Council Remain Focused on Delivering High Quality Services Across District

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council approved their Assessment of Performance at last weeks Strategy, Policy and Resources Committee.

Throughout the past year, the Council has remained focused on delivering high-quality services across the district. Protecting the environment and promoting sustainability continue to be key priorities, with residents and visitors alike enjoying the district’s outstanding natural beauty.

Speaking about the assessment, Committee Chairperson Councillor Oonagh Hanlon said, “I am pleased to present this year’s Assessment of Performance. It provides us with an important opportunity to reflect on what we’ve achieved, recognise the successes we can be proud of, and identify the areas where further improvement is needed.”

Some of the updates in the 2024/25 assessment include:

Environment

The district earned five Green Flag awards and three Blue Flag accreditations for its parks and beaches. The Council supported 100% of community clean-up requests and achieved the second lowest level of waste sent to landfill across all NI Councils.  Municipal waste sent to landfill was reduced from 932 tonnes in 2023–24 to 429 tonnes in 2024/25 – representing a 54% decrease. While these achievements are encouraging, efforts to further reduce waste generation and strengthen environmental protection remain ongoing.

Economy and Community

Through a range of economic development programmes, the Council supported 231 local businesses and social enterprises, contributing to the creation of 222 new jobs. In addition, £1.91 million was awarded through the Financial Assistance Scheme, supporting 391 local community projects.

Planning Services

During 2024/25 Planning Services remained a focus. The Council met the statutory target for processing major planning applications during the year. However, the statutory standards for local planning applications and enforcement were not fully achieved, and work is ongoing to improve performance in these areas.

Health and Wellbeing

Investment continued in community trails and leisure facilities, with strong public engagement. Over 20,000 people took part in targeted health programmes, and more than 737,000 paid visits were recorded across the district’s six leisure centres. Delivery of major Capital Projects were progressed, including Dunleath Urban Sports Park and a new Multi-Sports Hub at Donard Park. 

Looking ahead, the Council’s Corporate Plan 2024–27 and Performance Improvement Plan 2025–26 will guide efforts to enhance the quality of life for residents and build a thriving, sustainable district for all.

Full details of the Council’s 2024–25 performance will be published on the Council website by 30 September 2025: www.newrymournedown.org