Recycling overhaul, struggling town centres and health challenges at centre of council’s blueprint for MEA

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon launched the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Performance Improvement Plan 2026/27

Recycling performance has fallen, town centres are perceived to be in decline and almost half of households across Mid and East Antrim are affected by long-term health conditions or disabilities.

Those are among the challenges identified by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council as it unveiled a year-ahead improvement plan that includes a major blue wheelie bin recycling overhaul, new civic spaces in Ballymena town centre, investment in parks and play facilities, and a target to help 100 people into employment.

The council’s 2026/27 Performance Improvement Plan sets out a series of measurable commitments, projects and performance targets designed to improve quality of life across the borough through three core objectives focused on People, Place and Planet.

Developed following a 12-week consultation involving 160 participants, the plan received 93% support for each of its three proposed objectives. The consultation included residents, businesses, community groups and stakeholders from across the borough, with 38% of respondents coming from the Ballymena area, 34% from Carrickfergus and 20% from Larne.

The document combines consultation feedback, Census data, citizen surveys and performance analysis to identify what the council believes are the key challenges facing Mid and East Antrim and how it intends to respond over the coming year.

Blue wheelie bin recycling overhaul planned across the borough

One of the biggest changes affecting households will be the introduction of a new dry recycling collection service centred on a simplified blue wheelie bin model.

The council says recycling systems currently vary across the borough and acknowledges that overall recycling performance has declined, with household recycling rates falling to 50.8% during 2024/25.

Recycling emerged as one of the strongest themes during public consultation, with residents calling for simpler systems, cleaner communities and stronger environmental action.

Citizens specifically highlighted a desire for easier recycling arrangements, including single-bin collections, while cost, convenience and time were identified as major barriers preventing people from taking environmental action.

The council says the new dry recycling collection service is intended to respond directly to those concerns while helping meet increasingly demanding environmental targets.

The rollout is scheduled for completion by 31 July 2027.

The plan notes that legislative changes under the EU Circular Economy Package introduced a municipal recycling target of 65% and a landfill target of less than 10% by 2035.

To support those requirements, Mid and East Antrim has committed to ensuring at least 50% of household waste collected is recycled by March 2027.

The council also aims to keep biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill below 16,387 tonnes and limit total municipal waste arisings to less than 79,500 tonnes.

The recycling overhaul is described within the council’s own press release as a major project that will begin during the year ahead and is intended to improve recycling services while supporting environmental sustainability.

Town centres ‘widely perceived to be in decline’

The plan contains a frank assessment of the challenges facing town centres across Mid and East Antrim.

According to consultation findings, town centres are widely perceived to be in decline, with residents highlighting vacant and derelict buildings, accessibility concerns, cleanliness issues and a lack of vibrancy.

Respondents identified a need for improved shopfronts, better use of vacant properties, stronger support for local businesses and investment in public spaces.

Against that backdrop, the council has committed to progressing the design development of two civic spaces in Ballymena town centre by March 2027.

It also plans to deliver its Shopfront Improvement Scheme and continue initiatives aimed at increasing footfall, encouraging local spending and strengthening town centre vitality.

A programme of town centre activity is also planned, with the council targeting the delivery of 15 town centre events across Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus.

The authority says supporting local businesses and creating vibrant places remains central to its wider ambitions for economic growth.

Strong employment levels but lower-than-average earnings

While the council notes that employment and economic activity levels remain relatively strong compared with Northern Ireland averages, it also identifies economic challenges affecting residents.

The plan states that average earnings in Mid and East Antrim remain below the Northern Ireland average, while disposable income across Northern Ireland is the lowest in the UK.

Residents who took part in consultation highlighted skills development, apprenticeships, start-up support and improved access to funding as important priorities for creating opportunities and strengthening the local economy.

The council has therefore committed to delivering employment and skills programmes involving 200 participants by March 2027.

It also aims to support 100 people into employment and help residents achieve 150 qualifications through training and skills development initiatives.

The authority will additionally work towards achieving statutory targets for jobs promoted through business start-up interventions.

Almost half of households affected by long-term health conditions or disabilities

Some of the most striking statistics contained within the plan relate to health, wellbeing and accessibility.

According to Census data referenced by the council, 25% of individuals and 45% of households in Mid and East Antrim are affected by long-term health conditions or disabilities.

The borough’s population profile also highlights an ageing population, with people aged between 40 and 64 accounting for 34% of residents, those aged 65 and over representing 20%, people aged 15 to 39 making up 29%, and children aged under 15 accounting for 17%.

The council says there is strong demand for affordable, safe and inclusive activities, particularly for children and young people, and that such opportunities can help improve wellbeing while reducing anti-social behaviour.

It also notes relatively low levels of satisfaction with physical and emotional health, with one in four citizens not taking part in weekly exercise.

Three new Changing Places facilities planned

To address accessibility challenges, the council has committed to installing three new Changing Places facilities across the borough by March 2027.

The facilities provide larger accessible toilet and changing spaces for people with complex disabilities who require additional equipment or support from carers.

The council will also establish a Disability Lived Experience Group by December 2026, giving people with lived experience of disability an opportunity to help identify barriers and shape future service improvements.

Other commitments include delivering an Inclusive Summer Opportunities Grants Scheme by September 2026 and progressing an Amateur and Grassroots Sporting Organisations Improvement Fund by March 2027.

The authority says improving access to activities that support health, wellbeing and inclusion is a key objective for the year ahead.

Carnfunnock upgrades and new public spaces

Parks and open spaces featured prominently during consultation, with residents describing them as important assets for health, recreation and community wellbeing.

However, concerns were also raised about maintenance, accessibility and anti-social behaviour in some locations.

In response, the council plans to refurbish one play park by June 2027 and open a new play park and bike park at Carnfunnock Country Park by the same date.

A pop-up park is also due to be delivered in Larne town centre by July 2026.

The projects form part of wider plans to enhance accessible and inclusive outdoor recreational spaces across the borough.

The council’s accompanying press release also highlights the reopening of the revitalised Carnfunnock Park as one of the major projects contained within the plan.

Cleaner streets, less litter and more trees

Environmental concerns extend beyond recycling.

The council reports that street cleanliness currently stands at 66%, broadly in line with the Northern Ireland average, but identifies littering, dog fouling and fly-tipping as continuing concerns.

Residents called for stronger enforcement, more litter bins, improved education, increased street cleaning and greater attention to rural areas.

To respond, the council plans to launch a Tree and Woodland Strategy and deliver a borough-wide Civic Pride campaign by March 2027.

The plan also commits to protecting and enhancing green spaces through biodiversity initiatives, increased planting and sustainable land management.

Planning service handed clear targets

The Performance Improvement Plan also sets measurable benchmarks for the planning service.

The council aims to achieve an average median processing time of 30 weeks for major planning applications and 15 weeks for local planning applications by March 2027.

At least 70% of planning enforcement cases are also targeted to be concluded within 39 weeks.

The figures will provide a clear benchmark for future performance as planning applications continue to come forward across the borough.

Mayor says plan will help improve quality of life

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon, said the plan reflects the council’s commitment to delivering positive outcomes for residents while supporting future economic growth.

“Our vision is to be a strong, vibrant, safe and inclusive community, where people work together to improve the quality of life for all,” he said.

“The delivery of high-quality services for our residents is important, and we remain committed to improving how we work. Partnership working with our residents and other stakeholders will support planned improvements that enhance the quality of life and environment for our ratepayers and communities.

“Alongside the Mid and East Antrim Community Plan and our own Corporate Plan, this annual Performance Improvement Plan enables us to deliver the best outcomes for our residents, communities, businesses and visitors.

“The progression of our City Deal projects will also strengthen tourism assets and grow our economic potential.”

The council says the Performance Improvement Plan forms part of its wider commitment to continuous improvement and ensuring Mid and East Antrim remains a thriving place to live, work and visit.

What happens next

Progress against the plan will be monitored throughout the year through a series of reporting arrangements involving senior management, councillors and council committees.

Residents are also being encouraged to play their part by recycling more, reducing litter, supporting local businesses, getting involved in community initiatives and helping identify barriers experienced by disabled people.

From blue wheelie bin recycling changes and cleaner streets to new Ballymena civic spaces, disability access improvements, employment programmes and major investment in public spaces, the council has set out one of its most detailed roadmaps in recent years for how it intends to improve life across Mid and East Antrim.

The full Performance Improvement Plan can be viewed at: midandeastantrim.gov.uk/PIP