Proposed Performance Improvement Objectives 2026 to 2027

Objective 1

We will reduce the number of days sickness absence lost per employee.

92% Agree we should do this.

You said:

Suggestions from feedback included continued access to health professionals including mental health and wellbeing support, a review of the absence policy and the current absence target of 16 days.

We did:

Council supports health, mental health and wellbeing in several ways including a long-established Health and Wellbeing Committee which runs several activities throughout the year, providing information and signposting staff to external support organisations.

Council has a pool of trained Mental Health First Aiders who are promoted to staff, a dedicated wellbeing page on the employee intranet, and a 24-hour confidential support service that employees can access 365 days a year.

The management of staff absence will continue to be a priority for Council in 2026-27 with a focus on tackling the main reasons for absence. Council recognises that absence levels are high and will continue to benchmark itself against other organisations.  Research has shown that all organisations, both private and public sector are showing increased absence levels.

The Attendance Management Policy is being kept under constant review. The current target of 16 days will remain until it has been achieved. 

Training on absence management is being rolled out across the organisation for those with line management responsibility. Council has improved access to sickness absence data which is regularly reviewed and reported at senior management level.

Objective 2

We will reduce Council’s environmental impact through the development and implementation of a Climate & Sustainability Action Plan.

96% Agree we should do this.

You said:

Responses to this performance improvement objective included suggestions for Council to adopt more green initiatives, such as installing solar panels, going paperless where possible and promoting sustainable travel. Respondents also expressed a desire for more education around Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, provision of allotments and workshops on gardening.

Respondents also wanted to see the introduction of sustainable procurement, reintroduction of ‘Renew’ stores and the reintroduction of reduced collection of organic waste over the winter months.

We did:

Climate action is a priority within the Corporate Plan and a Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 2025-2030 has been developed which will address a lot of the issues raised by respondents. The 5-year action plan includes 5 themes: Energy, Transport, Governance, Environment and Resources. Council is committed to delivering the Climate & Sustainability Action Plan that will protect our environment, improve our services, and benefit residents across the borough. From implementing sustainable purchasing practices, expanding cycle paths and promoting renewable energy like solar, to enhancing biodiversity through tree planting and reduced grass cutting, our initiatives are designed to build a more sustainable future while safeguarding value for the ratepayer. This action plan will be monitored and reported on regularly.

Council currently supports Eco-Schools and engages with various stakeholders and community organisations to provide outreach activities to promote the 3 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) through the Environmental Community Engagement Team.  Council also supports Northern Ireland Resources Network who aim to integrate reuse and repair into everyday life.

Northern Ireland Resources Network

The Environmental Services Waste Team are instrumental in monitoring and reviewing waste data that influences Councils approach to waste collections.

Objective 3

We will improve our Waste Management Services through the implementation of technological solutions and continued communications.

100% Agreed we should do this.

You said:

Feedback from respondents included that they would like to see more litter wardens, heftier fines for those that litter, and more to be done about finding the perpetrators. Some respondents are keen to see that waste technological solutions inform decision making around route collections and frequency as well as informing customers if a bin collection route is likely to be impacted. There was a suggestion that Council employees don’t recycle in house and there is a need for internal messaging as well as external. Respondents would like to see all communications in an easy read format.

We did:

Council continues to work with the Environmental Health Enforcement team to identify the source and issue fines as appropriate. A wider review of street cleansing is currently underway which will review current resources and the future needs of the service.

A programme of work is well underway to implement all aspects of route optimisation which will inform the selected software for bin collections. The software will help to identify any potential issues which officers can these communicate as necessary.

The Environmental Services Department now works closely with Design and Communication team to provide a bespoke communication plan for all our service improvements. Much of our literature is in icons to encourage better recycling. Our literature is available on the website in various languages.

Objective 4

We will improve the Council’s Cemetery Service to ensure a safe, high quality, customer focused and resilient bereavement service.

100% agreed we should do this

You said:

Several respondents commented on how the current cemetery staff are very courteous and thoughtful and that any improvement would be welcomed. Respondents also suggested that cemeteries be considered for other suitable activities.

We did:

The positive feedback has been shared with Cemetery Manager to pass on to all staff.  Council are in the process of agreeing a Memorandum of Understanding with a local cross-community group are hopeful this will be the first of many arrangements between Council and volunteer groups to better promote and utilise our cemeteries. The cross-community Group will host tours and events within Shankill Graveyard in Lurgan and it is anticipated that similar arrangements will be taken forward in partnership with other volunteer groups in the future.

Through Council’s Memorandum of Understanding and through the recently agreed Cemetery Strategy, Officers will be working to make a number of improvements at Lurgan Cemetery and the wider cemetery service.

Objective 5

We will improve recruitment processes to ensure vacancies are filled in a timely manner

88% agreed we should do this.

You said:

Respondents included current council officers that have found this process to be very slow and therefore this improvement objective is a positive one.  Respondents wanted more consideration to be given to posts for individuals with a disability/consideration of work placement job support for individuals with disabilities.  Some respondents had concerns that the current recruitment process rewards those that can be coached into giving responses that contain ‘buzz’ words and not the ability to do the job.

Those that disagreed with the improvement objective stated that there was no SMART target and that timely recruitment was not currently happening.

We did:

Council recognise that there are opportunities for improvement within the current recruitment process and this is why it was selected as an objective for 2026/27. Council currently facilitates reasonable adjustments as appropriate and facilitates work placements when requested ensuring equality for all.  Council has recently been awarded Disability Positive Accreditation ‘AAA’ by Employers for Disability NI.

The Council is committed to equality of opportunity for all prospective employees. All staff who take part in a decision making or advisory capacity in a recruitment process will have completed the Council’s recruitment and selection training including training on equality issues. Council has adopted a recruitment procedure which aligns with Northern Ireland’s legislative framework and the Local Government Staff Commission for Northern Ireland Code of Procedures on Recruitment and Selection.

Timescale for recruitment are set out within the recruitment procedure and can vary depending on role.

We also asked you for feedback on where we could improve generally.

You said:

Several respondents felt there should be more communication/advertising around existing services, examples given were the additional bin for people with medical conditions and the varied classes that are provided through the recreation centres.

Some respondents would like to see more investment in Armagh area, namely nightlife.

More activities for people with disabilities in leisure centres, Buddy cards for children with Autism, Autism friendly swims.

Residents would like to see more grass cutting, litter lifting, cleaning of graffiti and maintaining signs.

Concerns around the number of HMO (Houses of Multiple Occupancy) approvals in the borough, having an impact on the number of family homes, parking and congestion.

We did:

Council currently provide information on additional bin/assistance available on the corporate website. This is available on the Resident Section within the Bins & Recycling tab. All class timetables are available to view on the GetActive ABC Website, under the Resident Section and at each facility.

In relation to nightlife, Council delivers and supports a range of evening events (e.g. festivals, markets and cultural programming) which help animate the city centre and increase footfall after 5pm. There is ongoing engagement with local businesses, including the hospitality sector, to identify opportunities and challenges relating to daytime/evening trade. Campaigns such as Shop ABC and Urban ABC are used to encourage people to visit and stay longer in the city centre, including into the evening.

The Inclusive ABC website provides details on quiet swims and concessions that apply to carers:

Inclusive Information | Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

Grass cutting and street cleansing is delivered in a scheduled rota basis as well as in response to identified service needs. Council is only responsible for cutting of grass within their ownership and responsibility.

Council has a team of Environmental Wardens who carry out patrols across the Borough in respect of abandoned and nuisance vehicles, littering, dog fouling, fly-posting, graffiti and illegally disposing of waste.

Houses of Multiple Occupancy are subject to planning approvals by Council. Within the legislation it states that council may grant a HMO licence only if it is satisfied of certain criteria including that it will not result in overprovision of HMOs in the locality in which the living accommodation is situated.