. The Council has started a two stage expectations whilst being efficient in Council’s transformational change process: doing so. How Will This expenditure makes up just under half of The following table provides an overview of how Financial the overall rates paid by citizens and businesses Council presently expends its resources on • Transition - the process of integrating Innovation requires continuous improvement. We Do it? in the area (the remainder pays for central service delivery and this is the baseline budget the four original Councils and transferred The Council will deliver on the vision, mission, functions into the new Causeway Coast values and strategic priorities set out in this government services). that will be used to deliver our strategic priorities: Profile and Glens Council; Council Strategy by clarifying its customers’ needs and expectations, reviewing current Service Expenditure Income Net Cost • Transformation - evolving our service provision, analysing challenges, risks Giant’s Causeway Economic Development 3.70m (1.64m) 2.06m processes and approaches to service and prospects, developing improvement Community & Culture 2.72m (0.80m) 1.92m delivery in order to ensure we are opportunities, taking action based on cost and effective at meeting customer’s benefits, and continually reviewing performance. Leisure & Sport 6.88m (2.60m) 4.28m Tourism & Amenities 3.63m (3.24m) 0.39m Waste 13.12m (1.04m) 12.08m Regulatory 4.58m (1.52m) 3.06m Estates 5.57m (0.23m) 5.34m Infrastructure 0.35m (0.91m) (0.56m) Central Services & Planning 9.37m (1.42m) 7.95m TOTALS 49.92m 13.40m 36.52m LIMAVADY PRINTING CO. LTD. LIMAVADY

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