eqia timetable: april 2012 - march web viewwe continue to engage the services of the big word...

EQUALITY COMMISSION FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

Public Authority 2012 – 2013 Annual Progress Report on: Section 75 of the NI Act 1998 and Section 49A of the Disability Discrimination Order (DDO)

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This report template includes a number of self-assessment questions regarding implementation of the Section 75 statutory duties from 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 (Part A).

This template also includes a number of questions regarding implementation of Section 49A of the DDO from the 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 (Part B).

Please enter information at the relevant part of each section and ensure that it is submitted electronically (by completing this template) and in hardcopy, with a signed cover letter from the Chief Executive or, in his / her absence, the Deputy Chief Executive to the Commission by 31 August 2013. In completing this template it is essential to focus on the application of Section 75 and Section 49. This involves progressing the commitments in your equality scheme or disability action plan which should lead to outcomes and impacts in terms of measurable improvement for individuals from the equality categories. Such outcomes and impacts may include changes in public policy, in service provision and/or in any of the areas within your functional remit.

Name of public authority (Enter details below)

Antrim Borough Council

Equality Officer (Enter name and contact details below)S75: Catherine McFarlandStrategic Director - Corporate and Regulatory Services

DDO (if different from above):Elaine MageeAssistant Director - Human Resources

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A: Section 75 Annual Progress Report 2012 - 2013

Executive Summary What were the key policy / service developments made by the authority during this reporting period to better promote equality of opportunity and good relations and what outcomes were achieved?

In support of Council’s Corporate Plan, new values and associated behaviours were introduced and these explicitly support the theme of respect for all along with demonstrating integrity, responsibility and innovation. These values are integrated into all aspects of our performance management process and are directly linked to our diversity training programme.

All Sections across Council have an objective to promote values and behaviours within their area of responsibility and all managers have individual objectives relating to this.

Fuel poverty and energy efficiency presentations were made across the borough

Keep Warm packs (including blankets, thermal underwear, flasks, gloves and socks) were distributed across the borough by Council and with the assistance of CAB, Good Morning Antrim and three Primary schools within the top 10% Super Output areas in Antrim.

Insulation and Boiler Replacement Schemes – The insulation and boiler replacement schemes are available to householders to apply through the council. 164 referral applications were made across the borough with 107 of these being successful.

Oil Stamps – The Council’s Oil Stamp Saving Scheme sold £130,000 worth of £5 oil stamps across the Borough. These stamps allow householders to budget more effectively for Oil and are available to all residents within the Borough. There are 18 retailers across the Borough Selling stamps.

The Good Relations Strategy and Action plan continues to be implemented. The Good Relations Small Grants Scheme continues to be applied across the Borough. The Good Relation Action Plan has three strategic themes - Civic Leadership; Community Participation; Community Re-Imaging. Throughout the year the Good Relations Programme supported 60 events that engaged with 2,100 people with financial support from OFMDFM.

Council is the lead partner in the Rural Development Strategy developed by GROW. GROW South Antrim was appointed by Antrim, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey Borough Councils in 2008 in line with DARD’s guidelines in relation to the formation of Local Action Groups. GROW was appointed following

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an extensive animation process throughout the three Council areas with the objective of attracting as wide a cross section of rural stakeholders as possible with particular emphasis on representatives from the Section 75 groups. Also in 2008, GROW prepared a 7 year strategic plan that is overseen by a Joint Committee of elected members from the three Councils; GROW’s strategy currently seeks to address the following priorities through its programme of work:

The measures will meet the Axes 3 & 4 objectives of improving the quality of life in rural areas and diversification of the rural economy through:

Increasing economic activity and employment rates in the wider rural economy through encouraging on-farm diversification into non-agricultural activities, off-farm diversification and re-skilling;

Supporting the creation and development of micro-enterprises in the broader rural economy;

Encouraging rural tourism built on the sustainable development of Northern Irelands natural resources, cultural and natural heritage;

Improving the access by rural dwellers to basic services for the economy and rural population;

Regenerating villages, other rural settlements and their surrounding areas by supporting the development of integrated action plans and integrated village initiatives to improve economic prospects, community relations and the quality of life.

Each grant application presented to GROW for funding is assessed in terms of the measurable equality or equal opportunity objectives the project can achieve that are expected outcomes from the programme (5% of the total marks available).

A number of projects have been funded for Antrim including awards of grant aid providing new community facilities in rural areas and awards that have provided young people from across the Borough the opportunity to meet and to take part in workshops with other young people from across Europe.

The Good Relations Strategy and Action plan will continue to be implemented.

The Good Relations Small Grants Scheme will continue to be applied across the Borough.

We continue to engage the services of the Big Word providing a telephone translation service into any language to facilitate all of our customers.

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Equality is actively promoted through the staff newsletter, Talkabout, and is included in induction and our Staff Handbook.

Participated in the Best Companies survey and was awarded Best Companies ‘Ones to Watch’ for 2012 – this particularly highlighted positive ratings for work life balance (see below)

Council’s innovative Work-life Balance Policy continues to be offered to all 9 categories covered by Section 75 and has been effectively implemented during the year.

Full review of Council’s Equality in Employment Action Plan was carried out and the plan has been fully updated and continuous improvements introduced.

‘Learning Weeks’ for staff included training on ‘Dignity & Respect’ and Disability Awareness.

Council continue to offer work placement opportunities, and employment opportunities, to individuals with disabilities.

Individual Well-being Action Plans continue to be used to ensure that suitable adjustments are made to enable employees with disabilities to remain in work or return to work following absence.

Council commenced a partnership with Employers for Disability NI to identify how to take a strategic approach to disability going forward in conjunction with the Local Government Staff Commission.

Council remains an Employer of Choice and the working group continues to meet monthly to ensure promotion of diversity across Council.

Council successfully retained the Gold Workplace Charter on Domestic Violence for 2012 and this is directly related to our Individual Wellbeing Action Planning process and work-life balance policy open to all 9 categories.

The Customer Services team and Admin/Registration staff attended the Engagement, Integration and Diversity programme designed to assist front-line staff communicate with non-native English speakers.

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Participation in a range of physical recreation activities is actively encouraged from all Section 75 groups within and outside our Borough. To this end the Recreation Section seeks and develops partnerships with a range of bodies, some of examples of which are as follows

Groups engaging with Antrim Forum/Allen Park facilities:

Group CommentKnights Wheelchair Basketball Continue to be Antrim Forum facility usersBrain Injury Clinic Antrim Hospital Aims: To promote recovery after head trauma

To breakdown perceived barriers to fitness. Users of Fitness Suite.

ACE Club (Learning Disabilities group)

Continue to be Antrim Forum facility users (multi activity – also supported by Active Communities Coaches)

Wheelchair users of Fitness Suite Antrim Forum facility usersAction Mental Health New Horizons Aim: To increase physical activity levels

among Action Mental Health New horizons clientele and make leisure accessible. Users of both Antrim Forum and Allen Park although numbers have dwindled due to lack of funding support.

Cedar Foundation Aim: To help clients to become independent and to improve life/social skills and to manage money. Users of Fitness Suite

Blind Golfers Continue to be Allen Park facility usersRiverside Special School Aim: To help clients maintain a level of

exercise Continue to be Antrim Forum and Allen Park facility usersSwimming lessons provided by Antrim Forum staff

The Base (for adults with learning disabilities)

Receive funding from the Northern Partnership for Physical Activity (NPPA) of which Antrim Borough Council is a member) to use Antrim Forum facilities and engage in Active Communities programmes.

Looked after children Use of Antrim Forum swimming pool during summer holidays (funded through NPPA)

Holywell Hospital (psychiatric care) Use of Fitness Suite and Driving Range at Allen Park

Muckamore Hospital Use of Driving Range at Allen ParkMS Society Use of Fitness SuiteDisability Sport Northern Ireland Support for events provided by Council e.g.

New Age Kurling (NAK) & Boccia. These annual events are held at Antrim Forum. The Recreation Development Team are actively engaged in setting up a local NAK/Boccia

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league in the longer term.Fit and Active Club (over 50s) Antrim Forum usersFitter Folk Better Balance (over 55 falls prevention)

Targeted programme now through Active Communities

Second level Schools in Antrim Borough

Aim: introduction of exercise to teenagers to encourage future use and healthy lifestyle.Use of Fitness Suite to meet needs of the school curriculum.

Deaf Bowlers (Twice annually) Aim: To engage people who are deaf into the sport of bowls and social activity.

Chest, Heart and Stroke Association Aim: Information and social interaction group for those who have suffered from strokes.

Respiratory Group (Continuation Classes)

Aim: to continue rehabilitation and social inclusion

Exercise Referral Scheme Aim: To encourage improvement of health though prescribed exercise.

NI Stroke Association Aim: To deliver speech therapy classes in Greystone Community Centre

RNIB Users: Boccia classes in Muckamore Community Centre

Special Olympics Basketball Aim: To engage people of all ages with a learning disability in the sport of basketball

Sport NI Antrim/Newtownabbey Active Communities Consortium:

The Sport NI Active Communities Programme supports increased participation in sport and physical recreation especially among under- represented groups as defined within the NI Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation.The Programme has defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as follows:

50% of participants should be female 15% should be those with a disability 10% should be older participants (over 50)

The Antrim/Newtownabbey Consortium achieved and exceeded these KPIs during 2012/13 as follows:

Group Key population Involvement

The ‘Base Group’ Adults with a learning disability

Zumba Dance Use of Antrim Forum

Fitness suite and Allen Park through NPPA funding.

Cardiac Phase IV: Antrim Hospital

Disability / older people

Programme in partnership with Northern Partnership for Physical Activity. Rehabilitation of patients with heart conditions through exercise with sign

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posting on to health matters and gernal gym usage

Cancer rehabilitation: Antrim Hospital

Disability / older people

Pilot programme with Northern Partnership for Physical Activity. Rehabilitation of Cancer patients through exercise with Sign posting on to health matters and gernal gym usage

Muckamore Abbey Hospital Adults with a learning disability

Group physical activity sessions with Signposting to Health matters scheme

Zumba Aqua Zumba Dance

Holywell Hospital Adults with a learning disability


Riverside Special School Children under 18 years of age with a learning difficulty

12 week block of Dance Tuition leading to performance for friends and family

MS society Disability / older people


Rehability Rathenraw Adults with a learning disability

Zumba sessions

Fit and Active over 50s People over 50 years of age

Circuit training Zumba Aerobics

Simply Strolling People over 50 years of age for rehabilitation or returning to exercise

May – Sept gentle Summer Walks programme

Nordic Walking People over 50 years of age

May – September programme

Over 50s Activity day People over 50 years of age

Orienteering Ten pin Bowling Aerobics

Rosemary Lodge Care home

People over 50 years of age

Zumba Inclusive games

Clonlee Care home People over 50 years of age

Chair based exercise Inclusive games

programmeMasserene Manor People over 50 years

of age Chair based exercise Inclusive games

programmeAntrim Day Centre adults with a

learning / physical Chair based exercise Inclusive games

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disability

People over 50 years of age

programme

Progress against the Key Performance indicators which were set as part of the management agreement with Sport Northern Ireland for the year, April 2012 – March 2013 across the Antrim and Newtownabbey consortium:

7912 new people have taken part in activities this year On average, 659 new people were taking part in programmes each month Over 5340 hours of coaching took place across Antrim and Newtownabbey

through 3712 programmed sessions throughout the year

In relation to the KPI target groups as part of the Active Communities Programme:

Of 7912 participants; 4890 were female (61.8%), 777 (9.8%) were participants with a disability and 1120 (14.2%) participants were people over the age of 50 years.

The team exceeded their numerical targets in the following areas:

KPI Target 2011 / 2012 Actual 2011/2012 % achievement

Number of New

Participants 5490 7912 144%

Number of Female

Participants 3020 4890 162%

Number of

Participants with a

disability

714 777 109%

Number of older

people 769 1120 146%

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What are the main initiatives planned in the coming year to ensure the authority improves outcomes in terms of equality of opportunity and good relations for individuals from the nine categories covered by Section 75?

Continuation and development of activities already listed.

Promoting Fair Play in Sport

Planned consultation with stakeholders in relation to two new capital projects.

Further development of the strategic partnership with Employers for Disability NI and this will include conducting a disability audit to cover a wide range of Council services.

Ongoing training during Learning Weeks to include “Disability Positive”

Proactive approach to provision of work experience opportunities for students.

Ongoing implementation of Equality in Employment Action Plan

Hosting Career/Interview Skills Days for local Schools

Delivery of innovative approaches to Health and Well-being to create a culture that protects and supports the health and well-being of all staff.

Partnering with organisations offering the government’s ‘Workable Programme’ and this provides support employees who have a disability to remain in employment.

Ongoing implementation of our Employer of Choice Action Plan

Development of an Equality and Diversity Policy

Review and Updating Council’s Dignity & Respect at Work Policy

Council is the lead partner in the Rural Development Strategy developed by GROW. GROW South Antrim was appointed by Antrim, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey Borough Councils in 2008 in line with DARD’s guidelines in relation to the formation of Local Action Groups. GROW was appointed following an extensive animation process throughout the three Council areas with the objective of attracting as wide a cross section of rural stakeholders as possible with particular emphasis on representatives from the Section 75 groups. Also in 2008, GROW prepared a 7 year strategic plan that is overseen by a Joint Committee of elected members from the three Councils; GROW’s strategy currently seeks to address the following priorities through its programme of work:

Anti-poverty and social inclusion9

Children and young people

Race Equality

A Shared Future

Each grant application presented to GROW for funding is assessed in terms of the measurable equality or equal opportunity objectives the project can achieve that are expected outcomes from the programme (5% of the total marks available).

A number of projects have been offered funding in Antrim including awards of grant aid to Crumlin Together for Youth Projects in Crumlin, to Antrim Borough Council to work with disaffected young in Crumlin and to an independent Irish Language school also based in Crumlin.

The Good Relations Strategy and Action plan will continue to be implemented.

The Good Relations Small Grants Scheme will continue to be applied across the Borough.

New / Revised Equality Schemes

Please indicate whether this reporting period applies to a new or revised scheme and (if appropriate) when the scheme was approved?

This report applies to the previous Equality Scheme. The new revised scheme was approved by the Equality Commission on 23rd May 2012.

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Section 1: Strategic Implementation of the Section 75 DutiesPlease outline evidence of progress made in developing and meeting equality and good relations objectives, performance indicators and targets in corporate and annual operating plans during 2012-13.

Equality Council is the lead partner in the Rural Development Strategy developed by

GROW. GROW South Antrim was appointed by Antrim, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey Borough Councils in 2008 in line with DARD’s guidelines in relation to the formation of Local Action Groups.

GROW was appointed following an extensive animation process throughout the three Council areas with the objective of attracting as wide a cross section of rural stakeholders as possible with particular emphasis on representatives from the Section 75 group.

Council’s Equality in Employment Plan has undergone a full review during 2011-12 to ensure continuous improvement.

All Sections across Council have an objective to promote values and behaviours within their area of responsibility and all managers have individual objectives relating to this.

Council remains an accredited Employer of Choice and this year developments include a partnership with Employers for Disability Northern Ireland

Council have received and approved a number of requests for Work Life Balance demonstrating that this continues to be effective.

Council was shortlisted as finalists for the CIPD People Management Awards for 2013 in the area of Diversity.

Council was finalists for the Irish News Awards 2013 in the area of Disability.

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Good Relations Council’s Good Relations Strategy was implemented. Throughout the year the

Good Relations Programme supported 60 events that engaged with 2,100 people with financial support from OFMDFM. The programme engaged with 9 predominately PUL groups, 17 predominately CNR groups and 25 predominately mixed groups. Most of these groups have included someone from an ethnic minority.

Key successes have included Organising a Lambeg drum and drummer for an event in Toomebridge, predominantly a CNR area.Continued dialogue around a range of sensitive issues through the Civic Forum.Establishment of an Elected Members (EMs) Good Relations Forum – the EMs are discussing and have already proposed to take the lead on hosting a future GR event.

Information regarding Good Relations is included in the community services Resources newsletter.

A good Relations small grants scheme has been delivered and the impact monitored.

Council continues to lead on a number of Good Relations projects and awareness raising events.

Council has produced a DVD highlighting how we work in partnership with USEL, the Cedar Foundation and Triangle Progression to Employment Services to offer work opportunities to people with disabilities (copy enclosed).

CAN Peace III Play Fair Programme – Project ‘Sports Jam’. In December 2012 Antrim Borough Council was awarded £12,000 from the CAN Peace III Play Fair programme, to deliver a CAN Peace III project called ‘Sports Jam’. Aim: To build good relations through sport. Within the Sports Jam project there are two sub projects as follows:

Boxing – Antrim Boxing Club and Newtownabbey Boxing Club

Netball – Antrim Ladies Netball Club and BAllyclare Junior Netball Club

The clubs took part in joint training sessions, residential, good relations workshops – whilst meeting their Sports stars.

The Boxing project was completed in May 2013 and the Netball project will be completed in October 2013.

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Section 2: Examples of Section 75 Outcomes / ImpactsGiven the renewed focus of Section 75 aiming to achieve more tangible impacts and outcomes and addressing key inequalities; please report in this section how the authority’s work has impacted on individuals across the Section 75 categories. Consider narrative in the following structure:

o Describe the action measure /section 75 process undertaken.o Who was affected across the Section 75 categories?o What impact it achieved?

Outline change in policy or practice which have resulted in outcomes

Tick if result of EQIA

Persons of different religious belief

Equality in Employment Action Plan Interview skills days for schools Value and behaviour objective in all

section plans Work life balance policy Dignity & Respect at work Training Disability Awareness Training Good Relations Programme

Persons of different political opinion

Equality in Employment Action Plan Value and behaviour objective in all

section plans Work life balance policy Dignity & Respect at work Training Disability Awareness Training Good Relations Programme

Persons of different racial groups


section plans Work life balance policy Dignity & Respect at work Training EID programme Disability Awareness Training Good Relations Programme

Persons of different age

Equality in Employment Action Plan Interview skills days for schools Value and behaviour objective in all

section plans Work life balance policy Dignity & Respect at work Training Active Communities programme

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Disability Awareness TrainingPersons with different marital status


section plans Work life balance policy Dignity & Respect at work Training Disability Awareness Training

Persons of different sexual orientation



Men and women generally


section plans Work life balance policy Dignity & Respect at work Training Active Communities programme Disability Awareness Training

Persons with and without a disability

Partnership with Employers for Disability NI

Equality in Employment Action Plan Work life balance policy Dignity & Respect at work Training Active Communities programme Disability Awareness Training

Persons with and without dependants



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Please give examples of changes to policies or practices using screening or EQIA, which have resulted in outcomes or impacts for individuals. If the change was a result of an EQIA please indicate this and also reference the title of the relevant EQIA.

(Enter text below)

Please give examples of outcomes or impacts on individuals as a result of any action measures undertaken as part of your Section 75 action plan:(Enter text below)

Please give examples of outcomes or impacts on individuals as a result of any other Section 75 processes e.g. consultation or monitoring: (Enter text below)

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Section 3: ScreeningPlease provide an update of new / proposed / revised policies screened during the year.

For those authorities that have started issuing of screening reports in year; this section may be completed in part by appending, to this annual report, a copy of all screening reports issued within the reporting period.

Where screening reports have not been issued, for part or all of the reporting period, please complete the table below:

Title of policy subject to screening

What was the screening

decision? E.g. screened in,

screened out, mitigation, EQIA…

Were any concerns

raised about screening by consultees;

including the Commission?

Is policy being subject to

EQIA? Yes/No If yes indicate

timeline for assessment.

Purchase of burial plots by residents and non-residents

No need to change or amend the revised policy as all Section 75 groups are treated equally within the revised policy

No No

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Section 4: Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) Please provide an update of policies subject to EQIA during 2012-13, stage 7 EQIA monitoring activities and an indicative EQIA timetable for 2013-14.

EQIA Timetable: April 2012 - March 2013

Title of Policy EQIA EQIA Stage at end March 2013 (Steps

1-6)

Outline adjustments to policy intended to benefit individuals and the relevant Section 75 categories

due to be affected.

Where the EQIA timetable for 2012-13 (as detailed in the previous annual S75 progress report to the Commission) has not been met, please provide details of the factors responsible for delay and details of the timetable for re-scheduling the EQIA/s in question.(Enter text below)

Ongoing EQIA Monitoring Activities: April 2012- March 2013

Title of EQIA subject to Stage 7 monitoring

Indicate if differential impacts previously

identified have reduced or increased

Indicate if adverse impacts previously identified have

reduced or increased

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Please outline any proposals, arising from the authority’s monitoring for adverse impacts, for revision of the policy to achieve better outcomes the relevant equality groups:(Enter text below)

2013-14 EQIA Timetable

Title of EQIAsdue to be commenced during

April 2013 – March 2014

Revised or New policy?

Please indicate expected timescale of Decision

Making stage i.e. Stage 6

Section 5: Training Please outline training provision during the year associated with the Section 75 Duties / Equality Scheme requirements including types of training provision and conclusions from any training evaluations.

Good Relations Training for all staff and elected members

Refresher training on Dignity and Respect at Work and Disability Awareness

Attendance at Disability Champion Workshops (Local Government Staff Commission initiative)

Council’s Customer Service team attended training raising autism awareness, basic sign language training, world host and exemplar world host training programmes.

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Section 6: Communication Please outline how the authority communicated progress on delivery of the Section 75 Duties during the year and evidence of the impact / success of such activities.

Council continues to communicate with the community in a number of ways:

Borough Magazine (Council Eye), published 3 times per year.

A magazine (Active Antrim) promotes recreational facilities in the Borough

Council Website and Publication Scheme.

Minutes of Council and Committees are public documents.

Progress regarding Equality In Employment Action Plan is reported to Council twice each year

Equality updates are communicated through staff newsletter(Talkabout)

All Council events/activities promoting Good Relations and inclusiveness are publicised in the press and on Council’s website

Provision of annual bin collection calendar and general recycling advice


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Section 7: Data Collection & AnalysisPlease outline any systems that were established during the year to supplement available statistical and qualitative research or any research undertaken / commissioned to obtain information on the needs and experiences of individuals from the nine categories covered by Section 75, including the needs and experiences of people with multiple identities.

Council’s Good Relations Strategy is being implemented.

Information regarding Good Relations is included in the community services Resources newsletter.

A good Relations small grants scheme has been delivered and the impact monitored.

Council continues to lead on a number of Good Relations projects and awareness raising events.

Please outline any use of the Commission’s Section 75 Monitoring Guide.

Section 8: Information Provision, Access to Information and ServicesPlease provide details of any initiatives / steps taken during the year, including take up, to improve access to services; including provision of information in accessible formats.

Recruitment and Selection – on-line recruitment has been introduced to improve access to information, adjustments have been made to occupational testing on request e.g. for candidates with visual impairment all papers were provided in larger font size and feedback from candidate was excellent.

Council continue to support a member of the Customer Service team in achieving qualifications in sign language to improve access to services for those customers who have a hearing impairment.

Information regarding the Northern Ireland Strategic Migration Partnership website http://www.migrationni.org/ is given out to those that need it or may find it useful.


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Section 9: ComplaintsPlease identify the number of Section 75 related complaints:

received and resolved by the authority (including how this was achieved);

which were not resolved to the satisfaction of the complainant; which were referred to the Equality Commission.

No Section 75 related complaints were received by the Council in this year

Section 10: Consultation and EngagementPlease provide details of the measures taken to enhance the level of engagement with individuals and representative groups during the year.

Please outline any use of the Commission's guidance on consulting with and involving children and young people.

We have undertaken a number of activities in line with the guidance on consulting with children and young people.

Project Consultee/Engagement GroupInternational Wheelchair Basketball Competition (Pre-Olympic Event) at Antrim Forum5 Star Challenge with Primary School Children in the run up to the event.

Disability Sport NI

One World Day – ethnic arts, crafts, dance and music

Antrim Primary School 700 pupils

International Day of Tolerance – Humanity in War workshop provided by the Red Cross

32 pupils from Parkhall Integrated College and Antrim Grammar School

Cultural Coach Programme – ethnic arts, craft, dance and music delivered over 6 weeks

Rathenraw youth scheme 14 young people aged 12 to 16 years

8 week Youth citizenship programme 8 Detached young people aged 13 – 17 years in Springfarm

Ethnic arts and crafts Young people attending Tir Na nOg festival (100 people total)

Carol concert Local primary schoolsCaribean Storytelling – 6 sessions 25 children aged 4 – 5 years St Comgalls

playgroupCaribbean Storytelling Family Caring Centre and Kids Cabin

Summer Schemes 24 children aged 4 – 5 years

Caribbean Storytelling 17 children aged 4 – 5 years in

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Tannaghmore playgroupCultural Coach programme - ethnic arts, craft, dance and music delivered over 6 weeks

St Comgall’s playgroup 25 children aged 4 – 5 years

Indian Culture Workshop 12 girls aged 14 – 16 years Parkhall Integrated College

GR Residential Antrim boxing Club 12 young men aged 12 to 25 years

Primary School Basketball challenge 63 pupils from Templepatrick P.S; St Joseph’s Antrim, Loanends P.S, Groggan P.S, Maine Integrated P.S, Mount St Michaels P.S, Round Tower P.S, Tannaghmore P.S, and Ballycraigy P.S

Forgiveness Programme 60 Children from Mount St Michael and Randalstown Central Primary Schools

Exploring global cultures 24 young people from St Joseph’s Antrim Eco club

GR Residential 24 young people from Rathenraw youth scheme and St Comgall’s Youth Club

Inclusion Day – ethnic arts, crafts, sports, and storytelling

30 Primary school aged children from Randalstown that had attended Neillsbrook Community Development Group’s Summer Scheme

Facilitated meeting re trouble in Randalstown

13 young people aged 14 – 19 years from Randalstown

GR Programme and facilitated meetings 14 young people associated with Randalstown Cultural Awareness Group

One day GR conversation and drama 9 young people from Rathenraw (and a group from Newtownabbey)

Residential at Todds Leap 33 young people aged 14 to 18 years from Cumlin due to increased tension around the 12 July

Cool FM bus delivering Respect programme

10 young people each from Greystone, Rathenraw and Crumlin

We liaise directly with our customers on a daily basis to encourage feedback on Council services and carry out a specific survey every week. We are the only Council with a customer services team specifically dedicated to customer needs.

Litter picks: these would be organized in conjunction with various schools and local community groups throughout the Borough. This enables a hands on approach for education on the importance of looking after the environment. Any ideas submitted by the children are used in service delivery if possible.

Borough Warden Road Shows: this service offers doorstep advice/education on dog control and pollution issues. A number of items such as pens and pencils, with environmental messages printed on the side, are passed out to all children in that

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area. This enables the opportunity for positive interaction between Council wardens and the local youth.

School educational programs: all school pupils are given a power point presentation on looking after the environment which again encourages positive interaction with Council.

Environmental awareness events: local children are invited to come all along and take part in various environmental activities.

Evening and weekend presentations on various environmental management subjects were provided to groups and events including; Greenmount College, Womens Institute, Scouts, Churches, etc.

A Borough-wide Fairtrade committee consisting of public representatives, members of various community groups and supermarket representatives (Tesco) meets a number of times per year to organise and promote community Fairtrade events and products

arc21 Education Bus

The arc21 bus has visited schools in the Borough this year with the pupils receiving a presentation from a trained educator on recycling issues.

Biodiversity

A range of schools and colleges have been involved in biodiversity projects, ranging from presentations, to clean-ups, and developing window displays for the Antrim Forum celebrating the wildlife along the Six Mile Water.

Environmental Youth Speak

All 32 schools in the Borough were invited to attend and 6 took part in the competition making presentations on how the pupils would go about promotion of reduce, reuse and recycling instead of sending waste to landfill.

The winners from Parkhall Secondary School and Templepatrick Primary School went onto represent the Borough at the Northern Ireland Final.

Calls are regularly received from schools requesting information on a range of environmental issues, including technical advice and equipment requests.

These events all ensure that children and young people are encouraged to interact in a positive way with Council.

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Section 11: The Good Relations DutyPlease provide details of additional steps taken to implement or progress the good relations duty during the year. Please indicate any findings or expected outcomes from this work.

Good Relations Training for all staff and elected members

We are implementing the Good Relations Strategy and Action Plan. Throughout the year the Good Relations Programme supported 60 events that engaged with 2,100 people with financial support from OFMDFM. The programme engaged with 9 predominately PUL groups, 17 predominately CNR groups and 25 predominately mixed groups. Most of these groups have included someone from an ethnic minority.

Key successes have included

- Organising a Lambeg drum and drummer for an event in Toomebridge, predominantly a CNR area.

- Continued dialogue around a range of sensitive issues through the Civic Forum.- Establishment of an Elected Members (EMs) Good Relations Forum. The EMs are discussing and have already proposed to take the lead on hosting a future GR event.

(a) The GR impacts/ outcomes to the community. Meetings and dialogues programmes have assisted with the airing of issues. Engaging with celebration events in local areas allows us to reach a wider

audience. Courses allow for the enhancement of people knowledge and understanding. Awareness Raising events allow us to reach out to a variety of audiences. Cultural awareness trips increase the participant’s knowledge of the places

visited and of other communities. The trip was to Crumlin Road Gaol and we were accompanied by an ex-political prisoner. This enables participants to be aware of ‘others’ and their history and how this history can be the same but told or experienced differently.

Accredited course OCN Level 1 Good Relations and Civic Leadership – unfortunately the attendance was poor and the programme had to be cancelled.

One residential allowed us to enhance young people’s knowledge and understanding and allowed them to build a develop relationship. The other enabled us to take young people away from a particular geographical area at a time of heightened tension.

Graffiti removal helps to neutralise areas.

Council has invested heavily in working with communities to reduce the impact of Bonfires and to transform the events into community festivals.

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Please outline any use of the Commission’s Good Relations Guide.

We ensure that all of our activities in the area of Good Relations are in line with the principles of the guide.

Section 12: Additional Comments Please provide any additional information/comments.

Antrim Borough Council’s Customer Service team based at the Civic Centre and in the centre of Antrim town in the Old Courthouse liaise directly with our customers on a daily basis to encourage feedback on Council services. We are the only Council within the province with a customer service team specifically dedicated to resolving, as far as possible, customer queries at the first point of contact.

This year the Customer Service team achieved the Gold Star Customer Excellence Award from the Centre of Competitiveness. This award measures performance against the 7 consumer tests which includes access to services.

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Part B: ‘Disability Duties’ Annual Report 1 April 2012 / 31 March 2013

1. How many action measures for this reporting period have been

Fully Partially Not Achieved? Achieved? Achieved?

2. Please outline the following detail on all actions that have been fully achieved in the reporting period.

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2 (a) Please highlight what public life measures have been achieved to encourage disabled people to participate in public life at National, Regional and Local levels:

Level Public Life Action Measures Outputs1 Outcomes / Impact2

National3

Regional4

Local5

1 Outputs – defined as act of producing, amount of something produced over a period, processes undertaken to implement the action measure e.g. Undertook 10 training sessions with 100 people at customer service level. 2 Outcome / Impact – what specifically and tangibly has changed in making progress towards the duties? What impact can directly be attributed to taking this action? Indicate the results of undertaking this action e.g. Evaluation indicating a tangible shift in attitudes before and after training.3 National : Situations where people can influence policy at a high impact level e.g. Public Appointments4 Regional: Situations where people can influence policy decision making at a middle impact level5 Local : Situations where people can influence policy decision making at lower impact level e.g. one off consultations, local fora.

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2(b) What training action measures were achieved in this reporting period?

Training Action Measures Outputs Outcome / Impact 1

Disability Awareness Training

Bespoke training delivered across Council

Increased awareness of importance of disability awareness

2 Dignity and respect at work Bespoke training delivered across council

Increased awareness of importance of treating everyone asan individualin line with council values and behaviours

3

2(c) What Positive attitudes action measures in the area of Communications were achieved in this reporting period?

Communications Action Measures

Outputs Outcome / Impact

1Values and Behaviours

Details of Values and Associated Behaviours circulated to staff and set as Section and Individual Objectives

Staff understand how to promote dignity & respect within the workplace

2 Employer of Choice Working Group

Diversity regularly promoted through monthly working group meetings

Increased awareness of diversity issues and actions being taken

3 Equality in Employment Action Plan

Action plan regularly updated and actions communicated to Elected Members and staff

Disability awareness effectively promoted through all aspects of employment

4

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2 (d) What action measures were achieved to ‘encourage others’ to promote the two duties:

Encourage others Action Measures

Outputs Outcome / Impact

1 Partnerships with providers of work experience opportunities for those with disabilities – ongoing.

Work experience opportunities provided on an ongoing basis

Individuals gained experience of the workplace and built self-esteems and life skills

2

3

2 (e) Please outline any additional action measures that were fully achieved other than those listed in the tables above:

Action Measures fully implemented (other than Training and specific public life measures)

Outputs Outcomes / Impact

1 Individual Action Planning Action Plans are developed and implemented to ensure employees with disabilities can remain in work or return to work following absence as required

Improved attendance and performance as applicable.

2

3

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3. Please outline what action measures have been partly achieved as follows:

Action Measures partly achieved

Milestones6 / Outputs

Outcomes/Impacts Reasons not fully achieved

1

2

3

4

4. Please outline what action measures have not been achieved and the reasons why?

Action Measures not met Reasons1

2

3

5. What monitoring tools have been put in place to evaluate the degree to which actions have been effective / develop new opportunities for action?

6 Milestones – Please outline what part progress has been made towards the particular measures; even if full output or outcomes/ impact have not been achieved.

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(a) Qualitative____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(b) Quantitative____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. As a result of monitoring progress against actions has your organisation either: made any revisions to your plan during the reporting period or taken any additional steps to meet the disability duties which were not outlined in your original

disability action plan / any other changes? Please delete: Yes / No

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If yes please outline below:

Revised/Additional Action Measures Performance Indicator Timescale1

2

3

4

5

7. Do you intend to make any further revisions to your plan in light of your organisation’s annual review of the plan? If so, please outline proposed changes?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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