Identifying our performance improvement objectives for 2026-2027
All our key strategies and plans are informed and developed by listening to our residents, businesses, partners, staff, and elected representatives. Our 2026-2027 performance improvement objectives were developed through a three-phase process. In phase one, we reviewed the evidence base, in phase two, we engaged internally and in phase three, we conducted public consultation. The rich and diverse analysis and feedback we received throughout this process has been shaped into this revitalised Performance Improvement Plan 2026-2027.
Three-phase process
- Phase one: Review the evidence base
- Phase two: Engagement feedback
- Phase three: Public consultation
- Improvement objectives, delivery, and performance indicators approved
Phase one: Reviewing the evidence base
Understanding the needs of users, citizens and the internal and external environment is critically important. We analysed baseline evidence drawn from existing engagement findings, survey results, performance data and a review of relevant strategies and plans, including:
- results and trend data from our 2025-2026 Performance Improvement Assessment report.
- ongoing monitoring and review of 2025-2026 Corporate Delivery Plan (reported quarterly) to identify areas of potential under-performance.
- guidance issued by the Department for Communities and recommendations provided by the NI auditor (including the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) Section 95 report).
- evidence and issues arising from committee and meetings of the full council.
- areas for improvement emerging from the internal audit and risk management processes.
- priorities identified during the development of the new Corporate Plan 2025-2028 and rate-setting process.
- alignment with key city and council strategies including The Belfast Agenda and Corporate Plan 2025-2028.
- a review of customer complaints received.
- good practice data-benchmarking with other local authorities (regional and UK-wide).
Phase two: Engagement feedback
Feedback was gathered and approved through a series of internal engagements with members, chief officers, departments and key staff across the council. This included:
- templates completed and initial meetings held with departments to identify priorities and improvement activity.
- regular engagement with departmental teams and key officers, at every phase – ensuring alignment with departmental and service level budget-setting and planning processes.
- priorities identified during engagement with party group leaders, elected members and the corporate management team (CMT).
- reports presented and discussed at CMT, Strategic Policy and Resources (SP and R) Committee and the full council.
- approval granted through scheduled meetings with senior management teams, CMT, committee and full council meetings.
Phase three: Public consultation
An eight-week public consultation process was carried out to enable residents and stakeholders to inform our improvement objectives 2026-2027. This included an online survey via the council’s YourSay Belfast consultation and engagement website and two targeted focus groups. The survey was promoted using a range of communication methods including social media posts, posters in community buildings, email marketing to existing mailing lists, intranet promotion and websites. As part of phase three, we:
- received 135 survey completions via the YourSay Belfast website.
- facilitated two focus groups with eight young people and nine older people to reflect their priorities and areas for improvement.
- worked closely with departmental teams and key officers to consider consultation feedback and refine the final Performance Improvement Plan.
- secured approval of the final objectives through the normal council governance cycle (CMT, the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee and the full council meeting).
Consultation feedback summary
This is a summary of the consultation results:
- 82 per cent strongly agreed or agreed with Our services improvement objective
- 86 per cent strongly agreed or agreed with Our people and communities improvement objective
- 81 per cent strongly agreed or agreed with Our place improvement objective
- 77 per cent strongly agreed or agreed with Our planet improvement objective
- 84 cent strongly agreed or agreed with the Our economy improvement objective
- 77 per cent strongly agreed or agreed with the Compassionate city improvement objective
The issues or improvements that respondents felt should be considered in relation to the draft 2026-2027 improvement objectives are thematically summarised. It is important to note that some of the areas highlighted as part of the public consultation process are already being progressed through existing strategies, plans, practices and programmes, and in partnership as part of the Belfast Agenda 2024-2028.
Survey feedback summary
Our services
- Prioritise the delivery of effective street cleansing across the city.
- Increase the presence of dog wardens and park wardens in our parks and open spaces to reduce anti-social behaviour and improve cleanliness.
- Ensure missed bin collections are dealt with efficiently, and food caddy bags are available when requested.
- Work with partners to address the growing issue of city centre homelessness and progress with proposed plans for a safe injecting facility.
- Focus more on delivering key services and less on areas that are the responsibility of central government.
- Consider how artificial intelligence (AI) could enhance service delivery and the organisation.
Our people and communities
- Improve parks, facilities and opens spaces.
- Prioritise additional funding to increase and enhance the availability of sports pitches and facilities.
- Consider the self-sustainability and income-generating potential of existing facilities and pitches.
- Improve engagement in local communities to ensure that delivery reflects local need which may vary across the city.
- Prioritise more investment and facilities for women and girls to ensure equity of access and opportunities.
Our place
- Expand and enhance active travel infrastructure to reduce congestion, improve air quality and encourage more people to improve their health and wellbeing.
- Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 represents a significant opportunity to promote arts and culture throughout the city.
- Increase opportunities for inner city living to enhance city centre vibrancy.
- Enhance and increase playground provision – make better use of natural resources and consider ways to connect with other infrastructure, for example, greenways or active travel routes.
- Prioritise more and better-quality housing not only for people experiencing homelessness but also for growing families.
- Develop an alleys and entries strategy to support inner city communities.
- Increase visibility of ‘arts and culture’ around the city and more support for our arts.
Our planet
- Decarbonisation needs to begin in-house, the council should work to improve the efficiency of its own estate.
- Important that the council leads the way and sets an example for others in the city, for example ceasing the promotion of single-use cups and plastics in promotional activity.
Our economy
There was no specific feedback on Our economy.Compassionate city
- Clear commitment on how the council will lead and support work to End Violence Against Women and Girls.
- Provide more targeted support for families struggling with the cost-of-living.
- Ensure that facilities provide warm spaces for people to meet, learn and play.
Focus group feedback
Two focus groups were carried out with eight young people and nine older people, to better understand the needs and priorities of these traditionally under-represented target groups. A summary of the key feedback from each focus group is shown.
Feedback from older people's focus group
Nine older people from Greater Belfast Seniors' Forum said:
- Increase the provision of accessible toilet facilities, particularly within city centre, to encourage more older people into the city.
- Improve awareness and access to the council’s online grant schemes – older people’s groups are often not aware of when grants become available or how to access information.
- Continue to ensure that the views of older people are reflected in strategic decision-making so that their needs are continually considered.
- They valued the use of 2 Royal Avenue as a resource and hub to engage in community life.
Feedback from young people's focus group
Eight young people from Hammer Community Centre said:
- Improve equipment and the quality of playground facilities within the local area.
- Improve sensory facilities and provide more opportunities, activities and equipment in community centres. Invest in centres to make them more welcoming and attractive for young people.
- Cleaner and safer streets to allow young people to play (do more about dog waste).
- More outdoor green spaces and allotments for play and to allow young people to participate in horticultural activities.
