Issues and SWOT

strength

Access improvements support existing services

Stiles Centre’s completed work serves established community organisations and family support.

Proposed response: Check that the new routes work for users with different access needs.

Evidence

strength

Bring support closer to people in poor health

7.3% of people reported bad or very bad health in Antrim and Newtownabbey council area (21 March 2021). Across Northern Ireland, the figure was 7.7%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 3.7% in Jordanstown to 15% in O'Neill — a gap of 11.3 percentage points.

This is how residents described their health in the census. It can reveal differences between neighbourhoods, but does not diagnose illness or measure current waiting times. Age profiles differ between places, so these shares do not measure service quality.

weakness

A play-park repair target is not a reopening

John Street was closed in August while the neighbouring roof was repaired.

Proposed response: Confirm the safe reopening and keep families informed.

Evidence

weakness

Make room for homes people can afford

The average home price is £206,000 (July 2026) in Antrim and Newtownabbey council area. This is about £4,000 higher than the Northern Ireland average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 3.8% in Jordanstown to 24.9% in Randalstown — a gap of 21.2 percentage points.

Housing costs matter most alongside earnings and the number of affordable homes available. A local average cannot tell us whether a particular household can afford its home.

opportunity

Turn specialist facilities into local business use

The manufacturing centre is open with engineering support and equipment.

Proposed response: Help smaller local firms and trainees access the facilities.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

17.2% of people in Antrim and Newtownabbey council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 7.6% in Mallusk to 28.6% in Carnmoney — a gap of 21 percentage points.

Age alone does not mean poor health or a need for care. Accessible homes, reliable transport and support close to home matter as people get older.

opportunity

Connect local skills to local opportunities

31.5% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Antrim and Newtownabbey council area. Across Northern Ireland, the figure was 32.1%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 8.9% in Rostulla to 38% in O'Neill — a gap of 29.1 percentage points.

Qualifications show one part of the skills available locally. They do not show whether people have secure jobs or work that uses those skills.

opportunity

Target safety work where problems repeat

Mapped police records are available for neighbourhoods in Antrim and Newtownabbey council area.

Published locations are approximate and some crimes are not mapped. Counts show recorded incidents, not the chance of an individual becoming a victim.

opportunity

Turn published plans into visible progress

3 named local projects or plans have official evidence in this collection.

A published plan makes responsibilities and intentions easier to inspect. It does not prove that funding is secured or that promised benefits have arrived.

threat

Regional forecasts are not local results

The centre announcement contains Northern Ireland-wide forecasts to 2050.

Proposed response: Report achieved borough and regional outcomes separately.

Evidence