Health and Well-being
The health and well-being of its citizens will be a central priority for Mid and East Antrim. This will build on the diverse range of facilities, programmes and projects already in place. Here, we have endeavoured to highlight some shining examples from each Council area.
Sports
Across the area, key strategies have been implemented to deliver an extensive range of sporting opportunities and facilities. The Active Communities programme, with Ballymena Borough Council as lead council, already works in partnership across the three council areas to encourage participation in target groups of older people, women and children. This is complemented by local initiatives such as the Larne Borough Sports Forum which provides a forum for information exchange and advises Larne Borough Council on sports and recreation issues. All councils have seen recent investment in sporting infrastructure, with Ballymena Borough Council investing in the Ballymena Showgrounds, multi-use flood-lit games pitches in Broughshane, Ahoghill and Kells; and the installation of outdoor gym equipment at various locations in partnership with local community groups. In Larne, outdoor gym equipment has also been installed in parks and along the popular Promenade. In Carrickfergus, the refurbishment of the amphitheatre has delivered a state-of-the-art public health facility including the new urban sports park. A recent £1.3 million investment in the Marine Gardens has transformed the area and includes a hugely popular new play park.
Culture
The Larne Museum and Arts Centre has been given a new lease of life thanks to the completion of its community museum. It is home to the Larne Drama Circle, Larne Art Club and the Larne and District Historical Society. In Ballymena, the Braid Town Hall, Museum and Arts Centre is the borough’s civic and cultural heart. The Braid Mid-Antrim Museum delivers an innovative programme of events, exhibitions and outreach programmes. It also acts as the lead partner within Mid-Antrim Museums Service, comprising Ballymena, Newtownabbey, Larne and Carrickfergus Councils. The Ballymena Arts Partnership has over 200 members, and is involved in delivering a large programme of workshops and entertainment, from comedy nights to film clubs and more. Ballymena Borough Council also delivers an award-winning Artist in the Community programme, with work recently completed in Cargan and under way in Kells.
Community planning
Community representation and partnership is recognised as a vital component in both establishing and addressing need. Carrickfergus Community Forum is an example of how councils can utilise a community framework to develop services. It has been in operation for more than 15 years and acts as an umbrella organisation for almost 100 local community and voluntary groups.
Councillor Tommy Nicholl MBE, Vice-Chair of Mid and East Antrim STC, explains how community planning will work:
I believe community planning is ‘the jewel in the crown’ of local government reform. From April 2015, the 11 new councils will have a new statutory duty to make arrangements for community planning. This power will give local councils the opportunity, through a community plan, to take a very active interest in service delivery across all the public services of a region. Mid and East Antrim will be in the position to bring the statutory bodies, agencies and the wider community all round the table to develop and implement a shared vision for promoting the well-being of the area, improving the quality of life for our citizens and making best use of the public pound.
We all know that money is scarce, and it is our challenge as elected representatives to ensure that the resources we have are used in a more focused and considered way. Key to this is working in partnership with all the stakeholders, whether that is the business community, the local residents or the health sector, to meet the needs and to maximise the impact of the combined public sector money available in any particular council area.
