sign in sign up
<<
Home , Linlithgow, Michael Connarty, Philpstoun

WARD PROFILE 1 :

MAIN SETTLEMENTS This is the second smallest ward with a population of 16,034 (based on Mid-2010 GRO Population Estimates) and includes the communities of Linlithgow, Linlithgow Bridge, Bridgend, and Three Mile Town, rural Beecraigs and Acredales, rural Kettleston mains to Wester Woodside and rural Newton. The largest settlement in the ward is Linlithgow with a population: of 13,360 (Mid-2008 GRO Population Estimates), including Linlithgow Bridge, which is one of ’s most historic towns, attracting visitors to and is well connected through rail services and close links to the which bypasses the town.

Beyond Linlithgow itself the other communities that make up the ward constitute a number of small rural villages, including Bridgend (population 790), Philipstoun / Three Mile Town (population 643) and Rural Newton.

Beecraigs Country Park is one of West ’s key public spaces and provides a range of outdoor activities and facilities to local residents and visitors form Scotland and further afield.

ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES

The Linlithgow ward has three councillors, all of whom are elected on a proportional voting system to represent the whole ward. The three councillors meet regularly as a Local Area Committee. The Chair is Tom Conn. Those elected in May 2012 for five years are:-

Tom Conn (Scottish Tom Kerr (Scottish (Scottish Labour National Party) Conservative and Party) Unionist Party)

The ward is located within the Linlithgow constituency for the which is represented by MSP. There are also seven list MSPs for the whose details are on the Scottish Parliament website.

The ward is divided between the Linlithgow and East and Livingston constituencies for the Westminister Parliament. The larger part of the ward is located within Linlithgow and East Falkirk constituency and is represented by M.P. The dividing line runs to the north of Bridgend which is located in Livingston constituency and is represented by Graeme Morrice M.P.

There are six Members of the European Parliament who represent the whole of Scotland. Information on these is available on the European Parliament website www.europarl.org.uk

QUALITY OF LIFE INDICATORS

1. Linlithgow

Q3 Residents who are very or fairly satisfied with 94% West Lothian as a place to live? 87%

Q58 Residents who agree or strongly agree that West 64% Lothian has improved in the last few years 66%

Q36 Residents who agree or strongly agree that 63% people in their community help each other when there 52% is a problem Q37 Residents who have volunteered (given unpaid 63% help) in the last 12 months to any group club or 53% organisation Q17 Residents who agree or strongly agree that 45% schools help ensure that young people are 47% responsible citizens Q16 Residents who agree or strongly agree that 55% adults in West Lothian have access to a range of 65% appropriate learning opportunities Q24 Residents who describe their health as good or 84% very good 76%

Q21 Residents who engage in physical activity more 60% than once a week 56%

12% Q19 Residents who smoke 18%

Q41 Residents who have been a victim of crime in 6% the last 12 months 10%

The fifth West Lothian Quality of Life Survey for the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) was carried out in 2010 through the Citizens Panel. The Panel is structured to be completely representative of the West Lothian population, and representative at a multi member ward level. 70% of the 2911 Panel members completed the 2010 survey.

A range of questions across a variety of subjects gave the CPP useful information about people’s perceptions and experience of living in West Lothian. The CPP will use this information to plan, direct and prioritise services over the coming years. A sample of questions and scores for West Lothian and the Linlithgow ward are shown in the table above.

The levels of satisfaction with West Lothian as a place to live are very strong, remaining at a consistent 87% between the last survey in 2007 and 2010 one. In the Linlithgow ward there has a 7% increase in satisfaction levels with 87% being satisfied in 2007 rising to 94% in 2010.

In general the Linlithgow figures are higher than or similar to the West Lothian average. There are four indicators that vary significantly from the average for West Lothian an example being more residents in Linlithgow “agree or strongly agree (63%) that people in their community help each other if there is a problem” than is the case in wider West Lothian (52%).

The Summary of Key Findings and Commentary on the West Lothian Citizens’ Panel Quality of Life Survey 2010 Research Report is at :- http://www.westlothian.gov.uk/media/downloaddoc/1799465/lcp/QoL2010Results

Key Statistics

1. Linlithgow Scotland West Lothian

63 Total Population - Working Age (%): 2010 63 63 5 Percentage of working age population who are 13 employment deprived: 2010 13 6 Percentage of total population who are income 16 deprived: 2009/2010 16 30 Hospital admissions for alcohol misuse - rate per 72 10,000 population: 2001-2004 59 17 Males aged 16+ who smoke: 2003/2004 28 29 233 Average tariff score of all pupils on the S4 roll: 2009 182 189 8 Percentage of dwellings in Council Tax band A: 2010 22 24 26 Percentage of dwellings in Council Tax bands F to H: 12 2010 10 11 Total number of dwellings per 10 hectares: 2010 3 18

Percentage of datazones in ward in worst 20% in West 5 Lothian: 2009 20

The statistical indicators in the table above are taken from the Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics Area Profile site at :- http://www.sns.gov.uk/Reports/AreaProfile.aspx

Linlithgow is one of the smaller wards in West Lothian with 16,034 residents, 9.3% of the total population. There are 21 “datazones” in the ward – these are small areas with around 750 residents used to identify concentrations of multiple deprivation using indicators such as unemployment, income and health. Of the 21 datazones in the Linlithgow ward 1 (5%) is in the worst 20% in West Lothian, significantly lower than the average.

The proportion of the population who are of “working age” is 63% and similar to that for both West Lothian and Scotland. Linlithgow ward has a relatively low rate of employment deprivation at 5% as against 13% for West Lothian and Scotland as a whole. The ward has a significantly lower number of residents that are income deprived scoring 6% as opposed to the 16% average level for West Lothian and Scotland respectively.

The Health statistics for Linlithgow are better than both the West Lothian and Scottish levels. For example alcohol related hospital admissions are significantly lower and the number of adult males who smoke (17%) is also significantly lower than the levels for West Lothian (29%) for Scotland (28%).

Education statistics for the ward are higher than the averages for West Lothian and Scotland. The “Average tariff score of all pupils on the S4 roll” for the ward is 233 as against the 189 for West Lothian and 182 for Scotland.

There is a much lower proportion of homes in the lowest council tax bands and a much greater number in the highest council tax bands than in both West Lothian and Scotland. There is a higher density of housing in the ward compared to West Lothian as a whole reflecting the less rural nature of the ward but it is less dense than the Scottish average.

HEALTH INDICATORS 1. Linlithgow Scotland West Lothian

36 DLA claimants per 1,000 66 72

Hospital admissions for drugs misuse - rate per 30 127 100,000 population 72

58 Percentage breastfed at the 6 to 8 week review 37 34

98 Percentage vaccinated against MMR by 5 years 96 98

Percentage vaccinated against DTP/Pol/Hib by 24 100 98 months 99

Estimated percentage of population prescribed 7 8 drugs for anxiety, depression or psychosis 8

Elective (planned) hospital admissions - both 81 119 sexes - all ages - rate/1,000 93

Coronary Heart Disease Admissions - both sexes - 54 52 all ages - rate/1,000 49

Cancer Admissions - both sexes - all ages - 21 27 rate/10,000 20

Respiratory Disease Admissions - both sexes - all 8 15 ages - rate/10,000 16

Emergency admissions - both sexes - all ages - 60 100 rate/1,000 103

Admissions for Accidents - both sexes - all ages - 10 14 rate/1,000 16

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

The above indicators allow a comparison between key heath indicators in the ward against West Lothian and Scotland. They show that Linlithgow has a significantly lower proportion of people claiming Disability Living Allowance and of hospital admissions related to drugs misuse. There is a much higher proportion of babies being breast fed at the 6-8 week review than the West Lothian average, and there was a 100% vaccination rate against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type b.

Hospital Admissions are lower than the West Lothian and Scottish averages with two exceptions, Coronary Heart Disease is marginally higher in Linlithgow than in West Lothian and Scotland while admission for Cancer is also marginally higher than the West Lothian and lower than the Scottish level.The health indicators in the table above are taken from the Scottish Neighbourhood

Statistics site at :- http://www.sns.gov.uk

Population and benefit Indicators

1. Linlithgow Scotland West Lothian

23 Population - Children Percentage 19 22 63 Population - Working Age Percentage 62 64 14 Population - Pensionable Age Percentage 19 14 7 % population 16 to 24 claiming Key Benefits 13 14 9 % population 25 to 49 claiming Key Benefits 16 16 % working age population 50 and over claiming Key 12 23 Benefits 23 Percentage of total population who are income 6 16 deprived 16 Percentage of working age population who are 5 13 employment deprived 13 9 % working age population claiming key benefits 18 18 1.8 % of 16-64 population claiming JSA 3.8 3.6 1 % of population aged 16-64 claiming ESA 1.8 1.6 2.7 % of 16-64 population claiming IB 5.7 4.5 2 % of population aged 16-64 claiming IS 5.1 4.8 0.3 % of 16+ population claiming SDA 0.6 0.6 14 % of population aged 60 and over claiming GC 23 23

0 20 40 60 80

The above indicators allow a comparison between key populations and benefit claimant in the ward against West Lothian and Scotland. They show that Linlithgow has population profile broadly similar to that of West Lothian with a higher proportion of children slightly fewer residents of working age and a slightly higher proportion of those of pensionable age.

The ward has significantly fewer residents claiming benefits with lower levels than West Lothian and Scotland across all bands. Similarly the number of residents both income and employment deprived is considerably lower than in wider West Lothian and Scotland.

The population and benefit indicators in the table above are taken from the Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics site at: - http://www.sns.gov.uk

COMMUNITY COUNCILS Community Councils are directly elected bodies which find out and express the views of the community to local authorities and other public bodies, and take action which they feel is in the interests of its community. There are four community councils in the ward – Bridgend, Linlithgow and Linlithgow Bridge, Philpstoun and Ecclesmachan & Threemiletown (overlaps two ward areas). More information and contact details at:- http://www.westlothian.gov.uk/Council_and_government/pol_elec_democracy/820/776

SCHOOLS There is one secondary school in the ward – Linlithgow Academy; six primary schools – Bridgend, Linlithgow, Linlithgow Bridge, Low Port, Springfield and St. Joseph’s R.C. Primary. The denominational school falls within the catchment area of St. Kentigerns Academy. (Whitburn and Blackburn ward). There is one special school in the area, Donaldson’s School for The Deaf.

KEY COMMUNITY BUILDINGS Linlithgow Linlithgow Library: The Vennel, Linlithgow; EH49 7EX; 01506 775490: General library services and hosts regular adult educational classes. The Lounge: 29 The Vennel, Linlithgow, EH49 7EX, (contact LYPP 01506 202610); This facility is a voluntary run space for young people to meet and take part in various youth related activities inc clubs/ music etc. Halls: The Cross, Linlithgow, EH49 7AH; 01506 282720: The newly refurbished building is a key arts, community and function venue offering gallery space a range of function and conference rooms and café facilities. Low Port Centre: Blackness Road, Linlithgow, EH49 7HZ; 01506 775390: The Linlithgow based centre provided outdoor pursuits for all of West Lothian, including climbing, biking and a range of water sports. It also provides meeting space for a number of local community groups and residential accommodation. Chalmers Hall: Falkirk Road, Linlithgow Bridge, EH49 7BQ; 01506 842744: Community Centre offering space for community groups and provides a range of activities throughout the week. Springfield Community Wing: Springfield PS, 141 Springfield Road, Linlithgow, EH49 7SN; 01506 847455: Community Centre offering space for community groups and provides a range of activities throughout the week. XCITE Sports Centre Linlithgow: McGinley Way, Linlithgow, EH49 6SQ; 01506 775440: Offers a range of sporting activities and hosts a swimming pool, gym, football pitches etc. County Buildings: 122 Main Street, Linlithgow, EH49 7EZ; 01506: Main Council administration building which houses Council Planning Service and recently opened WL Archive Service. Bridgend Bridgend Community Education Centre: Auldhill Road, Bridgend, EH49 6NZ; 01506834536: Community Centre offering space for community groups and provides a range of activities throughout the week. Philpstoun Philpstoun Community Centre, Main Street: Philpstoun, EH49 6RA; 01506 834360: Community Centre offering space for community groups and provides a range of activities throughout the week. Newton Newton Community Centre: 26 Duddingston Crescent, Newton, EH52 6QG; 0131 331 3290: Community Centre offering space for community groups and provides a range of activities throughout the week.

FUTURE KEY DEVELOPMENTS • Linlithgow and north west West Lothian is identified in the & Lothians Structure Plan 2015 as an area of development restraint; • Linlithgow currently has planned growth of 68 residential units on a number of sites in the town; • Planning application lodged for significant housing and retail development at north east of Linlithgow (Burghmuir site) including 600 homes, care home, hotel/conference facilities, retail and junction works. • Bridgend currently has planned growth of 46 residential units on two sites in the village; • West Lothian Local Plan 2009 safeguards for a bus facility with park & ride and a new all directions junction onto the M9 at Burghmuir, Linlithgow.