Towards 2015

How Antrim and Newtownabbey are working together to deliver a successful merger.

With local government reform back on track, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Councils are forging ahead with plans for their amalgamation in April 2015. The two organisations recognise the challenge presented by the short timeframe but are confident that the amalgamation will present great opportunities for their citizens to continue to enjoy quality facilities and benefit from an extended range of Council services. Key functions such as planning, urban regeneration, local economic development and tourism will become responsibilities of the new Council. These combined with the new power of well-being and community planning powers will allow the new Council to develop and implement a shared vision for the area.

The Mayors, Councillor Roy Thompson, Antrim Borough Council, and Alderman Victor Robinson, Newtownabbey Borough Council are in agreement commenting: “‘The next two years will be important for local government. What is achieved during this time will set the direction of local government for a generation. We are committed to making the transition process work for the benefit of citizens and staff alike. We are keen to build on the success of both Councils.” They continue: “With the expertise and dedication of our staff and elected members, we are confident that we can create a new organisation in which the citizens of our new Council area can take pride.”

A Voluntary Transition Committee comprising of eight elected representatives from each Council and a Transition Management Team has been meeting regularly to progress the work associated with the creation of the new Council. Recent familiarisation visits to key facilities across both Boroughs, proved very useful in helping Councillors to find out more about each other’s Council area.

A programme of work approved by the Voluntary Transition Committee is already under way and this will steer both Councils through the transition period, towards a successful merger in just under two years’ time.

The two councils are innovative and progressive in outlook and culturally very similar, which has fostered a spirit of co-operation and positive engagement since amalgamation was first broached. A strategy of collaboration on procurement of external services has been introduced. This coming together as partner councils ensures a more competitive bidding process resulting in the efficient use of resources, cutting costs and providing better value for the ratepayers. Many other joint projects are currently being progressed as opportunities to work together are developed.

The senior officers who form the Transition Management Team meet monthly to progress the work programme including rates convergence and a comprehensive audit of the service areas within both Councils. These meetings are also attended by representatives from the functions transferring from central government, including planning, urban regeneration and local economic development.

Management and Trade Unions from both Councils have already met and the Joint Local Consultation and Negotiation Forum has been established. A Joint Communications Action Plan is keeping staff and members fully informed as the amalgamation progresses.

David McCammick, Chief Executive of Antrim Borough Council, and Jacqui Dixon, Chief Executive of Newtownabbey Borough Council, both agree that the aim of the on-going work is to ensure a seamless transition towards the new Council.

“We want all our stakeholders to benefit from the combined strengths that both Antrim and Newtownabbey bring to the new Council and we will create a dynamic local authority with more powers and enhanced services for our citizens. Thanks to the rates convergence work already undertaken, the amalgamation itself should have minimal impact on the ratepayer.”

New council profile:

• It covers 274 sq miles from the shores of Lough Neagh in the west to the shores of Belfast Lough in the east. Its northern boundary with Ballymena leads to the Glens of Antrim and the port of Larne, while to the south it borders Belfast and Lisburn.

• 138,000 people live here.

• 65,000 vehicles pass through each day on the M2, one of the major transport corridors through the area.

• Five million people arrive or depart every year through Northern Ireland’s busiest gateway, Belfast International Airport.

• Two of Northern Ireland’s most popular and modern retail outlets, Junction One and Abbey Centre, attract shoppers from far and wide.

• Three higher education facilities, the University of Ulster at Jordanstown, Greenmount Agricultural College at Antrim and the Northern Regional College campus at Whiteabbey cater for nearly 20,000 students.

• Two hospitals, Antrim Area and Whiteabbey, are within its boundaries.

• The four hundred year old Antrim Castle Gardens, one of the most historically intact gardens in the UK and Ireland, are set to become a major international tourism destination following a £6 million restoration project. The recent Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Council funded redevelopment of Jordanstown Loughshore Park has established the park as a key location on the very popular Causeway Coastal Route.

• Four top class recreation facilities are on offer at Antrim Forum and Stadium, Ballyearl Arts and Leisure Centre, Sixmile Leisure Centre and the Valley Leisure Centre. The recently opened Newtownabbey Way path linking Mossley Mill with the shores of Belfast Lough and the trails around Lough Neagh offer many walking, cycling and recreational opportunities.

• Three theatres, the Courtyard Theatre at Ballyearl, the Theatre at the Mill and the Old Courthouse in Antrim, provide all year round entertainment.

• 47 business and farm enterprise projects have received almost £1.1million in Rural Development funding in the past three years, resulting in a total investment of nearly £2.2 million. Another 19 projects are still on-going, with funding of £445,210 awarded (levering an investment of £977,2260.

• Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council have been working together with Carrickfergus as part of the CAN PEACE III Partnership since 2008. Through a share of the £4 million of PEACE funding the two Councils have supported 13 local projects, 30 facilitated programmes and 28 community events/initiatives. Delivery of Phase II of the PEACE III Programme is on-going.