In Warwickshire 2006

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006

December 2006

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 Leicester

Atherstone

NORTH WARWICKSHIRE Nuneaton BOROUGH NUNEATON & BEDWORTH Birmingham Coleshill BOROUGH Bedworth

Coventry RUGBY BOROUGH Rugby

Kenilworth

Redditch WARWICK DISTRICT

Leamington Spa Warwick Studley

Southam Alcester

Stratford Wellesbourne

STRATFORD-ON-AVON DISTRICT

Evesham

Shipston on Stour

Banbury

Based on Ordnance Survey Mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Warwickshire County Council Licence No. LA 076880, 2005

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 Quality of Life in Warwickshire

December 2006

An assessment of the state of Warwickshire using a range of economic, social, environmental and natural resource indicators.

Contact: The Warwickshire Observatory Phone: 01926 418645 E-mail: [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 Acknowledgements

Thanks are due to all those organisations that have contributed data and commentary either directly or indirectly to this publication, including;

• Warwickshire County Council Environment and Economy Directorate • Warwickshire County Council Children, Young People and Families Directorate • Warwickshire County Council Adult, Health and Community Services Directorate • Warwickshire Police • Warwickshire Investment Partnership • West Midlands Regional Observatory • South Warwickshire Primary Care Trust • Rugby Primary Care Trust • North Warwickshire Primary Care Trust • Office for National Statistics • Warwickshire Youth Offending Team • Connexions Coventry & Warwickshire • Warwickshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team • Swanswell Charitable Trust • North Warwickshire Borough Council • Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council • Rugby Borough Council • Stratford-on-Avon District Council • Warwick District Council • English Nature • Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs • Department for Communities and Local Government • Department for Transport • Department of Trade and Industry • National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory • Department for Work and Pensions • Severn-Trent Water • Environment Agency • Land Registry • Small Business Service • HBOS plc • VisitBritain • Coventry City Council • Learning & Skills Council, Coventry and Warwickshire • Heart of England Tourism • Stockholm Environment Institute • Barclays Bank

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 Contents

Introduction 1

Headline Trends 2

The County in Context 5

Economic Indicators 9

Social Indicators 43

Environmental Indicators 103

Natural Resource Indicators 135

District Trends 153

Appendix A – Sources 165

Appendix B – Indicators & The Local Area Agreement 171

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 Introduction

Welcome to our seventh ‘Quality of Life in Warwickshire’ report. As in previous years, the report provides an easily accessible reference of how the quality of life in Warwickshire and its Districts compares with elsewhere, and also how quality of life in the County is changing over time.

The purpose of the report remains to inform policy development, monitoring and review across the County, using a wide range of indicators. Previous reports have been welcomed and used by a variety of organisations and individuals across Warwickshire who are working to improve the social, economic and environmental well being and quality of life of the area.

The focus of the report is on outcome indicators - those things that make a real difference to people’s daily lives. Importantly they include measures which reflect individuals’ own perceptions, for example their fear of crime, satisfaction with their neighbourhood as a place to live or with the County as a business location.

Over the coming months we will be finalising our Local Area Agreement (LAA) in Warwickshire, and the ‘Quality of Life’ report provides a valuable context for the LAA, and will help in measuring how we are doing over the coming years. Appendix B links each of the indicators to the ‘blocks’ covered by the Local Area Agreement.

‘Quality of Life in Warwickshire’ is divided into four sections - Economic, Social, Environment, and Natural Resources. For each of the individual indicators, a brief description is given, with an assessment of the local performance. Each indicator is summarised in relation to Warwickshire’s performance over time and performance in relation to other areas.

‘Quality of Life in Warwickshire’ can be accessed on the web at www.warwickshire. gov.uk/qualityoflife. It is worth noting that the website also contains a much wider range of indicators than those that have been included in this report. These are now updated on an on-going basis, with the most up-to-date data always available in the indicators on the website.

If you have any comments about the report or questions about the information within it, please contact Helen Crossling in the Warwickshire Observatory by phone (01926 418645), e-mail ([email protected]) or at the address below.

John Deegan Strategic Director for Environment & Economy Warwickshire County Council Shire Hall Warwick CV34 4SX

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 1 Headline Trends

Key Good performance Moderate performance Poor performance Information not available or not applicable at County level

Indicator Trend Warwickshire Page over compared with time elsewhere Unemployment 10 Employment 16 Skills 18

Earnings 20 Benefit Claimants 22 Gross Value Added 25 Jobs in Warwickshire 29 Inward Investment 32 Business Viability 34

Economic Indicators Business Location 38 Housing Affordability 40 Tourism 42 Community Priorities 46 Community Well-being 48 Social Participation 50 Happiness 52 Healthy Living 54

Smoking Cessation 56 Substance Misuse 60 Perception of Anti-Social Behaviour 64 Youth Offending 66 Fear of Crime 69

Social Indicators Recorded Crime 71 Satisfaction with Health Services 73 Life Expectancy 76 Mortality Rates 78 Years of Life Lost 80

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 2 Indicator Trend Warwickshire Page over compared with time elsewhere

Pre-school Provision 82 Key Stage Attainment 84 GCSE Attainment 86 Lifelong Learning 87 School Leaver Destinations 92 Unauthorised Absence 95 Access to Key Services 96

Social Indicators Older People Helped to Live at Home 98 Unfit Homes 100 Air Quality 104 Flooding 107 Household Waste 109 Recycling & Composting 109 Road Traffic Volume & Congestion 112 Road Casualties 115 Cycling 118 Travel to School 120 Bus Journeys 122 Bus Service Satisfaction 124 Rights of Way 126 Environmental Indicators Parks & Green Spaces 129 Carbon Emissions 132 Water Consumption 136 Water Quality 138 Sites of Special Scientific Interest 141 Land Use 143 Local Nature Reserves 146 Natural

Resources Biodiversity 148 Ecological Footprints 150

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006

3 Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 4 The County In Context

Description

Warwickshire lies to the south and east of the West Midlands conurbation and has strong links with Coventry, Solihull and Birmingham in the West Midlands region, and increasingly stronger links with the South East region. Despite the focus of population within the main towns of the County, a significant part of Warwickshire is rural in nature. Situated in a central location, several key strategic routes pass through the County.

Key facts

• The population of Warwickshire is 533,900 (mid-2005 estimate)

• The population comprises 263,600 males and 270,400 females

• Minority ethnic groups account for 4.4% of the population (2001 Census)

• The area of Warwickshire is 763 square miles (1,979 square kms)

• The average population density is 2.7 persons per hectare

• Warwickshire County measures 48 miles north to south and 29 miles east to west at its maximum extent.

• Warwickshire comprises five parliamentary constituencies – North Warwickshire, Nuneaton, Rugby & Kenilworth, Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick & Leamington.

Warwickshire comprises five District/Borough areas:

• North Warwickshire Borough

• Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough

• Rugby Borough

• Stratford-on-Avon District

• Warwick District

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 5 Figure 1.1; Area and population, mid-2005

Area Population mid-2005 persons 2 Sq.miles Hectares Km estimates per km2

North Warwickshire 110 28,516 285 62,300 219

Nuneaton & Bedworth 30 7,898 79 120.700 1,528

Rugby 137 35,558 356 91,600 257

Stratford-on-Avon 377 97,657 977 119,000 122

Warwick 109 28,226 282 140,300 498

Warwickshire 763 197,855 1,979 533,900 270

Source: Mid-year population estimates, National Statistics. Warwickshire’s population has been growing for the past three decades, and the rate of growth has exceeded regional and national levels. The County is now home to 76,000 more people than at the start of the 1970’s. Growth has been particularly rapid in recent years with continued in-migration from the urban areas of Coventry and Birmingham the key factor behind this trend.

Figure 1.2; Population change, 1971 – 2005 (thousands)

1971 - 2005 1971 1981 1991 2001 2005 change

North Warwickshire 58.4 60.0 61.0 61.8 62.3 6.7% Nuneaton & Bedworth 107.9 113.9 117.5 119.2 120.7 11.9% Rugby 84.5 87.5 85.0 87.5 91.6 8.4% Stratford -on-Avon 95.6 100.7 105.4 111.5 119.0 24.5% Warwick 111.7 115.1 118.1 126.1 140.3 25.6% Warwickshire 458.1 477.2 487.1 506.2 533.9 16.5%

Coventry 338.3 319.4 303.9 302.8 304.2 -10.1%

West Midlands region 5,146.0 5,186.6 5,229.7 5,280.7 5,365.4 4.3%

England 46,412.0 46,820.3 47,875.0 49,449.7 50,431.7 8.7%

Source: Mid-year population estimates, National Statistics. Population growth continues to occur most rapidly in the south of the County with recent housing developments in Stratford-on-Avon (Bridgetown Farm and Bishopton) and Warwick (south-west Warwick and south Sydenham) contributing to the increase. North Warwickshire, Nuneaton & Bedworth and Rugby Boroughs remain relatively stable.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 6 Figure 1.3; Change in population by age group, 1995 - 2005

North Nuneaton & Stratford Age Rugby Warwick Warwickshire Groups Warwickshire Bedworth -on-Avon

0 - 4 -23.1% -15.0% -5.5% 3.4% 2.9% -6.3% 5 - 14 -2.5% -3.1% 9.4% 10.3% 2.8% 3.4% 15 - 29 -9.6% -7.2% -6.5% -3.7% 30.1% 2.6% 30 - 44 1.5% 2.7% 13.8% 10.3% 28.7% 12.2% 45 - 64 12.2% 9.9% 11.8% 14.1% 13.4% 12.7% 65 - 74 5.8% 0.0% 1.3% 13.3% -3.6% 3.6% 75 - 84 25.9% 23.1% 10.6% 18.8% 16.2% 18.2% 85 plus 25.0% 42.9% 28.6% 22.7% 27.3% 31.6%

Source: Mid-year population estimates, National Statistics. The populations of the UK and Warwickshire are ageing, defined as the process by which older individuals make up a proportionally larger share of the population over a period of time. The population of Warwickshire has grown by 16.5% since 1971 compared to 8.7% nationally, and by almost 2% in just the past year. However this growth has not occurred evenly across all age groups, as indicated above. The largest increases are in the 85-plus age group and, within the County, the numbers aged over 85 have increased by 32% within the past decade. A changing population profile clearly has implications for the funding of different public services.

Figure 1.4; Projected changes in residents and households, 2006 - 2026

2006 Estimates Projected Change Projected Change (thousands) 2006 - 2016 2006 - 2026 Population Households Population Households Population Households

North Warwickshire 61.9 26 +1% +8% +3% +15%

Nuneaton & Bedworth 121.3 51 +3% +10% +6% +16%

Rugby 90.9 38 +6% +11% +12% +21%

Stratford-on-Avon 118.4 51 +9% +12% +16% +24%

Warwick 138.2 60 +13% +18% +23% +33%

Warwickshire 530.7 226 +7% +12% +14% +23%

West Midlands region 5,271.0 2,244 +3% +9% +5% +16%

England 49,577.0 21,485 +5% +10% +9% +20%

Source: Sub-national population projections 2003-based, National Statistics. Note that these figures may conflict sightly with those in earlier tables as these projections use 2003 as the baseline.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 7 In 2004, the Office for National Statistics published a new set of long-term sub-national population projections for England and Wales. The projections are trend-based projections, based upon the 2003 mid-year estimates. They provide an indication of expected trends in population growth should recent demographic changes continue into the future. They take no account of any policy decisions, particularly relating to planning policy, which may affect population growth and change.

The population of Warwickshire is projected to increase by 71,600 by 2026, an increase of 14% in twenty years. This is significantly higher than the projected increase at a regional (5%) and a national (9%) level.

Changes in family structures combined with more single person households have meant that the rate of increase of households has significantly exceeded overall population growth with inevitable implications for future housing provision.

Warwick District has seen, and is expected to see, the greatest increase in the number of households with growth in the south of the County forecast to exceed that in the north.

Figure 1.5; Projected change in residents and households, 2006 - 2026

35 Population growth Household growth

10 Percentage growth 2006 - 2026

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire West Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon Midlands

Source: Sub-national population projections 2003-based, National Statistics.

Further information

Further information on the population of Warwickshire and analysis of the 2001 Census is available from the Warwickshire Observatory at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ research or email [email protected] or telephone 01926 412775.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 8 Economic Indicators

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 9 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

UNEMPLOYMENT

Description

The claimant count measures the number of people claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance benefit (JSA). This is different to the official measure of unemployment, based on the number of people looking for work, which is measured by the Annual Population Survey (APS). However, claimant count figures have the advantage of being both more timely and reliable, especially at the local level.

Performance

1. Claimant count

The claimant count fell consistently throughout the mid and late nineties, both nationally and in Warwickshire. Since 2001, however, the claimant count in Warwickshire levelled off, reflecting the trend at a national level. More recently, the claimant count has started to increase. The claimant count in Warwickshire has been on an upward trend from the middle of 2005.

In July 2006, there were 5,935 claimants living in Warwickshire. The claimant count rate (numbers of JSA claimants expressed as a percentage of the resident working age population of an area) for Warwickshire is 1.8%. This is an increase of 1,140 claimants and 0.3 percentage points from July 2005.

At a District level, claimant rates range from a low of 1.2% in Stratford-on-Avon to 2.8% in Nuneaton & Bedworth. Nuneaton & Bedworth is the only Warwickshire district where the claimant count rate is higher than the average for England and Wales.

Figure 2.1; Claimant count by gender, July 2006

Male Females Persons No . Rate % No . Rate % No . Rate % North Warwickshire 431 2.1 199 1.1 630 1.6 Nuneaton & Bedworth 1,476 3.8 563 1.6 2,039 2.8 Rugby 782 2.7 282 1.1 1,064 1.9 Stratford-on-Avon 616 1.7 246 0.7 862 1.2 Warwick 1,019 2.2 321 0.8 1,340 1.5 Warwickshire 4,324 2.5 1,611 1.0. 5,935 1.8 West Midlands 82,183 4.8 28,527 1.8 110,710 3.4 South East 60,673 2.3 23,057 1.0 83,730 1.7 England & Wales 613,193 3.6 226,893 1.4 840,086 2.6

Note: Rates are calculated using the resident working-age population (16-64 for males; 16-59 for females) as denominators and are consistent with those published by the Office for National Statistics. Source: Claimant count, National Statistics (www.nomisweb.co.uk) © Crown Copyright 2006.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 10 Figure 2.2; Claimant count, 2003–2006

Jul-03 Jul-04 Jul-05 Jul-06 No. Rate % No. Rate % No. Rate % No. Rate %

North Warwickshire 544 1.4 492 1.3 591 1.5 630 1.6 Nuneaton & Bedworth 1,490 2.0 1,451 2.0 1,510 2.0 2,039 2.8 Rugby 1,135 2.1 857 1.6 910 1.7 1,064 1.9 Stratford-on-Avon 726 1.0 653 0.9 688 1.0 862 1.2 Warwick 1,222 1.4 1,097 1.2 1,096 1.2 1,340 1.5

Warwickshire 5,117 1.6 4,550 1.4 4,795 1.5 5,935 1.8

West Midlands 95,942 3.0 87,719 2.7 97,816 3.0 110,710 3.4 South East 75,240 1.5 67,707 1.4 71,223 1.4 83,730 1.7

England & Wales 805,017 2.5 716,100 2.2 752,941 2.3 840,086 2.6

There are 890 people in Warwickshire who have been claiming JSA benefit for more than 12 months, representing 15% of the total number of claimants.

Figure 2.3; Claimant duration, July 2006

Less than 6 months 6 months to 1 year 1 year plus Total No. % No. % No. % No.

North Warwickshire 425 67.5 115 18.3 90 14.1 630 Nuneaton & Bedworth 1,385 67.9 370 18.1 285 14.1 2,040 Rugby 685 64.6 195 18.4 180 17.2 1,060 Stratford-on-Avon 540 62.8 185 21.5 135 15.5 860 Warwick 815 61.0 325 24.3 195 14.7 1,335

Warwickshire 3,855 65.1 1,180 19.9 890 15.0 5,925

West Midlands 65,095 59.1 23,615 21.4 21,430 19.5 11,140 South East 54,875 65.8 16,485 19.8 12,090 14.5 83,450 England & Wales 531,180 63.5 170,440 20.4 134,555 16.1 836,175

Note: Data are rounded to nearest five because of disclosure controls. For this reason totals will not match those shown in previous tables. Source: Claimant count, National Statistics (www.nomisweb.co.uk) © Crown Copyright 2006.

Unemployment claimant counts are now available for Super Output Areas within Warwickshire. Super Output Areas (SOAs) are replacing electoral wards as the primary means of dissemination of small area Government (and other) statistics. Lower layer SOAs are typically smaller than electoral wards and contain around 1,000–2,000 people.

Examining the unemployment claimant count at this level allows for the identification of pockets of ‘worklessness’ that may otherwise be hidden in ward level statistics. Over time, this will allow relevant agencies to make more targeted interventions in areas of greatest need.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 11 Whilst the greatest number of pockets of claimants is within Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough, several pockets also exist in Rugby Borough and Warwick District. The highest claimant count in July 2006 is in an SOA within central Abbey ward in Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough where there are 81 claimants and a claimant rate of 10.2%.

Out of the 68 Warwickshire SOAs with the 20% highest (top quintile) claimant counts 33 are within Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough, 14 are within Rugby Borough and 12 within Warwick District. Five Stratford-on-Avon District SOAs feature within the highest quintile and four within North Warwickshire.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 12 Figure 2.4; Unemployment claimant count, Super Output Areas, July 2006

Claimant rate 0.1 - 0.8% 0.9 - 1.2% 1.3 - 1.9% NORTH WARWICKSHIRE BOROUGH 2.0 - 2.9% 3.0 - 10.2%

NUNEATON & BEDWORTH BOROUGH

RUGBY BOROUGH

WARWICK DISTRICT

STRATFORD-ON-AVON DISTRICT

Produced by the Warwickshire Observatory

Based on the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. (C) Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproducetion infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings Warwickshire County Council, 100018285, 2006

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 13 2. Unemployment

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) defines unemployment as a count of jobless people who want to work, are available to work, and are actively seeking employment. The Annual Population Survey collects figures on unemployment levels using the ILO definition, and these are the only internationally comparable measures of unemployment in the UK.

As some unemployed people are not entitled to claim benefits, or choose not to do so, the number of unemployed people will always be higher than the claimant count. The Warwickshire ILO unemployment rate was 3.9% (10,100 people) in 2005, significantly lower than the regional and national averages.

Figure 2.5; Unemployment rate, 2000–2005

10 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

4 Unemployment rate, %

0 Warwickshire West Midlands South East England & Wales EU-25

Notes: The unemployment rate is calculated as the number of unemployed people aged 16 to 59/64 expressed as a percentage of the economically active population aged 16 to 59/64. Rates for 2000-2003 refer to the 12-month period ending in February each year; rates for 2004-2005 refer to the 12 months ending in December each year. The EU-25 rate refers to the percentage of the population aged 16-75 that are unemployed. Sources: Annual Population Survey; Labour Force Survey, National Statistics (www.nomisweb.co.uk) © Crown Copyright 2006; Eurostat (www.epp.eurostat.cec.eu.int).

Outlook

The last couple of years have seen a number of job cuts at major manufacturers in the region. Redundancies at Jaguar, Marconi and Peugeot preceded the collapse of MG Rover and more recently Peugeot has announced that production at its Ryton plant will cease altogether by the middle of 2007 with around 2,300 people set to lose their jobs.

In Warwickshire, the claimant count has risen sharply, from a low base, in the last twelve months, but remains below regional and national averages.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 14 Nationally, the unemployment rate has increased, and reached a six-year high in the three months to June 2006 of 5.5%. This can be seen as a lagged response to the economic slowdown during 2005. However, at the same time the total number of people in employment has also been increasing and reached a record high in the three months to June 2006. The increase is due to growth in the working age population, pensioners returning to work and a decline in the number of people incapacitated by long-term illness.

Further Information

A monthly analysis of the latest claimant count unemployment trends in Warwickshire is available from the Economy and Employment section of the Warwickshire Observatory website visit, www.warwickshire.gov.uk/research

For further details email [email protected] or telephone 01926 418066.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 15 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

EMPLOYMENT

Description

The employment rate measures the number of working-age people in employment as a percentage of all working-age residents. The Annual Population Survey (APS) has replaced the Labour Force Survey (LFS) as the primary source of information on employment levels. The APS is a quarterly sample survey of households across Great Britain carried out by interviewing people about their circumstances and work using internationally agreed concepts and definitions. The figures presented here are annual estimates, relating to interviews conducted over a one-year period ending on the date selected.

Performance

In the twelve-month period ending March 2005, the proportion of Warwickshire residents, of working age (16-59 for females; 16-64 for males), in employment was 78%. This compares favourably with the West Midlands region and national averages, 74% and 75% respectively, and is on a par with the UK’s leading regional economy the South East.

Figure 2.6; Proportion of people of working age in employment, 1999/00– 2004/05

100% 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05

80%

60%

40%

20%

Proportion of working-age population in employment 0% North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwick- West South England Warwick- Bedworth on-Avon shire Midlands East & Wales shire

Encouragingly, the employment rate in Nuneaton & Bedworth has shown a marked upward trend in recent years, narrowing the gap with the rest of the County. Over the same period, the Warwickshire employment rate has remained stable at a level comfortably above both regional and national averages.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 16 Outlook

The total number of people in employment in the UK is increasing and reached record levels in early 2006. However, the employment rate has fallen slightly and the unemployment rate has increased.

Employment is rising at the same time as unemployment because the supply of individuals aged 16 and over has been increasing, and so has the economically active participation rate – those already in work or unemployed but ready for work. Part of this reflects a trend towards people extending their working lives beyond the traditional retirement age, however, increased levels of inward migration are also likely to be having a significant effect.

Further Information

Further details about the Annual Population Survey are available from the National Statistics website, www.statistics.gov.uk. Alternatively, contact the Warwickshire Observatory on 01926 418066 or email [email protected].

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 17 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

SKILLS

Description

The key measure of skills is qualification attainment of individuals in terms of formally accredited skills. Statistics on the qualifications held by an area’s resident population are collected as part of the Annual Population Survey (APS). The APS is a quarterly sample survey of households across Great Britain carried out by interviewing people about their circumstances and work using internationally agreed concepts and definitions. The figures presented here are annual estimates, relating to interviews conducted over a one- year period ending on the date selected.

Performance

Higher skill levels allow workers to generate new ideas and adapt to the changing economic environment. Without access to a skilled workforce, firms are unable to effectively introduce new technology or make organisational changes. Low levels of skills act as a brake on economic performance.

Information on qualification levels is usually presented by coding individual responses to their National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) equivalency.

• NVQ1 – equivalent to GCSE grades D-G • NVQ2 – equivalent to five GCSEs at grade C or above • NVQ3 – equivalent to two A level passes • NVQ4 – equivalent to a first degree • NVQ5 – equivalent to a Masters degree

Figure 2.7; Levels of qualification held by resident populations, 2005

NVQ4+ NVQ3+ No Qualifications

North Warwickshire 21.1% 37.6% 16.4% Nuneaton & Bedworth 14.0% 33.6% 18.4% Rugby 25.9% 45.8% 8.2% Stratford-on-Avon 32.3% 51.4% 13.1% Warwick 40.9% 60.9% 11.0%

Warwickshire 27.8% 47.1% 13.4% West Midlands 23.0% 39.9% 17.7% South East 29.5% 48.5% 10.1% England & Wales 26.1% 43.8% 14.2%

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 18 Skills levels held by the resident population vary significantly within Warwickshire. Warwick has a higher proportion of its population qualified to NVQ4 or above than anywhere else in the West Midlands Region. However, Nuneaton & Bedworth has a lower proportion of its population qualified to NVQ4 or above than anywhere else within the Region.

Outlook

Evidence shows that a significant contributory factor to the UK’s relatively poor productivity performance, in comparison to some of the nations it is competing against, is its low overall level of skills. In response, the government has commissioned a review to identify the improvements necessary in the country’s skills base to maximise economic growth, productivity and social justice. The review findings are expected to be published in November 2006.

Further Information

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 19 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

EARNINGS

Description

The Annual Survey of Hours & Earnings (ASHE) has replaced the New Earnings Survey (NES) as the primary source of information on earnings statistics. This development has been accompanied by a shift in focus to the ‘median’ as the headline earnings statistic in place of the ‘mean’. The median (the value below which 50 per cent of employees fall) measures the amount earned by the typical worker. It is preferred over the mean for earnings data as it is influenced less by extreme values.

Data on earnings are published by both place of residence and workplace. Residence- based earnings figures for Warwickshire include the wages of all Warwickshire residents irrespective of whether they work outside the County. Workplace-based earnings data include the wages of people travelling into the County to work, but exclude those of Warwickshire residents who travel outside the County to work, and reflect the profile of the types of jobs in the area rather than the jobs held by its residents.

Performance

Figure 2.8; Typical gross annual wage, full-time workers (residence-based), 2002–2005

28,000 2002 2003 2004 2005

24,000

20,000

16,000

12,000

8,000

4,000

Gross annual pay for full-time employee jobs, £'000s 0 North Nun'ton & Rugby Stratford Warwick Warwick West South England Warks Bedworth -on-Avon -shire Midlands East & Wales

The typical gross (before tax) annual wage for a full-time worker living in Warwickshire was £24,500 in 2005. This is £1,300 higher than the equivalent figure for England & Wales (£23,200) and £2,900 more than the typical wage for West Midlands’ residents (£21,600).

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 20 Within Warwickshire, wage levels are highest for Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon residents, £26,600 and £26,500 respectively. Wages for residents of Nuneaton & Bedworth are the lowest in the County, at £21,700, 12% lower than for Warwick residents.

Figure 2.9; Typical gross annual wage, full-time workers, 2005

Residence Workplace

North Warwickshire £23,800 £22,800 Nuneaton & Bedworth £21,700 £19,100 Rugby £24,800 £24,500 Stratford-on-Avon £26,500 £23,900 Warwick £26,600 £22,600

Warwickshire £24,500 £22,400 West Midlands £21,600 £21,500 South East £25,200 £24,200 England & Wales £23,200 £23,200

Residence-based earnings levels in the South of the County are considerably higher than their workplace equivalents. This suggests that a significant proportion of Warwickshire residents, particularly in Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick Districts, who work outside the County’s boundaries are able to earn higher wages than those typically available for jobs within Warwickshire.

Workplace earnings levels are fairly consistent across the districts with the exception of Nuneaton & Bedworth where annual earnings are £3,700 lower than in any other district. This is at least partly due to the structure of employment in Nuneaton & Bedworth – the largest employment sector in the Borough is the wholesale and retail trade where wages tend to be lower.

Outlook

Average earnings excluding bonuses, or regular pay, rose by 3.8% in the year to May 2006. In the same period, inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, increased by 2.2%, which is below the rate of earnings growth.

Further Information

Details of the Annual Survey of Hours & Earnings are available from the National Statistics website, www.statistics.gov.uk. Alternatively, contact the Warwickshire Observatory on 01926 418066 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 21 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

BENEFIT CLAIMANTS

Description

Warwickshire residents claim a number of different types of benefit. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) provides information on the number of people claiming the various benefits that are available to working-age people.

The proportion of working-age people claiming benefits provides an indicator of the health and economic activity levels of residents.

Performance

Residents of Warwickshire continue to claim significantly fewer benefits than elsewhere in the West Midlands region and Great Britain. Countywide, the claimant rate is 10.7%, compared to the national rate of 14.9%.

Figure 2.10; Proportion of the working-age population claiming benefits, 2001– 2006

20 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

5 Percentage of working-age population claiming benefits 0 North Nuneaton Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwick- West South Great Warwick- & Bedworth on-Avon shire Midlands East Britain shire

Note: Data refer to February each year. Source: Department for Work and Pensions (www.dwp.gov.uk).

Locally, claimant rates are particularly low in Stratford-on-Avon, where only 8.1% of the working age population claim key benefits. The highest rates in Warwickshire are found in the north of the County, 11.9% of North Warwickshire residents and 15.3% of Nuneaton & Bedworth residents claim at least one benefit.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 22 The Warwickshire claimant rate of 10.7% represents 34,760 people in receipt of working- age benefits. This is 820 higher than in 2005, predominantly due to an increase in the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance. The total can be disaggregated into the following groups: • Jobseekers (claimants of Jobseekers Allowance), 6,240 • Incapacity benefits (claimants of Incapacity Benefit), 16,600 • Lone parents (claimants on Income Support with a child under 16 and no partner), 4,270 • And others (claimants in receipt of Income Support not included in other groups, Carers Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Bereavement Benefit and Widows Benefit), 7,650

Figure 2.11; Number of working-age population claiming benefits by type, February 2006

12,000

s Others

10,000 Lone parents

Incapacity benefits

8,000 Jobseekers

6,000

4,000

2,000 Number of working-age population claiming benefit

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Note: A person who fits into more than one category will only appear in the top-most one for which they are eligible (Job Seeker, Incapacity Benefit, Lone Parent, Other). Source: Department for Work and Pensions (www.dwp.gov.uk).

Outlook

The number of Warwickshire residents claiming Jobseekers Allowance has risen sharply in the past 12 months and this increase has been enough to more than offset falls in the numbers of claimants among the Incapacity Benefits and Lone Parent groups.

The government published its Welfare Reform Bill in July 2006. The Bill details the government’s plans to overhaul the benefits paid to sick and disabled people. Key elements of the proposals include replacing incapacity benefits with a new employment and support allowance. Under the new system claimants deemed able to work will be required to receive support aimed at helping them find employment.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 23 Further Information

For more information on the different types of benefit available visit www.direct.gov. uk. Statistics on claimant numbers are accessible from the Department for Work and Pensions website, www.dwp.gov.uk. Alternatively, contact the Warwickshire Observatory, on 01926 418066 or email [email protected].

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 24 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

GROSS VALUE ADDED

Description

Gross Value Added (GVA) is a measure of the total economic activity in a region and acts as an important indicator of the overall health of a region’s economy. Local area GVA is calculated as the sum of incomes earned from the production of goods and services within an area.

Local area GVA data are collected by workplace rather than by place of residence. Warwickshire’s figures will therefore include all GVA generated by economic activity within the County, but exclude that generated by Warwickshire residents working outside the County.

Per capita Gross Value Added is calculated by dividing the estimate of workplace GVA for an area by the resident population for that area.

Consequently, estimates of GVA per head will be high in areas with high levels of inward commuting and a low resident population. GVA per head will be low in areas with significant levels of outward commuting and a high resident population.

Although calculated as reliably as possible, estimates of regional and local GVA will not be as reliable as those for national GVA. The regional GVA estimates are partly based on sample surveys and the quality of the results therefore varies according to sample size. County level is the smallest geographic level that estimates are available for and results are subject to a greater degree of uncertainty than those for larger geographic areas.

Performance

The latest estimates show per capita GVA in Warwickshire in 2003 was 1% higher than the national average. This figure represents a slight fall from 2002.

Since 2000, growth in Warwickshire has slowed. The Warwickshire economy (as measured by total GVA and before allowing for inflation) grew by an average annual rate of 3.5% per year in the three years to 2003. This is a slower rate of growth than that experienced at national level (5.1%), regionally (4.6%) or in the South East (5.1%).

Between 1995 and 2000, growth in Warwickshire averaged 6.6%. This was a faster rate of growth than that taking place in the South East (6.4%) and compared favourably with the UK average of 5.2% and the West Midlands figure of 4.9%.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 25 Figure 2.12; Gross Value Added per head relative to the UK average, 1995–2003

120 110 UK=100 100

70 60

Added, Index (UK = 100) 50 40 alue 30

Gross V 20

10 0 2000 2000 2000 2001 2001 2001 2002 2002 2002 2003 2003 2003 1996 1996 1996 1997 1997 1997 1998 1998 1998 1999 1999 1999 1995 1995 1995 Warwickshire West Midlands South East

It is not easy to explain the reasons behind the apparent relative slowdown in Warwickshire’s economic growth. National Statistics make available only a three- sector breakdown of GVA at a County level; this data suggests that weakness in the manufacturing sector (including energy and construction) may be behind the slowdown, but this is an issue for most of the rest of the UK as well.

Commuting patterns and demographic changes will also affect the estimates.

Figure 2.13; Gross Value Added and GVA per head, 1996–2003

Average 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2000-2003 GVA per head, £

Warwickshire 11,434 12,412 13,328 14,033 14,652 15,245 15,665 16,234 Year-on-year % change 7.5% 8.6% 7.4% 5.3% 4.4% 4.0% 2.8% 3.6% 3.5%

West Midlands 10,605 11,250 11,855 12,291 12,782 13,361 13,944 14,624 Year-on-year % change 5.4% 6.1% 5.4% 3.7% 4.0% 4.5% 4.4% 4.9% 4.6%

South East 11,884 12,706 13,733 14,456 15,187 15,977 16,791 17,631 Year-on-year % change 6.5% 6.9% 8.1% 5.3% 5.1% 5.2% 5.1% 5.0% 5.1%

UK 11,415 12,093 12,840 13,377 13,917 14,586 15,344 16,144 Year-on-year % change 5.8% 5.9% 6.2% 4.2% 4.0% 4.8% 5.2% 5.2% 5.1%

Warwickshire is ranked fourth in terms of per capita GVA in the West Midlands region, behind Solihull, Birmingham and Coventry. This is a fall of one place from the previous year’s estimates. Coventry and Warwickshire have swapped places in each of the last three GVA series released.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 26 Figure 2.14; GVA per resident head, regional comparison, 2003

10 Added per head, £ ('000s) alue

5 Gross V

0 e e ry rent nt rekin Solihull Cove Dudley & Sandwell e-on-T alsall & rcestershir Shropshire Region rwickshire st Midlands Staffordshir Birmingham lverhampton W Herefordshire Wo Stok lford & W Wa We Wo Te

Significant levels of out-commuting will have the effect of reducing estimates of an area’s GVA per resident head. According to data from the 2001 Census Warwickshire has a net commuting outflow of around 12,700 workers, which suggests that the true figure of GVA per Warwickshire resident may be higher than National Statistics’ estimate.

Both Birmingham and Coventry have significant levels of in-commuting which will have the opposite effect of ‘pushing up’ estimates of GVA per resident head. Solihull has a very low level of net out-commuting suggesting that its estimate of GVA per head is a fairer reflection of economic growth within the Borough.

An alternative measure that would help remove some of the distortions caused by commuting patterns and differing demographic structures is to calculate GVA per FTE (full-time equivalent employee).

As expected there is a strong link between commuting patterns and the change in relative position between Figure 2.14 ‘GVA per resident head’ and Figure 2.15 ‘GVA per FTE employee head’. The five Shire Counties, all of which have net commuting outflows, move up the rankings. These findings support the view that commuting patterns significantly influence estimates of GVA per resident head.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 27 Figure 2.15; GVA per full-time equivalent employee head, 2003

per head, £ ('000s) 30

20 Gross Value Added Gross Value 10

0 Solihull Coventry Sandwell Dudley & Shropshire Region Walsall & Walsall Birmingham Staffordshire Herefordshire Warwickshire West Midlands West Stoke-on-Trent Worcestershire Wolverhampton Telford & Wrekin Telford Source: National Statistics (www.statistics.gov.uk) © Crown Copyright 2006.

Outlook

The UK economy grew by 3.3% in 2004, its fastest rate for four years. However, in 2005 growth slowed sharply, to 1.9%, in response to higher interest rates, stabilising house prices, and rising energy costs.

In Warwickshire, the local economy continued to sustain high levels of employment and low unemployment during 2004-05.

Further Information

More information about Gross Value Added statistics is available from the National Statistics website, www.statistics.gov.uk. Alternatively, contact the Warwickshire Observatory on 01926 418066 or email [email protected].

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 28 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

JOBS IN WARWICKSHIRE

Description

The Office for National Statistics produces annual estimates of the numbers of employee jobs in an area through the Annual Business Inquiry (ABI). The total number of jobs is a workplace-based measure of jobs and comprises employees, self-employment jobs, government supported trainees and HM forces.

Performance

1. Jobs per 1,000 population

The density of jobs in an area, measured here as the number of jobs per 1,000 population, provides an indication of the health of the local labour market. The numbers of job opportunities in a local area will influence indicators such as employment and unemployment levels, and also the distance people need to travel to work. By district, there are significant differences in job numbers compared to local populations.

Figure 2.16; Number of jobs per 1,000 population, 2000–2004

1,000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

800

600

400 Number of jobs per 1,000 population 200

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford Warwick Warwick- West South England Warwick- Bedworth -on-Avon shire Midlands East & Wales shire

Nuneaton & Bedworth has by far the lowest number of jobs per 1,000 population at around 610. In contrast, Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick have a higher number of jobs relative to their populations than regional and national averages.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 29 Figure 2.17; Total Warwickshire employee jobs by district, 2004

North Warwickshire 32,000 jobs Warwick 12% of County total 80,000 jobs 30% of County total

Nuneaton & Bedworth 45,000 jobs 17% of County total

Rugby Stratford-on-Avon 46,000 jobs 63,000 jobs 17% of County total 24% of County total

2. Employment by Sector

Compared to the national average, the profile of employee jobs in Warwickshire is skewed towards jobs in the manufacturing, hotels & restaurants, transport and business services sectors. Jobs in finance, public administration, education & health are under- represented in the County compared with the national picture.

Figure 2.18; Profile of jobs by sector, 2004

North Nuneaton Stratford Warwick West England Column percentages Warks & Bedworth Rugby -on-Avon Warwick -shire Midlands & Wales Agriculture and fishing 0.9 0.1 1.0 5.0 0.6 1.6 0.8 0.8 Energy and water 2.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.8 0.9 0.5 0.5 Manufacturing 19.8 17.4 21.0 11.5 11.3 15.1 16.6 12.1 Construction 10.7 3.3 7.2 4.8 2.4 4.9 4.3 4.4 Distribution, hotels & restaurants 24.7 28.9 26.3 28.8 25.0 26.7 24.8 24.8 Transport & communications 15.5 9.7 5.6 3.6 6.2 7.2 5.4 6.0 Finance & business services 9.8 11.9 14.4 23.8 25.8 19.1 17.3 20.2 Public admin. education & heal th 12.6 24.5 19.7 17.2 21.0 19.4 25.8 26.1 Other services 3.9 4.3 4.8 5.2 5.8 5.0 4.5 5.1 Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 30 By District:

North Warwickshire – excellent communication links by both road and rail explain the strength of the transport & communications sector. Public administration, education & health, and finance & business services jobs are under-represented compared to the rest of Warwickshire.

Nuneaton & Bedworth – high proportions of jobs in manufacturing and retail.

Rugby – the presence of a number of large manufacturing employers means Rugby has the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the County.

Stratford – the influence of the tourist industry is readily apparent, with a high proportion of jobs in the hotels & restaurants sector. There are also a significant number of finance & business services jobs.

Warwick – a high concentration of jobs in finance & business services, and also in public administration, education & health.

Outlook

Recent projections, covering the period 2004 to 2014, produced by the Institute of Employment Research at Warwick University suggest that there will be steady employment growth in Warwickshire. The net result of this growth will be 22,000 additional jobs, an increase of 5.5%. This predicted growth in employment exceeds that estimated for the West Midlands and the national average.

The structure of employment by industrial sector will continue to change. Projections indicate that there will be a decline in employment within the primary (mainly agriculture), engineering, other manufacturing and construction sectors. This will be offset by a major growth in employment in business and other services, distribution (including wholesale and retail), education, health and social work.

Further Information

For further information on jobs in Warwickshire contact the Warwickshire Observatory, email [email protected] or telephone 01926 418066.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 31 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

INWARD INVESTMENT

Description

The Warwickshire Investment Partnership (WIPS) was formed in 1998 to promote and market the County to potential investors, agents, property developers and existing local companies. The Partnership provides a full range of services to support companies seeking to relocate, set up, or expand within Warwickshire.

This indicator measures the number of jobs created and safeguarded by the activities of the Partnership.

Performance

Warwickshire Investment Partnership received more than 1,000 enquiries during 2005/2006. The Partnership was successful in securing 68 investment projects for the County, creating 681 jobs and safeguarding a further 363.

The chart below shows the number of new jobs created and the number of existing jobs safeguarded by the Partnership between 2001/02 and 2005/06. Last year, the highest number of new jobs (457) was created in Nuneaton & Bedworth.

Figure 2.19; Inward investment successes 2001/02–2005/06

700 Jobs created Jobs safeguarded

600

500

400

300

200

100 Number of jobs created / safeguarded

0 2 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2001/0 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Source: Warwickshire Investment Partnership (www.warwickshire.gov.uk/wips).

Investment has continued to come from small indigenous businesses rather than from large inward investors. The highest proportion of enquiries came from the service and other business activities sectors. Encouragingly, the number of enquiries from people wanting to start-up a new business in Warwickshire increased significantly during 2005/06.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 32 Figure 2.20; Inward investment requirements by preferred location 1999/00– 2005/06

400 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06

300

200

100 Investment requirements by preferred location

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Note: Where a company is looking in more than one district, the requirement will be counted in all districts of their search. Hence, the number of requirements is higher than the number of enquiries received. Source: Warwickshire Investment Partnership (www.warwickshire.gov.uk/wips). For the first time Nuneaton & Bedworth was the most popular location for companies looking to invest in Warwickshire.

Outlook

Motorsport and High Performance Engineering is still a key focus for the Partnership. The proposed expansion of Prodrive’s research centre at Fen End near Kenilworth is a highly significant development for the sector. Other cluster work is also being carried out with sub-regional partners within Medical Technologies.

A new focus for the coming 12 months is Professional Services. Professional services include firms providing banking and insurance services; computing services; legal and property services; marketing services; accountancy services; and consultancy. The Partnership will be working closely with businesses within these sectors to address their needs and to establish a network whereby businesses can share best practice and utilise the business relationships made.

Further Information

For advice and support on inward investment visit the WIPS website, www.warwickshire.gov.uk/wips. Alternatively, email the Partnership at [email protected], or telephone 01926 412140.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 33 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

BUSINESS VIABILITY

Description

Although not capturing many of the smaller businesses operating below the VAT threshold, the numbers of businesses registering (and de-registering) for VAT provide the best guide to the pattern of business start-ups and closures. They are a useful indicator of the level of entrepreneurship and health of the business community and are widely used in regional and local economic planning.

Performance

1. VAT registered business stocks

At the start of 2005 there were 19,330 registered businesses in Warwickshire. This represents an increase of 0.8% on the previous year. In the three years to 2005 the average annual rate of growth in the Warwickshire stock of businesses has been 1.6%.

Figure 2.21; VAT Registered business stock at start of year, 2000–2005

3yr avg. 5yr avg. 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 growth growth

North Warwickshire 2,000 2,065 2,115 2,190 2,280 2,305 2.9% 2.9%

Nuneaton & Bedworth 2,380 2,415 2,450 2,500 2,525 2,570 1.6% 1.5% Rugby 2,695 2,765 2,805 2,875 2,940 2,980 2.0% 2.0% Stratford-on-Avon 5,785 5,995 6,085 6,205 6,315 6,335 1.4% 1.8% Warwick 4,715 4,880 4,985 5,090 5,120 5,140 1.0% 1.7% Warwickshire 17,575 18,125 18,440 18,865 19,180 19,330 1.6% 1.9% West Midlands 138,765 141,185 143,695 145,505 147,670 149,235 0.7% 1.0% South East 270,500 275,490 279,345 283,460 287,055 287,175 0.9% 1.2% England & Wales - - - - - 1,633,810 0.9% 1.0%

Since 2000, Warwickshire has enjoyed a faster rate of growth in its business stock than that taking place at the national level. By district, in the last three years, the fastest growth in the number of VAT registered businesses has been in North Warwickshire.

2. New VAT registrations

The future health of the UK economy is dependent on the capacity of individuals and businesses to innovate and adapt. Increasing prominence has been given to the need to develop an enterprise culture and the level of business start-ups, as measured by the number of new VAT registrations, is recognised as a key indicator of this.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 34 Business start-up rates vary in Warwickshire. In 2004 there were 83 VAT registrations per 10,000 working-age population in Stratford-on-Avon, but only 37 in Nuneaton & Bedworth. The pattern of business start-ups in Warwickshire closely mirrors that of self- employment levels.

Figure 2.22; New VAT registrations per 10,000 working-age residents, 2000–2004

100

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

registrations per 10,000 working-age residents 20 AT New V 0 North Nuneaton Rugby Stratford Warwick Warwick- West South East England Warwick- & Bedworth -on-Avon shire Midlands & Wales shire

3. Business start-ups

Barclays provide alternative estimates of start-ups. Barclay’s estimates of business formation are obtained by grossing up the number of new firms (not including those coming from other banks) by an estimate of Barclays’ market share. The figures cover only firms operated through a business current account (75-80% of all new firms, a stock of around 2.8 million in England & Wales).

Barclays’ figures have the advantage that they will pick up the very small businesses operating below the VAT threshold. Consequently, Barclays’ estimates of new business starts are higher than those obtained from looking at the number of new VAT registrations.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 35 Figure 2.23; New business starts and rate per 10,000 working-age residents, 2004–2005

2004 2005 Number Rate Number Rate Warwickshire 3,600 110 3,400 110 West Midlands 36,200 110 32,800 100 South East 70,500 140 60,600 120 England & Wales 446,500 140 388,300 120

Source: SME Market Analysis, Barclays Bank.

Barclay’s estimates suggest the rate of new business start-ups in Warwickshire is slightly lower than the national average, 11 per 1,000 working-age residents, compared to 12 nationally.

The lower level of new business formation during 2005 was almost certainly a reflection of weaker economic growth. However, it is important to put the 2005 estimate in context. Looking across the period since 1988, when estimates were first produced, a national figure of around 400,000 start-ups was typical. The volumes recorded in 2003 and 2004, 449,000 and 446,500 respectively, were by historical standards exceptionally high.

In absolute terms, three broad sectors – Business & Financial Services, Wholesale & Retail (incl. Motor Trades), and Construction – accounted for more than one-half of new firms in England & Wales during 2005. This reflects a combination of factors including the relative importance of these sectors, current strength, future potential and the relative ease of entering the sector.

4. Business survival rates

As well as generating new business it is important to ensure the survival of those businesses already in operation. Businesses have a much higher chance of failing during the first three years than at any other time. Business survival rates show the percentage of businesses that are still trading a certain number of years after their formation. The three-year survival rate for Coventry and Warwickshire businesses formed in 2001 is 71.1%.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 36 Figure 2.24; Business survival rates

1-year (businesses 3-year (businesses formed in 2003) formed in 2001)

Coventry & Warwickshire 92.5% 71.7%

West Midlands 92.0% 68.9%

South East 92.9% 71.1% England 92.0% 68.8%

Those businesses that do not survive are not necessarily failures. Research conducted in 2002 by Barclays Bank suggests that businesses close for many different reasons. Only 5% of businesses that were surveyed closed due to failure (insolvency or bankruptcy), whereas 48% said they had closed their business voluntarily and 29% had sold the business on to an individual or another business.

Outlook

Many factors influence the pattern of business start-ups. Among the most important are economic growth (encouraging new ventures and creating demand for business and personal services), the level of industrial restructuring and contracting out, and the stock of people with management or small business experience and entrepreneurial flair.

Although trading conditions for small businesses remain quite tough there was a strong rebound in the number of people starting a business in the first quarter of 2006. Estimates from Barlcays’ show that there were almost one quarter more business starts in the first quarter of 2006 than the same period of 2005.

Further Information

Information on the numbers of VAT registered businesses is available from the Small Business Service via the web, www.sbs.gov.uk. Alternatively, contact the Warwickshire Observatory, 01926 418066 or email [email protected].

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 37 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

BUSINESS LOCATION

Description

The Coventry and Warwickshire Employers Survey is commissioned by Warwickshire County Council, Coventry City Council, and the Learning & Skills Council, Coventry and Warwickshire, and has been conducted on a regular basis since 1994. More than 1,000 local employers are questioned about a wide range of issues, with the results providing a rich source of information relating to business activity and performance in the sub-region.

The survey asks employers across Coventry and Warwickshire to rate their satisfaction with the local area as a place to do business.

Performance

In 2006, two-thirds of Warwickshire businesses taking part in the survey rated the local area as a good or excellent place to do business. This proportion has remained constant since 2002. Businesses located in Stratford-on-Avon expressed the highest levels of satisfaction with their area as a business location.

Figure 2.25; Employers rating their local area as a good or excellent business location, 1998–2006

80 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2004 2006

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire % of businesses rating area as good or excellent business location Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Source: Coventry & Warwickshire Local Employers Surveys, 1998-2006.

This year there has been a mixed performance at district level: employer satisfaction levels increased in North Warwickshire, Rugby and Stratford-on-Avon, were fairly static in Nuneaton & Bedworth, but fell in Warwick.

It is important to note that the District level results are based on smaller sample sizes than the Countywide figure. This means they will be subject to greater year-on-year fluctuations and care must be taken when assessing the significance of an individual year’s result viewed in isolation.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 38 Employers with responses at the extremes of the scale were asked to provide reasons for their poor/excellent ratings. Employers providing an excellent rating tended to focus on the local area’s accessibility, transport links and access to customers. In the case of negative responses, dereliction, high levels of competition and business closures were all highlighted as concerns.

Outlook

Employer satisfaction with Warwickshire as a business location has remained at a consistently high level for several years. Significantly, there are signs that employer satisfaction in the north of the County is increasing and moving closer to the levels that exist in the south of the County.

Further Information

An electronic version of the 2006 Local Employers Survey is available online from the Warwickshire Observatory website, www.warwickshire.gov.uk/research. For further details contact the Warwickshire Observatory by e-mail [email protected]. uk or telephone 01926 418066.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 39 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

HOUSING AFFORDABILITY

Description

The ratio of average annual full-time earnings to average house prices is an indication of the relative affordability of owner-occupation. The Land Registry produces quarterly data on average house prices for different categories of housing and the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) publishes information on the distribution of earnings.

Performance

The Halifax House Price Index is the UK’s longest running monthly house price series, covering the whole country from January 1983. The UK Index is derived from the Society’s own data on mortgage approvals. House prices in Warwickshire peaked in the second quarter of 2004 and have since fallen by nearly 10%. Nationally, house prices have continued to increase, but at a slower rate.

Figure 2.26; Price of a typical property, 1997–2006

200

Warwickshire 150

, £,000s UK

100

50 Price of a typical property

0 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Source: Halifax House Price Index, (www.HBOSplc.com).

Despite the recent falls in Warwickshire house prices the effect of sustained increases during the preceding years means that the house price/income ratio, a key measure of housing affordability, remains at a historically high level.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 40 Figure 2.27; House prices (semi-detached) to earnings ratio, 1999–2005

10 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 9

3 House price / Earnings ratio

0 North Nuneaton Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwick West South England Warwick- & Bedworth on-Avon -shire Midlands East & Wales shire

Note: No data available for Nuneaton & Bedworth in 2004. Sources: Land Registry (www.landreg.gov.uk); Annual Survey of Hours & Earnings (ASHE), National Statistics (www.statistics.gov.uk) © Crown Copyright 2006.

In 2005, a semi-detached house in Warwickshire cost, on average, 7.5 times the typical annual wage for a full-time worker working in Warwickshire. However, it should be noted that the overall effect on affordability is tempered somewhat by the relatively low interest rate climate and associated low mortgage costs.

Outlook

House prices have continued to increase in the first-half of 2006. Data from the Halifax house price index show the price of the average house increased by 2.6% (quarter-on- quarter) in the second quarter of 2006. Looking ahead, August’s interest rate rise and speculation about future increases are likely to constrain housing demand in the near- term.

Further Information

Details of the Annual Survey of Hours & Earnings (ASHE) are available from National Statistics, www.statistics.gov.uk. Information on house prices can be obtained from the Land Registry for England and Wales, www.landreg.gov.uk

Alternatively, contact the Warwickshire Observatory, on 01926 412358 or email [email protected].

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 41 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

TOURISM

Description

For most of us “tourism” is simply the business of going on holiday. But tourism covers a multitude of leisure-time activities ranging from sightseeing and shopping to attending sports events or visiting friends and relatives. Tourists can be visiting from abroad or from within Britain, for many weeks or just on a day trip. What makes them all tourists is that they are travelling to a place outside their usual environment.

Tourism is an important sector of Warwickshire’s economy, with several of the region’s top attractions located within the County. Warwick Castle is one of the top tourist attractions in the country and in 2004 the Shakespeare Birthplace museum attracted more than 400,000 visitors. It is usual to think of leisure tourism as the main source of tourists visiting Warwickshire, but business tourism also makes an important contribution to the local tourist industry. Business events held in and around the County attract significant numbers of visitors, benefiting local accommodation, restaurants, pubs, shops and other amenities.

Performance

The tourism industry is a vital and well-established part of the Warwickshire economy – the hospitality and tourism sector (as defined by the English Tourism Council) supports close to 25,000 jobs within Warwickshire.

The measurement of tourism for a local authority is a complex process. It is possible to produce estimates of local tourism volume and value by disaggregating national data, but, in general, national sample sizes are too small to produce reliable trend data for decision purposes at the local level.

The figures presented here are derived by disaggregating results from national surveys. They provide an indication of the likely size of the tourism industry in Warwickshire, but need to be combined with other more local sources of information before any conclusions can be reached.

In 2003, the estimated number of tourists, domestic and those visiting from overseas, spending at least one night in Warwickshire was 4.5 million. The total expenditure generated by these tourist visits was £293 million.

Post-2003 data on the number of visits by domestic tourists to Warwickshire are not available, but national data suggest that the market was at worst stable in 2004.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 42 Figure 2.28; Numbers of overnight visitors to Warwickshire by origin, 2000–2005

5 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 (Overseas Visitors only)

3 sitor Nights (millions)

Vi 2

UK Residents Overseas Visitors All Visitors

Notes: No data available for 2004 and 2005 on domestic tourism; 2005 data for overseas visitors are provisional. Source: International Passenger Survey (IPS), National Statistics © Crown Copyright 2006; United Kingdom Tourism Survey, (www.staruk.org.uk).

National figures on inbound tourism to the UK show record numbers visiting the Country in 2004 and 2005. Estimates of the number of overseas tourists visiting Warwickshire appear to show a flat trend for 2004 and 2005. In 2005 overseas visitors spent an estimated £88 million in the County.

Outlook

A recent study has highlighted Warwickshire’s potential as a site to host training and preparation camps for the London Olympic Games in 2012. There are particular strengths in providing for equestrian sports, with top grade facilities at many locations. These include the Royal Agricultural Society of England at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire College at Morton Morrell and Royal Leamington Spa Polo Club.

The County Council, in partnership with the District Councils, is working to obtain more accurate local information on the visitor economy in Warwickshire. For the first time a Countywide visitor survey has been commissioned that will provide comparable information across all of Warwickshire’s districts.

Further Information

For further information on tourism in Warwickshire and the surrounding area visit the Heart of England Tourism website, www.visitheartofengland.com, or call them on +44 (0)1905 761100.

For more information on the County Council’s activities in support of Warwickshire’s visitor economy contact Angela Baines, Principal Tourism Development Officer, 01926 414150, or visit www.enjoywarwickshire.com.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 43

Social Indicators

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 519 Summary

Trend over time n/a Warwickshire compared with elsewhere n/a

COMMUNITY PRIORITIES

Description

The County Council’s Best Value User Satisfaction Survey asks residents to choose five factors that make somewhere a good place to live, and five factors that most need improving in their local area.

Performance

Residents in North Warwickshire and Rugby Boroughs think a low level of crime is the most important factor in making somewhere a good place to live. The residents of Warwick and Stratford Districts give the highest priority to affordable housing while those in Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough think that health services are the most important factor.

Taking the County as a whole, a low level of crime continues to be the most important issue, emphasising the relative importance of crime and disorder amongst Warwickshire’s communities. Two in three residents place this in their five key factors. Shopping facilities has become the third most important factor.

Figure 3.1; The three most important factors making somewhere a good place to live, by District, 2005

What would you say is the most important factor in making somewhere a good place to live

Factor 1 % Factor 2 % Factor 3 %

North Warwickshire Low level of crime 68 Health Services 64 Clean streets 33 Nuneaton & Bedworth Health Services 67 Low level of crime 65 Shopping facilities 34 Rugby Low level of crime 74 Health Services 51 Education provision 37 Stratford-on-Avon Affordable decent housing 66 Health Services 59 Shopping facilities 38 Warwick Affordable decent housing 61 Health Services 54 Parks and open spaces 38 Warwickshire Low level of crime 66 Health Services 58 Shopping facilities 32

Source: Warwickshire County Council Best Value User Satisfaction Survey 2005.

In terms of what most needs improving, overall the top three priorities have remained the same since the 2004 survey. The main priority across the County as a whole is the level of crime. However, only within two Districts does this appear in the top three priorities. Activities for teenagers is now the second highest rated issue within the County for improvement and appears within the top three priorities in four of Warwickshire’s five Districts. Traffic congestion no longer appears within the County’s top three priorities but has become a more important issue within Warwick District. Public transport remains an issue within the more rural Stratford-on-Avon District. Affordable decent housing appears to be a concern in the south of the County, whilst activities for teenagers and levels of crime appear more prominently in the north of the County.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 46 Figure 3.2; The three things that most need improving, by District, 2005

What would you say most needs improving in your local area

Factor 1 % Factor 2 % Factor 3 %

North Warwickshire Activities for teenagers 40 Low level of crime 32 Clean streets 30 Nuneaton & Bedworth Low level of crime 52 Activities for teenagers 39 Road and pavement repairs 35 Rugby Low level of crime 55 Activities for teenagers 34 Affordable decent housing 31 Stratford-on-Avon Affordable decent housing 36 Public transport 33 Road and pavement repairs 33 Warwick Affordable decent housing 43 Low level of crime 34 Levels of traffic congestion 34 Warwickshire Low level of crime 41 Activities for teenagers 34 Affordable decent housing 33

Source: Warwickshire County Council Best Value User Satisfaction Survey 2005.

Outlook

This is the third year that the County Council has asked these questions in its Best Value User Satisfaction Surveys. It will continue to ask residents for their views on community priorities enabling us to identify trends. The results will help agencies to identify areas for intervention and priority.

Further Information

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 47 Summary

Trend over time

Warwickshire compared with elsewhere n/a

COMMUNITY WELL-BEING

Description

The overall sense of satisfaction that residents have with local life provides a useful indicator of community well-being.

The County Council’s Best Value User Satisfaction Survey asks residents whether they are satisfied or dissatisfied with their neighbourhood as a place to live. The 2005 survey was the sixth year that this information had been collected, and future surveys will continue to monitor trends.

Performance

More than 80% of Warwickshire residents are happy with their neighbourhood as a place to live. A much smaller proportion, 8%, stated that they are dissatisfied with their neighbourhood. There are some variations at District level, illustrated below.

Figure 3.3; Satisfaction with Your Neighbourhood as a Place to Live

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 100

Percentage of residents satisfied with their neighbourhood as a place to live North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Source: Warwickshire County Council Best Value User Satisfaction Surveys.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 48 The percentage of residents who were satisfied with their neighbourhood as a place to live increased slightly between 2004 and 2005 to almost 84%. Satisfaction levels continue to be higher in the south of the County; however the District showing the biggest increase from last year’s survey was Nuneaton & Bedworth, which recorded an increase of 6%. North Warwickshire, which recorded a 12 percentage point increase in satisfaction last year has now fallen back to 84%, but this is still higher than the rates recorded from 2000 to 2003. Satisfaction in Stratford-on-Avon increased by 4%, but remained unchanged in Warwick and fell by almost six percentage points in Rugby.

Outlook

Satisfaction has been increasing slowly over the last six years within Warwickshire but variations within the Districts still exist. The County Council will continue to ask residents their views on their neighbourhoods each year in similar surveys.

Further Information

For further information about the results from the County Council’s Best Value User Satisfaction Survey contact Louise Richards in the Performance and Development Directorate on 01926 416124 or email [email protected] Alternatively, email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 49 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere n/a

SOCIAL PARTICIPATION

Description

Voluntary activity and participation in social and community groups promotes social inclusion and benefits both those taking part and the recipients.

As part of its Best Value User Satisfaction Survey, the County Council asks residents if they have been actively involved in a community or voluntary group or activity during the past twelve months.

Performance

More than one quarter of respondents to the survey reported that they had been actively involved with at least one local community or voluntary organisation in the past twelve months. This figure is virtually unchanged from the results of the 2003 and 2004 surveys, but there are some significant fluctuations at District level.

Figure 3.4; Percentage of residents actively involved with at least one community or voluntary organisation in the past twelve months, 2000 – 2005

40 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

15 Percentage of residents 10

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Source: Warwickshire County Council Best Value User Satisfaction Surveys.

Rugby Borough demonstrated a rise of 6 percentage points to 29% with Nuneaton & Bedworth and North Warwickshire Boroughs also recording small increases from last years survey. Levels in the south of the County have fallen from last years results.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 50 Outlook

This is the sixth time that residents have been asked about their participation in community and voluntary groups. The County Council will continue to ask the same question each year in similar surveys, enabling the monitoring of trends over time.

Further Information

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 51 Summary

Trend over time n/a Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

HAPPINESS

Description

In 2005, the West Midlands Regional Observatory conducted a Lifestyle Survey of more than 55,000 residents across the region. Within the questionnaire, respondents were asked to express how often they felt ‘happy’. For the purposes of this analysis, respondents who reported that they were happy ‘all of the time’ or ‘most of the time’ have been classified as ‘happy’. From the results we have been able to identify some of the key characteristics associated with ‘happiness’.

Performance

Within Warwickshire, 54% of respondents were classified as happy, compared to 51% in the West Midlands as a whole. This ranks Warwickshire as the third most happy County in the West Midlands, behind respondents from Shropshire and Herefordshire.

Respondents from North Warwickshire Borough appear to be the happiest in the County, and the second happiest of all Local Authorities in the West Midlands. Respondents from Rugby Borough appear to be the least happy in the County, slightly lower than the overall West Midlands figure.

Figure 3.5; Percentage of respondents who describe themselves as being happy ‘all of the time’ or ‘most of the time’, by District

60%

50%

40%

30% Percentage of respondents 20%

10%

0 North Nuneaton Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire West Warwickshire & Bedworth on-Avon Midlands

There are also some variations in ‘happiness’ related to the type of area the respondent lives in. Within Warwickshire, 62% of respondents who live in the most rural areas are happy, whilst just 53% of those living in urban centres are happy.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 52 Happiness appears to vary considerably with age, Figure 3.6 shows the percentage of respondents who are happy, by age group. Young adults appear to be the happiest age group, but as middle-age approaches happiness appears to decline. Happiness then appears to increase at around retirement age, but then falls away again at around 70 years of age.

Figure 3.6; Percentage of respondents who are ‘happy’, by age group

Male All Female

60 % Happy

18-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85+

There appear to be no significant differences between the happiness of males and females up until the age of 35, but after this time males appear slightly happier. Although levels of happiness remain similar for males and females for most age groups, bigger differences emerge after retirement age, with males appearing significantly happier.

Outlook

This is the first time that the happiness of Warwickshire residents has been measured in this much detail. However, we are keen to follow up this initial work with further research to help understand how the quality of life for Warwickshire residents can be improved.

The measurement of happiness is also being tackled on a wider scale, a programme on BBC television earlier this year highlighted some of the issues that can contribute to greater happiness. Their research highlighted that 81% of respondents thought that government’s prime objective should be greater happiness rather then greater wealth.

Further Information

For further information about the results from the Regional Lifestyle Survey contact David Gardiner in the Warwickshire Observatory on 01926 418049. Alternatively, email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 53 Summary

Trend over time n/a Warwickshire compared with elsewhere n/a

HEALTHY LIVING

Description

Current recommendations are that everyone should eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables each day and undertake 30 minutes of mild or moderate physical activity on at least five days a week to benefit general health and reduce the risks of cancer and coronary heart disease and many other chronic diseases. The County Council’s Best Value User Satisfaction Survey includes a number of questions on the lifestyles of respondents, including how they described their general health, how frequently they took part in moderate physical activity and their consumption of fruit and vegetables.

Performance

Nearly one half of respondents (49%) classified their health as being ‘good’ over the last twelve months and 39% as ‘fairly good’; these results were little changed from last year’s survey and varied little between Districts. Just over 12% described their health as ‘not good’.

Figure 3.7; Percentage of residents taking thirty minutes or more moderate physical activity three or more times per week, by District

District/Borough 2003 2004 2005 North Warwickshire 50.4% 56.7% 59.6% Nuneaton & Bedworth 52.6% 56.4% 60.6% Rugby 62.6% 56.7% 63.6% Stratford-on-Avon 61.8% 65.8% 66.9% Warwick 60.6% 64.7% 61.1%

Warwickshire 58.1% 61.6% 62.5%

Source: Warwickshire County Council Best Value User Satisfaction Surveys.

The percentage of residents taking thirty minutes or more moderate physical activity during the week has increased slightly in the County in 2005 with the north beginning to catch up with the south of the County; Warwick District, however, recorded a decrease of 3.6 percentage points. Male respondents appear to take part in more physical activity than females with 68% of males taking thirty minutes or more physical activity during the week compared to 58% among females. Overall, the results from the survey are encouraging and hopefully this trend will continue.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 54 Figure 3.8; Percentage of residents eating five or more portions of fruit and vegetables per day, by District

District/Borough 2003 2004 2005 North Warwickshire 14.2% 17.8% 22.1% Nuneaton & Bedworth 13.9% 16.7% 20.8% Rugby 9.6% 19.0% 22.2% Stratford-on-Avon 17.4% 26.0% 27.0% Warwick 16.7% 21.3% 22.4%

Warwickshire 14.7% 20.3% 23.0%

Source: Warwickshire County Council Best Value User Satisfaction Surveys.

All the Districts have demonstrated an increase in the numbers of people eating five or more portions of fruit and vegetables per day over the last three years. In general, women eat fruit and vegetables more often than men - 26% of females compared to 19% of males eat five portions per day as recommended.

Outlook

This is the third year that the County Council has asked these questions on healthy lifestyles in the Best Value User Satisfaction Surveys. The information is available to agencies to help identify areas in need of improvement across the County and to promote healthier lifestyles.

Further Information

For more information about the results from the County Council’s Best Value User Satisfaction Survey contact David Gardiner in the Warwickshire Observatory on 01926 418049. Alternatively, email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 55 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

SMOKING CESSATION

Description

The Department of Health’s ongoing ‘Don’t give up giving up’ campaign was launched in December 1999, as part of the Government’s initiative to encourage 1.5 million people to stop smoking by 2010.

Smoke Free Warwickshire Alliance is a multi-agency alliance committed to providing smoke free air, helping smokers to stop and promoting a tobacco free society. Warwickshire Stop Smoking Service is part of this alliance and is an NHS-funded service. Since it began in 2000 the Service has aimed to support smokers who are ready to stop smoking and has so far exceeded the targets it has been set.

Performance

Although the number of service users still quit after four weeks of using the Warwickshire Stop Smoking Service has fallen slightly during 2005/06, figures are still high and the County as a whole has achieved its three year target.

Warwickshire was set a target to help 8,652 service users successfully give up smoking during the past three years. It has achieved 8,712 indicating success for the initiative as a whole.

Figure 3.9; Number of Service Users still quit at four-week follow-up

3,500 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500 Number of Service Users 1,000

500

0 North Warks PCT Rugby PCT South Warks PCT Warwickshire

Note: This is not the total number of people stopping smoking in Warwickshire as many smokers stop without the use of the Service. Source: Warwickshire Stop Smoking Service.

Figures vary across the County, with two of the five Districts achieving their three year targets. In particular, Rugby significantly over-achieved its target, while Stratford-on-Avon also performed well.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 56 Figure 3.10; Number of Service Users still quit at four-week follow-up, Districts

Performance District Three Year Target Last Three Years Actual against target

North Warwickshire 1,290 1,240 - 50

Nuneaton & Bedworth 2,680 2,551 - 129

Rugby 1,350 1,551 + 201

Stratford-on-Avon 1,613 1,698 + 85

Warwick 1,719 1,672 - 47

Warwickshire 8,652 8,712 + 60

Source: Warwickshire Stop Smoking Service.

According to the County Council’s 2005 User Satisfaction Survey, there has been a further increase in the number of ex-smokers across the County, with 28% of respondents now stating that they have given up smoking.

Figure 3.11; Average Number of Cigarettes Smoked, Warwickshire, 2003 & 2004

60%

2003 2004 2005

50%

40%

30%

Percentage of Respondents 20%

10%

0% Never smoked Ex-smoker 1 - 9 per day 10 -19 per day 20+ per day

Source: Warwickshire County Council User Satisfaction Survey 2005.

In 2005, 2.7% of respondents stated that they smoked twenty or more cigarettes per day. This is down on the 2004 figure of 2.9% and is the second successive reduction.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 57 In 2005, 48% of smokers stated that they would like to give up. This figure has fallen from 50% in 2004 which in turn was down on the 2003 figure of 56%.

A similar proportion of men and women smoke, although a higher percentage of females have never smoked while more men have smoked in the past but have now given up. Of those who do smoke, men are more likely to smoke at least twenty cigarettes per day.

Figure 3.12; Cigarettes smoked by age, 2005

100%

17 - 34 35 - 49 50 - 64 65+

80%

60%

40% Percentage of Respondents

20%

0% Non-smokers Smoke 1 - 19 per day Smoke 20+ per day

Source: Warwickshire County Council User Satisfaction Survey 2005.

The available information suggests that younger people are more likely to smoke, although the youngest age group (17–34) is least likely to smoke more than twenty cigarettes per day. Smaller proportions of the older age groups smoke, although those that do tend to smoke more per day, on average, than younger age groups. The desire to stop smoking does not appear to vary significantly with age.

Outlook

In February 2006, MPs voted for a comprehensive smoke free law for England as part of the new Health Bill, meaning that smoking will not be allowed in any enclosed workplace or public place from summer 2007. The Smoke Free Warwickshire Alliance (made up of the NHS, Warwickshire County Council and all Borough and District councils in the County) are offering guidance to all businesses on going smoke free and how they will benefit, both financially as well as having a healthier workforce, with an effective smoking policy. The Smoke Free Warwickshire Alliance are also actively promoting and supporting local applications for the National Clean Air Award, the first national Award to recognise employers that protect staff from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 58 Targets and action plans for the Stop Smoking Service and Tobacco Control Programme have been developed to March 2008. Actions being implemented include the development of the Stop Smoking Service to address ‘difficult-to-reach’ groups, review and develop smoke free policies in public and private sector organisations and adopt a wide-ranging strategy to reduce the effects of second-hand smoke with particular emphasis on the benefits of a smoke free home.

Further Information

For further information on smoking cessation issues contact Jane Wright, Warwickshire Smoking Cessation Co-ordinator, on 0800 0852917 or email [email protected]. For information on smoke free working, please contact [email protected] or visit www.smokefreewarwickshire.org.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 59 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

SUBSTANCE MISUSE

Description

In Warwickshire, the drugs agenda is co-ordinated and managed by the Drug and Alcohol Action Team, a multi-agency team made up of the County Council, District and Borough Councils, NHS Primary Care Trusts, Police and Probation Service. The work of the Drug and Alcohol Action Team is primarily to tackle illicit drugs, though it is recognised that alcohol is also a substance that is misused. Initial research by Glasgow University estimates that there are 1,700 – 2,000 problematic drug users in Warwickshire.

Performance

Drugs Misuse

There are a number of different types of drug offence. The two main offences are trafficking and possession. The number of drug offences increased significantly in 2005/06, largely as a consequence of targeted Police initiatives. For example, an initiative at a music festival in Stratford-on-Avon accounted for the notable rise in offences attached to that particular District.

Figure 3.13; Recorded drug offences in Warwickshire 2001/02 – 2005/06

District/Borough 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06

North Warwickshire 67 69 95 155 254 Nuneaton & Bedworth 139 213 209 150 275

Rugby 232 245 189 252 174 Stratford-on-Avon 112 119 291 221 414

Warwick 121 116 160 136 207

Warwickshire 671 762 944 914 1,324

Source: Warwickshire Police.

There is a strong link between crime and drugs and many users need to resort to crime to pay for their habit. To break the cycle between crime and drugs every effort is made to get users into treatment. For this reason, the Drug and Alcohol Action Team monitors the number of users in drug treatment. In 2005/06 there were 1,182 people in treatment, the third consecutive increase.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 60 Figure 3.14; Number of people in drug treatment in Warwickshire 2000/01 - 2005/06

1200 Number of People in Drug Treatment

1000

800

600

Number of People 400

200

0 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06

Source: National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS).

Alcohol Misuse

During 2005/06 the Community Alcohol Service (run by Swanswell Trust) dealt with more than 1,350 clients resident in Warwickshire.

Clients were located across the whole County, although the highest numbers were in Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough and Warwick District. Taking account of different population sizes, the highest rates were attached to Nuneaton & Bedworth and Rugby Boroughs.

Figure 3.15; Clients with Alcohol Related Problems, 2002/03 – 2005/06

Rate per 1000 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 population (05/06) North Warwickshire 90 118 119 119 1.9 Nuneaton & Bedworth 278 312 372 368 3.1 Rugby 228 249 248 249 2.8 Stratford-on-Avon 153 134 215 157 1.3 Warwick 272 267 348 276 2.0 Not known/not recorded 72 160 142 183 - Warwickshire 1,093 1,240 1,444 1,352 2.6

Source: Swanswell Trust. Figures relate to users only.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 61 During 2005/2006, 64% of clients were male. Although clients from most age groups have been in contact with the service, there is a concentration around the 30 – 50 age band. The graph below illustrates the distribution of clients across different age groups, with a comparison with the general Warwickshire population. It illustrates that all age groups between 20 and 60 are relatively over-represented in terms of service clients.

Figure 3.16; Clients with Alcohol Related Problems by Age, 2005/2006 20% General Population

Alcohol Service Users

15% l ta To

10% Percentage of

0 - 5 - 10 - 15 - 20 - 25 - 30 - 35 - 40 - 45 - 50 - 55 - 60 - 65 - 70 - 75 - 80+ 4 9 14 19 24 29 34 39 44 49 54 59 64 69 74 79

Age Group

Source: Swanswell Trust, Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Outlook

In 2005/06 Warwickshire’s Community Safety Partnership and Drug Action Team will spend approximately £5 million on tackling drugs in Warwickshire. Some of the money will go towards providing treatment, some of the money will go towards community safety and criminal justice schemes and some of the money will go towards drug education and awareness, in particular targeting education at young people.

Warwickshire has in place a Joint Commissioner for Alcohol. This post has a responsibility for coordinating a task group across the health, social care and voluntary sectors, and Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnerships, to develop a cohesive alcohol strategy for Warwickshire in line with the National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy. This will involve reviewing existing provision and identifying priorities within the strategy to take forward. A specific element will be joint working to reduce the level of alcohol- related violent crime.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 62 ‘Choosing Health’, the Government’s public health White Paper, indicates that in 2007/08 and thereafter there will be dedicated funding available to those areas in greatest need. For example, North Warwickshire as a designated Spearhead PCT will receive extra funding.

Further Information

For more information about substance misuse in Warwickshire please contact Heather Kelly at the Drug and Alcohol Action Team (01926 746807). Alternatively, email [email protected] or visit the DAAT website, www.wdat.org.uk

For more information about the Swanswell Trust visit their website www.swanswelltrust.org, email rugbyadmin@swanswelltrust or phone 01788 565970.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 63 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

PERCEPTION OF ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

Description

In addition to monitoring levels of crime, Warwickshire Police collect figures on anti- social behaviour (ASB) incidents. ASB incidents are events that are not actual crimes, but nevertheless add to general dissatisfaction with an area and compound fear of crime levels. Various consultation exercises have illustrated that incidents such as nuisance youths, noise nuisance, neighbour disputes and other forms of disorder all have a significant impact upon quality of life. The County Council’s annual Public Satisfaction Survey asks residents to describe their perceptions of ASB within their local area.

Performance

Generally, perceived levels of anti-social behaviour have fallen during the past three years, with around one in four residents currently having a high level of perceived disorder.

Figure 3.17; Perception of Anti-Social Behaviour

Percentage of residents with a high level of perceived anti-social behaviour 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06

North Warwickshire 41.8% 26.5% 21.3%

Nuneaton & Bedworth 43.7% 34.5% 32.6%

Rugby 40.4% 31.9% 29.4%

Stratford-on-Avon 31.7% 20.4% 24.5%

Warwick 34.5% 24.0% 25.7%

Warwickshire 37.9% 27.4% 26.5%

Source: Warwickshire County Council User Satisfaction Surveys.

Levels have fallen most in the north of the County, and levels of perceived disorder are now fairly consistent across Warwickshire. Residents in Nuneaton & Bedworth have the most significant concerns, with one in three residents having a high level of perceived disorder. North Warwickshire now has the lowest level, with around one in five residents having high levels of perceived ASB.

Anti-social behaviour is clearly a subjective term and can mean different things to different people. The County Council’s annual survey asks residents to consider a range of different types of ASB and state how much of a problem they are locally. The graph below illustrates the percentage of residents who feel these types of ASB are a fairly big or very big problem in their neighbourhood.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 64 Figure 3.18; Perceptions of Different Types of ASB

Teenagers hanging around on streets

Vandalism, graffiti and other deliberate damage to properties or vehicles

People using or dealing drugs

People being drunk or rowdy in public places

Rubbish and litter lying around

Abandoned or burnt out cars

People being attacked because of their skin colour, ethnic origin or religion

People sleeping rough on the streets or in public places

Noisy neighbours or loud parties

0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Percentage of Residents

The majority of Warwickshire’s residents view teenagers hanging around on streets as a problem in their local area. A number of other ASB types are also perceived to be a local problem by at least four in ten residents, including vandalism and graffiti, drug misuse, drunk or rowdy behaviour and litter.

Outlook

In April 2006, partners across Warwickshire worked together to produce a joint Anti- Social Behaviour Strategy, outlining the County’s approach to dealing with ASB. In addition, most parts of the County now have Anti-Social Behaviour Officers working locally to reduce community-based ASB issues.

Further Information

For more information about the statistics used in this indicator contact Spencer Payne in the Warwickshire Observatory on 01926 418645. Alternatively email research@ warwickshire.gov.uk

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 65 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

YOUTH OFFENDING

Description

Warwickshire’s Youth Justice Plan covers the period April 2006 to March 2007, setting out medium term plans to tackle youth crime and anti-social behaviour by young people. It is designed to meet performance indicators published by the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, several of which are shared with partner agencies or are complementary to other County strategies.

Performance

During 2005, 975 young people aged 10-17 years who live in Warwickshire were notified to the Youth Offending Team (YOT) in relation to 1,864 crimes. This represents 1.89% of the 10-17 year old population of 51,325 in Warwickshire and is a reduction of 14% since 2001.

Thirty young people committed 15% of known youth crime in Warwickshire during 2005. Criminal damage and theft each accounted for 33% of the total. Other offence types included violent offences (23.5%), motoring offences (16.5%), vehicle theft (4%) and drugs offences (3.3%).

Local priorities for Warwickshire over the forthcoming year are to prevent offending and to reduce re-offending. The following targets have been set:

• Reduce year-on-year the number of first time entrants to the youth justice system by identifying children and young people at risk of offending or involvement in anti- social behaviour.

• Improve the rate of ‘re-offending within 12 months’ over the next 3 years, aiming to achieve 37% of young offenders identified in the 2005 cohort re-offending during 2006.

Prevention

Figures for 2005 show a further 6% reduction in the number of young people entering the youth justice system and no significant rise in the numbers of crimes committed by them. As a proportion of all offences taken through the criminal justice system youth crime has fallen by 1% during a time when the police and CPS are taking more offenders successfully through the courts.

Target: Reduce the number of first time entrants into the youth justice system by 5% to no more than 625.

Achieved: 6% reduction from 657 to 617 as first time entrants into the youth justice system.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 66 Figure 3.19; Young Offenders 2001 – 2005

2001 2004 2005 New entrants into the youth justice system - Reprimands / Final warnings n/a 562 530 - First time direct to court n/a 85 87 Total 657 617

Total number of young people in the youth justice system (pre-court and court) 1,028 961 975

Offences committed - excluding breach of court order 2,169 1,842 1,868

Source: Warwickshire Youth Offending Team.

Reduction in Re-offending

Of the 975 young people who were formally involved in the youth justice system in 2005, 617 were subject either to a reprimand, final warning or were one of 83 who were charged straight to court without prior police action.

Target: “by December 2005 achieve a reduction of 5% re-offending within 24 months based on the 2002 cohort compared with the 2003 cohort after 24 months.”

Figure 3.20; Re-offending

2003 outturn 2004 outturn 2005 outturn 2005 2001 cohort 2002 cohort 2003 cohort target % re-offending % re-offending % re-offending

within 24 months within 24 months within 24 months

Pre-Court 25.9 32.4 23.7 Community penalties 78.0 75.0 61.6

Custody 77.7 75.0 75.0 Average 48.0 53.0 40.0 50.4

Source: Warwickshire Youth Offending Team.

During the past year, more than 60% of Final Warnings were supported by an intervention. The level of custodial sentences was 5.6% of all court sentences.

Another area of progress in the past year relates to the use of Restorative Justice Processes. In 2005, 90% of identified victims of youth crime were offered the opportunity to participate in restorative processes. Of those that did 90% were highly satisfied with the process.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 67 Intensive Supervision and Surveillance programmes were further developed during 2005 with the Youth Offending Team achieving 7 more young people starting these programmes than the original number anticipated for the period.

Outlook

Working with other criminal justice agencies the Youth Offending Team has continued to meet the national target of reducing delays in the time from arrest to sentence of 71 days or less. The Team has made strides towards further improving its joint business processes, the move to the Criminal Justice Centre in Nuneaton further strengthening this. A similar development is progressing in the south of the county where, as in Nuneaton, YOT will be accommodated with the Courts, Police, CPS, Probation and Victim and Witness Services.

Key objectives for the forthcoming year are continuation of work started with the Local Authority, Learning & Skills Council and ConneXions to improve education, training and employment opportunities for young people who are supervised by YOT, the more systematic use of offending behaviour programmes and a further increase in restorative justice processes. YOT is also looking to strengthen its support to parents and, with financial support from the government, are planning to develop youth crime prevention services.

Further Information

For more details on YOT, contact Diane Johnson, Head of the Youth Offending Service. Phone 01926 416204 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 68 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

FEAR OF CRIME

Description

Several consultation exercises have illustrated that fear of crime and disorder is one of the most important factors influencing the quality of life of residents in Warwickshire. The County Council’s User Satisfaction Survey includes a number of questions about the fear of crime; this is the sixth successive year that the survey has been carried out.

Performance

Residents were asked how worried they were about three different types of crime – burglary, car crime and physical violence from a stranger. The fear of crime in Warwickshire appears to have fallen during recent years for two of the three key crime types – burglary and vehicle crime; both measures are at their lowest since these indicators have been collected. Fear of violent crime has increased and is at its highest level since this indicator began.

Figure 3.21; Fear of Crime by District, 2000 – 2005

Percentage of respondents either “very worried” or “fairly worried”about: ... having their home ... being physically ... having their car District/Borough broken into and attacked by strangers stolen something stolen 2000 2003 2004 2005 2000 2003 2004 2005 2000 2003 2004 2005 North Warwickshire 72% 71% 61% 65% 50% 45% 39% 43% 73% 63% 54% 61% Nuneaton & Bedworth 76% 76% 70% 72% 59% 53% 56% 56% 66% 57% 61% 58% Rugby 70% 74% 69% 68% 49% 49% 53% 59% 60% 62% 61% 55%

Stratford-on-Avon 60% 59% 55% 51% 38% 37% 34% 39% 50% 48% 44% 41% Warwick 64% 54% 56% 55% 43% 37% 43% 52% 57% 46% 45% 44% Warwickshire 68% 66% 62% 61% 48% 44% 45% 50% 60% 54% 52% 50%

Source: Warwickshire County Council Best Value User Satisfaction Surveys.

North Warwickshire has suffered increases this year in all three indicators.

There are still notable differences between the north and south of the County; fear of burglary has increased in the two northernmost districts but decreased in the two southernmost.

Long term trends are on the whole positive in almost all cases with the only exceptions being fear of physical attack in Rugby, Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick which are up on the 2000 baselines.

Fear of crime varies among different age groups, with the fear of being a victim of crime often bearing little resemblance to the real level of risk.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 69 Figure 3.22; Residents worried about being the victim of crime by age, 2005 e

80 18 - 34 35 - 49 50 - 64 65+

0 Percentage of residents worried about being a victim crim Domestic Burglary Violent Crime Vehicle Crime

Source: Warwickshire County Council Best Value User Satisfaction Survey 2005.

Compared with last year’s results, fear of being a victim of violent crime has increased by 11 percentage points in the 18-34 year age group and by 8 percentage points in the 35- 49 year age group whereas in the older age groups there has been a slight reduction.

The fear of domestic burglary has increased by 3 percentage points in the 35-49 year age group and fear of having your car stolen has increased by 6 percentage points in the 18-34 year group. The older age groups have seen a decrease in the numbers worried about being a victim of crime in all three categories and it is hoped that this continues since levels of burglary and vehicle crime are at their lowest since this data has been collected.

Outlook

The five District-based Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnerships have three year strategies including an aim to reduce the fear of crime. The partnerships include the Police, Councils and a range of other agencies, all of whom will be working to help make residents feel safer in Warwickshire.

Further Information

For more information about the results from the County Council’s Best Value User Satisfaction Survey contact Louise Richards in the Performance and Development Directorate on 01926 416124 or email [email protected] For more details on the fear of crime information contact Spencer Payne in the Warwickshire Observatory on 01926 418645. Alternatively email research@ warwickshire.gov.uk

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 70 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

RECORDED CRIME

Description

Crime and disorder and the perception of crime is consistently demonstrated to be the single most significant factor influencing quality of life for residents of Warwickshire. This indicator considers levels of recorded crime, as produced by Warwickshire Police. It focuses on ‘volume crimes’ such as burglary, violence, vehicle crime and criminal damage.

Performance

Between April 2005 and March 2006, a total of 43,419 crimes were recorded in Warwickshire. This represents an increase of 288 or 0.7% on the preceding twelve months.

There were increases in three of the five Districts, ranging from 4% in Stratford-on-Avon up to 7% in North Warwickshire. There were small decreases in Warwick (2%) and Nuneaton & Bedworth (4%).

Figure 3.23; Recorded Crime Rates 2005/06

All Domestic Violent Vehicle Criminal District/Borough Crimes Burglary Crime Crime Damage

North Warwickshire 78.6 11.4 11.1 13.4 14.4 Nuneaton & Bedworth 102.4 14.1 18.5 13.2 26.6 Rugby 96.5 17.2 15.1 15.8 24.0 Stratford-on-Avon 63.7 7.1 10.3 9.3 11.5 Warwick 74.4 9.2 14.2 9.5 18.2 Warwickshire 82.7 11.5 14.1 11.8 19.2 Most Similar Forces 93.3 10.2 16.8 11.3 20.4

Rates are per 1000 population except domestic burglary (per 1000 households). Source: Warwickshire Police.

During 2005/06, domestic burglary and vehicle crime decreased while recorded violent crime and criminal damage increased slightly.

According to the British Crime Survey, Warwickshire residents faced a 17.5% chance of suffering a household crime during 2005. This compares to an average of 17.1% across the policing areas deemed to be most similar to Warwickshire (including West Mercia, Cheshire and Wiltshire among others).

In terms of personal crime, Warwickshire’s residents faced a 7.1% risk during 2005, compared to an average of 6.1% across the most similar Police force areas.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 71 Figure 3.24; Recorded Crime Rates 2003/04 – 2005/06

20 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06

5 Crime per 1,000 Population/Households

0 Violent Vehicle Domestic Criminal Crime Crime Burglary Damage

Source: Warwickshire Police, Warwickshire County Council. Rates are per 1000 population/households as appropriate.

Outlook

In April 2005, the five District-based Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnerships launched three-year strategies to reduce crime and the fear of crime across Warwickshire. All five strategies set targets for the crime types discussed here, along with a range of other priority areas identified in audits and consultation exercises. The Partnerships include the Police, Councils and a range of other agencies, all of whom will be working to help make Warwickshire an even safer place to be.

Further Information

For more information about the recorded crime figures contact Spencer Payne in the Warwickshire Observatory on 01926 418645. Alternatively email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 72 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere n/a

SATISFACTION WITH HEALTH SERVICES

Description

As part of the quality agenda set out in the NHS Plan there is an increased emphasis on involving the public in shaping the way the NHS works. This involves increased consultation with NHS users, for example through user satisfaction surveys.

This is the fifth year that the County Council’s Best Value User Satisfaction Survey asked residents of Warwickshire how satisfied they were with health services in their area.

Performance

Just over 58% of residents in Warwickshire are satisfied with the provision of health services in their local area. Those dissatisfied increased to 20% from 16% last year, leaving a net satisfaction level of 38%. This is down on last year’s figure by twelve percentage points.

Figure 3.25; Percentage of residents satisfied with health services, by District

80% 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

70%

60%

50%

40%

30% Percentage of residents satisfied 20%

10%

0% North Nuneaton Rugby Stratford Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire & Bedworth on-Avon

Source: Warwickshire County Council Public Satisfaction Surveys.

There have been decreases in satisfaction levels across all parts of the County during 2005. Two of the five Districts, Nuneaton & Bedworth and Stratford-on-Avon currently have their lowest recorded satisfaction levels. In particular, satisfaction levels in Nuneaton & Bedworth have reduced by 14 percentage points since last year and Warwick by just over 12 percentage points.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 73 There are some variations in satisfaction levels among different age groups. Satisfaction with health services increases with age, with the main users of the health service (those aged over sixty-five) displaying particularly high levels of satisfaction. Respondents aged under fifty held less strong views, with approximately one quarter stating that they were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. Satisfaction levels decreased for all age groups between 2004 and 2005; the 50-64 years age group recorded the greatest reduction in satisfaction levels of 13 percentage points.

Figure 3.26; Percentage of residents satisfied with health services, by age

100%

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

80%

60%

40% Percentage of residents satisfied

20%

0.0 18-34 years 35-49 years 50-64 years 65plus years

Source: Warwickshire County Council Public Satisfaction Surveys.

The survey also asked respondents whether they had a long-standing illness, disability or infirmity. Those who stated that they did have a long-term illness had slightly higher satisfaction levels than those who didn’t (60% compared to 57% respectively). Again, this suggests that those who regularly use the services have a higher level of satisfaction than the general public. The satisfaction levels within the group with a long-standing illness however decreased by 10 percentage points compared to last year.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 74 Outlook

All Primary Care Trusts and Acute Hospital Trusts now have a responsibility to survey their patients annually. Following this they are expected to take action to address areas where patients highlight dissatisfaction.

The Acute Services Review published in June 2006, commissioned by the West Midlands South Strategic Health Authority, outlined recommendations for the future provision of health services in Warwickshire. The period of public consultation highlighted much concern about the proposals being considered; this may have a potential impact on this indicator in the next public satisfaction survey.

Further Information

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 75 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

LIFE EXPECTANCY

Description

Life expectancy is the number of years a baby born in a particular time and place would live, if it experienced the mortality rates of that time and place throughout its life. The figure reflects mortality among those living in the area in each time period, rather than mortality among those born in each area. It has been chosen as one of the national health inequalities targets in order to reduce the difference between the best and worst areas in the country by ten per cent by 2010. The results are rolling averages, produced by aggregating deaths and population estimates for each three year period.

Performance

Life expectancy within the County is lowest for both males and females in Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough and this falls below the national average. Other groups whose life expectancy falls below the national average are males and females in North Warwickshire and females within Rugby Borough. For comparison, within the UK, Glasgow City has the lowest life expectancies at 69.3 years for males and 76.4 years for females; contrast this with the highest rates in Kensington & Chelsea where the life expectancy for males is 80.8 years and 85.8 years for females.

Figure 3.27; Life Expectancy in Warwickshire and its Districts, 2002 – 2004

84 England average Females

80 Males 78

76 Life Expectancy 76.3 76.1 77.1 77.9 77.8 80.3 79.8 80.3 82.3 82.6 74

70 NW NB RG SOA WK NW NB RG SOA WK

Source: Compendium of Clinical and Health Outcomes 2003, April 05 release.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 76 Outlook

It is expected that life expectancies will rise as death rates fall, but the continuing inequalities within the Districts means that effort still needs to be targeted at these areas.

Further Information

Further information about health statistics in Warwickshire is available from Rebecca Halliwell at Warwickshire Primary Care Trust, on behalf of the Warwickshire Public Health Network. Telephone 01926 493491, extension 209 or email [email protected]

More national health statistics relating to life expectancy are available to download at www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/LE_Report_2005.pdf

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 77 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

MORTALITY RATES

Description

Mortality rates (expressed as the number of deaths per 100,000 population) are used to monitor the health of the population. They are also proxy measures of social deprivation or morbidity and often become indicators of need for health or social care. As such they can be flawed. There are not always links between the conditions from which people die and those for which medical treatment or long term care are required. Similarly, a social group or geographical area with a higher than average proportion of elderly residents is likely to have a much higher mortality rate than one with a high proportion of young people.

In an attempt to at least overcome the latter issue age-standardised mortality rates can be used. These are rates based on an average age structure and allow for more meaningful comparison. This indicator is based on the years 2002-2004.

Performance

Within this period, the national mortality rate fell by nearly six percentage points with the rate for males reducing by over seven percentage points and that for females by just under five percentage points. In Warwickshire, this reduction in the male mortality rate is almost six percentage points with the female rate reducing by just over one percentage point. However, the female rate continues to be 70% of the male rate.

Figure 3.28; Directly Age Standardised Mortality Rates (all causes) 2002-2004

1000 England average Males

800 All Persons

Females 600

400 Directly standardised mortality rate

200

0 NW NB RG SOA WK NW NB RG SOA WK NW NB RG SOA WK

Source: Compendium of Clinical and Health Outcomes 2004, February 2006 release. Dept of Health/ National Centre for Health Outcomes Development.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 78 The County rates are slightly below that of the national average however there are variations within the districts; the largest reduction from last year was the female rate in Nuneaton & Bedworth which fell by nearly seven percentage points followed by males within North Warwickshire which also fell by a similar amount. Perversely, the female mortality rate within North Warwickshire increased by nearly nine percentage points resulting in a rate above the national average.

Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick Districts continue to have the lowest mortality rates in the County for all persons with the largest reduction in Warwick District of over six percentage points for females.

Outlook

Mortality rates continue to fall slowly in all areas, though it would be unrealistic to expect a decrease in every year. The gap between the areas with highest and lowest rates was narrowed from the previous figures but more needs to be done to reduce the inequalities.

Further Information

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 79 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

YEARS OF LIFE LOST

Description

‘Years of Life Lost’ is a useful indicator that measures premature mortality. It represents the years that have been ‘lost’ (i.e. not lived) by the population who have died before the age of 75. It is calculated by subtracting the age of death from the age of 75 (the life expectancy or standard age of death) for each person and adding these figures to obtain an overall figure of years lost. For example, a child dying at five years has lost 70 years of life, while someone dying at 70 has lost five years. It is useful to compare it with life expectancy, which is more influenced by deaths at older ages.

Performance

North Warwickshire (617) and Nuneaton & Bedworth (608) have the highest numbers of ‘years lost’, for males, but these have reduced from last year; for females, Rugby (441) continues to have the highest number of ‘years lost’, and although this figure has reduced from last year it is still above the average for England (376)

Figure 3.29; Average years of life lost per 10,000 population (up to the age of 75 years)

700 Males England Average

600 All Persons

500 Females

400

300

200 ars of Life Lost per 10,000 Population

Ye 100

0 NW NB RG SOA WK NW NB RG SOA WK NW NB RG SOA WK

Source: Compendium of Clinical and Health Outcomes 2004, February 2006 release. Dept of Health/ National Centre for Health Outcomes Development.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 80 Outlook

Warwickshire as a whole performs better than the national average on this measure and it is expected that there will be further improvement in the future.

Further Information

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 81 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere n/a

PRE-SCHOOL PROVISION

Description

The continuation and expansion of pre-school provision is a key component of the County Council’s agenda for promoting lifelong learning and personal development. This indicator examines the percentage of 3 year olds in funded pre-school placements.

Performance

During 2005/06, all 3 year olds were able to take up a funded pre-school place during the term following their third birthday if their parents required one. The places are available with Warwickshire County Council as the Local Education Authority (LEA), private, independent and voluntary providers. Children receiving early education follow the six areas of learning covered by the Foundation Stage of the National Curriculum.

Figure 3.30; Percentage of 3 year olds in funded statutorily defined pre-school placements as a proportion of the year group population 2000/01 – 2005/06

120 % of 3 year olds Target

100

40 Percentage of three year olds 20

0 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06

Source: Warwickshire County Council Children, Young People and Families Directorate.

The District figures are illustrated in Figure 3.31. The range in figures is related to the method of measurement. The LEA figures are based on local authority capacity but the Nursery Grant figures indicate take-up of grants, which could be used with other providers. The grant currently provides for up to five 2½ hour nursery education sessions per week. Hence, some areas have figures in excess of 100%. The Stratford- on-Avon performance of 81% is due to the level of LEA provision in the area. Parental choice could also have an impact on the take-up of Nursery Grant in Stratford-on-Avon. It should be noted that places in Local Education Authority Nurseries are funded by occupancy.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 82 Figure 3.31; Percentage of 3 year olds in funded statutorily defined pre-school placements as a proportion of the year group population 2005/06 by District

150 % of 3 year olds 2005/2006 target

120

Percentage of 3-year-olds 30

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Source: Warwickshire County Council, Children, Young People and Families Directorate.

Outlook

The LEA will continue to monitor early education funded places for 3 year olds to ensure that the entitlement to a free early years education place for every child in the school term following their third birthday, whose parents want one, is met. From April 2006 the minimum free entitlement of 12½ hours a week for 33 weeks was extended to 12½ hours a week for 38 weeks. From 2007, it is proposed to increase the free entitlement to 15 hours a week for 38 weeks, on the way to a longer term aim of 20 hours a week for 38 weeks. Parents will have more flexibility to use the free entitlement across a minimum of three days.

Further Information

The County Council’s Early Years Service, based in the Children, Young People and Families Directorate, can provide further information. Telephone Michelle Trewin on 01926 736328 or email [email protected]. For information on the availability of all types of childcare including childminders, pre-schools and day nurseries and for early education funding details please contact the Warwickshire Children’s Information Service 08450 90 80 44 (local rate) or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 83 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

KEY STAGE ATTAINMENT

Description

Each year Warwickshire County Council monitors the achievement levels amongst pupils in Warwickshire’s schools. The three indicators focused upon here are:

• % pupils achieving Level 4 and above in the Key Stage 2 English test

• % pupils achieving Level 4 and above in the Key Stage 2 Maths test

• % pupils achieving at least Level 5 in English, Maths and Science at Key Stage 3.

Performance

In Key Stage 2 English, all Districts/Boroughs have recorded an increase in attainment apart from Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough, which remains at the same level as last year. All Districts/Boroughs are above the national average. Warwick District recorded the highest increase of three percentage points to 83%.

In Key Stage 2 Maths, Rugby Borough and Warwick District have both increased from last year; Stratford-on-Avon has remained the same with North Warwickshire and Nuneaton & Bedworth recording a reduction of three percentage points and one percentage point respectively and now falling below the national average, which increased in 2005 to 79%.

Figure 3.32; Percentage of Pupils Achieving Level 4 and above in Key Stage 2 English and Maths in 2002 – 2005

% of pupils achieving Level 4 and above District/Borough English Maths 2002 2003 2004 2005 2002 2003 2004 2005 North Warwickshire 75 74 77 79 71 71 75 72 Nuneaton & Bedworth 69 73 76 76 69 69 72 71 Rugby 79 77 81 83 76 75 77 83 Stratford-on-Avon 80 83 86 87 79 78 81 81 Warwick 78 80 80 83 80 81 78 80 Warwickshire 75 77 80 81 75 75 77 77 England 75 75 78 75 73 73 74 79

Source: DfES, Warwickshire County Council Children, Young People & Families Directorate.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 84 Attainment levels are highest in the south of the County. Stratford-on-Avon (87%) has the highest Key Stage 2 English (Level 4 & above) attainment and Rugby (83%) has the highest Key Stage 2 Mathematics (Level 4 & above) attainment which increased six percentage points from last year.

The numbers of pupils achieving at least level 5 in English, Maths and Science at Key Stage 3 remained very similar to last year; North Warwickshire, Rugby and Warwick recorded a slight increase of one percentage point. Nuneaton & Bedworth had recorded the greatest increase of twelve percentage points since 2001 but this fell by two percentage points in 2005.

Figure 3.33; Percentage of Pupils Achieving at least level 5 in English, Maths and Science at Key Stage 3 in 2002 – 2005

% achieving at least a Level 5 in all District three subjects 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 North Warwickshire 48 54 55 58 59 Nuneaton & Bedworth 46 48 56 58 56 Rugby 60 62 64 67 68 Stratford-on-Avon 61 68 70 73 73 Warwick 61 61 65 63 64 Warwickshire 55 58 62 64 64

Source: DfES, Warwickshire County Council Children, Young People & Families Directorate.

Compared to other areas in England, Warwickshire continues to perform at above average levels. In 2005, the proportion of Warwickshire pupils obtaining at least Level 5 in Key Stage 3 English was 78%. This compares to 74% nationally. The same applies for Warwickshire’s Key Stage 3 Maths and Science attainment levels where County percentages are respectively three and four percentage points above the average for England.

Further Information

The Children, Young People and Families Directorate Strategic Information Management Unit can provide further information on educational performance in the County. Telephone 01926 582468 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 85 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

GCSE ATTAINMENT

Description

Each year Warwickshire County Council monitors achievement levels amongst pupils aged 15 at the start of the academic school year. The indicator examined here is the percentage of 15-year-olds who gained five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C.

Performance

Since last year, there has been further improvement in the proportion of 15-year-olds achieving five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C.

Figure 3.34; Percentage of 15 year-olds who gained five or more GCSEs/GNVQs at grades A* to C

1997 1999 2001 2003 2004 2005 70

40 % of 15 year olds 30

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire England Warwickshire Bedworth on - Avon

Source: DfES, Warwickshire County Council, Children, Young People & Families Directorate.

In 2005, all Districts apart from Rugby recorded an improvement on the 2004 results. The national average increased by almost four percentage points in 2005 meaning that only Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon are currently above the national average. Nuneaton & Bedworth increased by just over four percentage points - the highest increase within Warwickshire. Taking Warwickshire as a whole, the year-on-year trend has been improvement, in line with national trends.

Further Information

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 86 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere n/a

LIFELONG LEARNING

Description

Warwickshire County Council is striving to ensure that local people have every opportunity to access quality learning opportunities throughout their lives.

Libraries, museums, archives and the built and historic environments are educational resources for people of all ages and backgrounds. They also have the potential to engage adult learners, including those with basic skills needs, who do not find formal education attractive or accessible.

The County’s Adult and Community Learning Service provides adult education opportunities across a range of learning programmes.

The Council believes that lifelong learning enables local people to play active and positive roles within families and local communities as well as contributing to the cultural and economic well-being of the County. The services delivered aim to provide information, guidance, advice and access to learning for all sections of the community.

Performance

Libraries and Information Service

Warwickshire Libraries and Information Service is the largest provider of free Information and Communications Technology to the community; all libraries offer free access to the Internet, email, CD-Roms, word processing and other software, and access to E- Government and E-Learning through the Government funded Peoples Network.

Figure 3.35; Number of ‘Peoples Network’ PC Sessions

120000 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06

100000

80000

60000

Number of PC sessions (000's) 40000

20000

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford Warwick Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Source: Warwickshire Library & Information Service.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 87 Peoples Network PC sessions have been increasing annually throughout the County and computers are now available in all venues enabling remote communities and disadvantaged groups to access the Internet. The number of sessions have increased annually, with the County figure rising from 404,163 in 2004/05 to 418,797 in 2005/06, an increase of almost 4%. There was a slight fall in numbers within Warwick District area due to a refurbishment of Kenilworth library over four months and repairs to the IT suite in Whitnash library over two months due to vandalism.

Membership of libraries in the County continues to increase, with 19,993 new adult members in 2005/06, a 53% increase on the number of new members joining in 2003/04. This increase is mirrored with new child members - there were 6,797 new members in 2005/06, a 52% increase on the 2003/04 figure.

Figure 3.36; Numbers attending learning activities sessions at libraries

Adults Children

2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 15000 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06

12000

Activities 9000

6000 Attendance at

3000

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford Warwick Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Source: Warwickshire Library and Information Service, Warwickshire County Council.

The number of activities being organised by libraries within the County has risen from 4,287 in 2004/05 to 5,656 in 2005/06. Figure 3.36 illustrates the numbers of adults and children that have attended the sessions over the last three years.

Heritage and Cultural Services

Heritage Education promotes active learning through information, advice, talks, activities and workshops for children and adults using the resources of the Museums and County Record Office. Workshops and activities are organised each holiday for children and families, curricular-based day visits and field trips arranged for schools, and a selection of workshops and activities held for adult groups using the Warwickshire Museum and the County Record Office.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 88 Figure 3.37 illustrates the number of school pupils from each District that visited Warwickshire’s museums during the past five years. The ‘other’ category includes pupils from outside the County that visited our museums.

Figure 3.37; Number of pupils in school visits to Warwickshire County Museums

District/Borough 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06

North Warwickshire 350 230 306 295 546 Nuneaton & Bedworth 601 753 888 1,084 1,202 Rugby 1,500 1,446 1,611 1,210 1,632 Stratford-on-Avon 1,658 2,402 1,699 1,606 1,705 Warwick 3,696 3,564 2,341 2,724 3,489 Warwickshire 7,805 8,395 6,845 6,919 8574 Other 6,372 7,006 6,587 5,958 7668

Total 14,177 15,401 13,432 12,877 16,242

Source: Warwickshire Heritage Education, Warwickshire County Council.

The numbers of pupils visiting Warwickshire museums has increased by 26% from last year; this increase in numbers is a reflection of new projects including study days on the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Tudors, rocks and fossils and woodland ecology. In addition Heritage Education is now offering outreach sessions in school to provide wider access to their services.

Community Education

The Warwickshire Adult and Community Learning Service delivers a wide range of opportunities for lifelong learning including adult education and community-based learning programmes for anyone needing support with Literacy, Numeracy or English for speakers of other languages, family learning to support families with school age children and a wide range of ICT programmes.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 89 Figure 3.38; Adult enrolment rates per 1,000 population, by District 2004/05

20 2003/04 2004/05

Rate per 1,000 population 5

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford Warwick Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Source: Adult and Community Learning Service, Warwickshire County Council.

The rate of enrolments throughout the County varied with the highest rate in Nuneaton & Bedworth (12.3%) and the lowest in Stratford-on-Avon (5.7%).

There are ten ICT Learning Centres in Warwickshire, which provide local communities with access to IT and the Internet. The centres are used to enable learning with opportunities for users to gain qualifications where appropriate.

There were 5,043 adult enrolments on programmes run or funded by the service during 2004/05 with women making up 70% of the total. The number of adults aged over 60 totalled 1,345, 27% of the total, with the majority taking part in the ICT programmes.

Outlook

The Adult and Community Learning Service is going through a period of change, prompted by both the changing priorities of its main funders, the Learning and Skills Council, and by internal County Council reorganisation. In future, the service will be offering more mainstream adult ‘leisure and pleasure’ programmes, and will also be introducing a system of fee charging for some of its provision with effect from August 2006. Under the new County Council structure, the service will be more closely aligned with other adult services in libraries, culture and adult social services and it is anticipated that this will encourage the development of the provision that the service makes.

Libraries and museums play a central role in an information and learning society, providing the resources and services for independent learning and free access to information. Libraries are located in communities and will continue to offer local people informal and formal ways of increasing their literacy and learning skills.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 90 The increasingly successful year long programme of activities will continue where learners can learn in a fun or informal way to develop their own interests and improve their quality of life.

Further Information

The Warwickshire Library and Information Service can be contacted on 01926 412550 or visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/libraries

The Heritage Education Team can be contacted on 01926 412034 or email [email protected]

For more details on the Warwickshire Adult and Community Learning Service contact Peter Sutton on 01926 738574 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 91 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

SCHOOL LEAVER DESTINATIONS

Description

The Coventry & Warwickshire Destinations Index 2005 is produced by Connexions Coventry and Warwickshire. The Index reports on the first destination of young people who completed their statutory education in 2005. A report on destinations has been produced annually since 1993, in association with The Learning and Skills Council Coventry and Warwickshire.

The Index provides a breakdown of destinations into seven broad categories based on education, employment and training status. The percentage of young people entering a programme of structured learning i.e. Continuing in Education, Training or Employment with Training, is an important measure of progress for the partner organisations of Connexions Coventry & Warwickshire, the Learning and Skills Council Coventry & Warwickshire, and the local education authorities of both Warwickshire County Council and Coventry City Council.

Performance

The percentage of students recorded as ‘Continuing in Education’ increased for the second consecutive year. The rate of 78% is the highest ever achieved in Warwickshire and it compares favourably with the national rate of 75.5%. The continuation of Education Maintenance Allowances in the County during the academic year may possibly have resulted in further education remaining an attractive option for some students. A decrease in the percentage entering training and employment is partly due to the increase in the percentage ‘Continuing in Education’ and partly due to a difficulty in securing employment and training opportunities. The total rate of 93.6% for ‘Positive Outcomes’ is also the highest ever recorded for Warwickshire. It appears, in many instances, that early follow-up by Connexions helped to maintain productive contact with young people and assisted in motivating them to enter a positive destination. The Connexions September Guarantee was operated again in 2005 and contributed to the improved results.

In 2005 particular emphasis was again placed on tracking young people, in an effort to avoid any loss of contact. A concerted effort was again made by Connexions Personal Advisers to maintain contact with all young people and track their progression. This resulted in only 1.2% being recorded as ‘Not Available Left Area’, which also compares favourably with the national result of 3.7%.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 92 Figure 3.39; Destinations Analysis 2003 – 2005

Status 2003 2004 2005 Continuing in Education 72.8% 75.8% 78.0% Government Supported Training 11.0% 7.0% 6.0% Employment with Other Tr aining 7.0% 9.1% 8.3% Structured Learning 90.8% 91.9% 92.2% Employment No Training Offered 1.6% 0.7% 0.4% Voluntary & part-time 0.4% 0.6% 0.9% Other Activities 2.0% 1.3% 1.3% Positive Outcomes 92.8% 93.3% 93.6% Not in Employment, Education or Training 5.5% 5.4% 5.2% Not Available Left Area 1.6% 1.4% 1.2% Negative Outcomes 7.2% 6.7% 6.4% Total 100% 100% 100% Cohort Size 6,554 6,563 6,549

Source: Connexions Coventry & Warwickshire.

Figure 3.40 provides information based on the home residence, by District, of the 6,206 young people included in the survey, although they may have received their education in the area of another local authority. The highest rates for ‘Continuing in Education’ and for total ‘Positive Outcomes’ are to be found amongst the young people of Stratford- on-Avon District. The areas covered by North Warwickshire Borough and Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough have the highest rates of young people choosing a training or employment option. Stratford-on-Avon District was the only area not to record an increase in the rate for ‘Continuing in Education’ compared to 2004.

Figure 3.40; Destinations Analysis by District 2005 (2004 in brackets)

North Nuneaton & Stratford- Sub Warwickshire Bedworth Rugby on-Avon Warwick County Region

% Continuing in Education 73.4 (71.3) 72.4 (69.1) 75.9 (74.5) 83.5 (84.4) 82.7 (78.7) 78.0 (75.7) 77.4 (75.5)

% Other Positive Outcomes 18.3 (21.1) 19.6 (22.3) 17.0 (17.5) 12.7 (12.3) 12.6 (15.0) 15.6 (17.6) 16.0 (17.6) % Total Positive Outcomes 91.7 (92.5) 92.0 (91.4) 92.9 (92.0) 96.2 (93.7) 95.3 (93.7) 93.6 (93.3) 93.4 (93.1)

% Negative Outcomes 8.3 (7.5) 8.0 (8.6) 7.1 (8.0) 3.8 (3.2) 4.7 (6.3) 6.4 (6.7) 6.6 (6.9)

Source: Connexions Coventry & Warwickshire.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 93 Outlook

There was a significant increase in the rate of young people recorded as ‘Continuing in Education’ in 2005 possibly assisted by the continuance of the Education Maintenance Allowance. In 2006, Connexions Coventry & Warwickshire is to be one of only two areas in the country included in a pilot scheme for distribution of Education Allowance packs. The packs, including an application form with pre-printed personal details, will be sent direct to the homes of Year 11 students attending LEA schools. This pilot scheme will be evaluated with the possibility of extension nationally if it proves successful in significantly increasing the rates for those Continuing in Education. The September Guarantee will again operate in 2006 with the aim of securing training opportunities for all those young people that require them.

Further Information

Further information can be obtained from Terry Bigley at Connexions Coventry & Warwickshire. Phone 02476 707439 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 94 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

UNAUTHORISED ABSENCE

Description

Regular attendance at school is essential to a good education, and establishing regular attendance must be a high priority for schools, parents and pupils. Attendance problems arise for many reasons. They are often complex and require sensitive and professional handling. Not all unauthorised absence from school is necessarily linked to truancy, as schools may not authorise absence for other reasons, such as holidays during term time. Unauthorised absenteeism is usually considered in the context of sessions missed rather than the number of pupils.

Performance

During the academic year 2004/2005, the percentage of sessions missed through unauthorised absenteeism was 1.0% across secondary schools in Warwickshire; this compares to 1.2% across England. Unauthorised absence in all Districts and Boroughs within Warwickshire has increased from last year; Rugby continues to have the lowest rate while North Warwickshire has the highest and has increased slightly from the 2003/04 level.

Figure 3.41; Unauthorised Absenteeism, Secondary Schools, by District

Percentage unauthorised absence in secondary schools

District/Borough 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 North Warwickshire 0.4% 0.4% 0.6% 1.6% 1.1% 1.5% Nuneaton & Bedworth 1.1% 1.0% 1.1% 0.7% 0.8% 1.1% Rugby 0.7% 0.5% 0.7% 0.4% 0.4% 0.6% Stratford-on-Avon 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.6% 0.8% Warwick 0.7% 0.8% 0.6% 0.8% 0.9% 1.0% Warwickshire 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.8% 0.8% 1.0%

Source: DfES, Warwickshire County Council Children, Young People & Families Directorate.

Outlook

Efforts will be made to reduce the level of unauthorised absenteeism at schools in Warwickshire. In particular, the Education Social Work Service will work in schools with children and teachers and also directly with families and children in the home.

Further Information

For more details and information on unauthorised absenteeism figures and related policy, contact the Children, Young People and Families Directorate, Strategic Information Management Unit. Telephone 01926 582468 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 95 Summary

Trend over time n/a Warwickshire compared with elsewhere n/a

ACCESS TO KEY SERVICES

Description

The Countryside Agency produces an annual Rural Services Series dataset. Service availability is calculated in terms of the physical distance between rural/ urban households and particular service outlets. The measurements within the dataset are straight line distances between the rural/urban households and the key services.

Performance

The dataset includes access to banks and building societies, cash points, GP surgeries, job centres, libraries, petrol stations, post offices, primary and secondary schools and supermarkets. Two of these services are illustrated below, namely banks and building societies and GP surgeries. Rugby Borough and Stratford District have the greatest number of households living furthest from banks or building societies. Households have better access to GP surgeries but this does vary across the districts with Stratford-on- Avon having 18% of households living over four kilometres from surgeries.

Figure 3.42; Distance to banks/building societies by district

0-2kms 2-4kms 4-6kms 6-8kms 8-10kms

100

Percentage of Households 40

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Source: The Countryside Agency, 2005

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 96 Figure 3.43; Distance to GP surgeries by District

0-2kms 2-4kms 4-6kms 6-8kms

100

Percentage of Households 40

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Source: The Countryside Agency, 2005.

Outlook

The production of an annual Rural Services Series represents an improvement on the previous three yearly snapshot Rural Services Survey providing a more up to date and accurate picture of access to services in rural areas. The Warwickshire County and District data will be updated annually from this data.

Further Information

Additional information on the 2005 data is available on the Warwickshire Observatory Quality of Life web pages www.warwickshire.gov.uk/qualityoflife

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 97 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

OLDER PEOPLE HELPED TO LIVE AT HOME

Description

Supporting people at home helps to promote independence and social participation and can prevent a person needing more intensive care packages, residential care or hospital admission. This indicator measures the number of older people aged 65 or over helped to live at home per 1,000 population aged 65 or over.

Performance

In 2004/05 there were 5,122 people who were helped to live at home. In 2005/06 this figure had fallen to 4,998. This reduction was mainly due to a change by the Department of Health in the definition used to calculate the indicator. For example, the provision of low level preventative services, such as the direct meals service and safety initiatives for older people, have previously been included in this indicator but have now been excluded. This indicator now only reflects those people who have had a community care assessment and a care plan or statement of need.

The performance figure for helping older people to live at home during 2005/06 was 58.2 per 1,000 compared with 60.6 per 1,000 in 2004/05. The Adult, Health and Community Services Department is confident that had the change in definition not have been applied, the outturn would have been at a similar figure to last year.

Figure 3.44; Numbers of older people helped to live at home (per 1,000 aged 65 years plus) 2005-06, by District

Population aged 65+ Estimated numbers District Rate per 1,000 (mid year 2004) helped at 31/03/05 North Warwickshire 9,700 518 53.4 (51) Nuneaton & Bedworth 18,500 1,265 68.4 (68) Rugby 14,500 737 50.8 (61) Stratford 21,800 1,213 55.6 (49) Warwick 21,300 1,265 59.4 (69) Warwickshire 85,800 4,998 58.3 (61)

Source: Warwickshire County Council Adult, Health and Community Services. (2004/2005 figures in brackets).

As performance figures are based on a snapshot they do not reflect the number of people helped to live at home over the full year. Rates per 1,000 population varied among Districts, ranging between 50.8 per 1,000 in Rugby Borough, up to 68.4 per 1,000 in Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 98 Figure 3.45; Older people helped to live at home (per 1,000 aged 65 plus)

80 Rate per 1,000 77 75 70 73 69 71 71 60 61 57 58 50 50 45 40

Older people helped to live at home per 1,000 aged 65+ 0 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06

Source: Warwickshire County Council Adult, Health and Community Services.

After gradual increases during the late 1990s, the rate of help given to the over 65 population levelled off at around 71 per 1,000, before returning to growth between 2002 and 2004. The 2004/05 and 2005/06 rate is due to the change in definition of this indicator.

Outlook

Although the policy of the Adult, Health and Community Services Directorate is to give the greatest assistance to those most vulnerable and in need of care to enable them to maintain their independence at home, 2006/07 will see the phased introduction of a new low intensity support service Through this service the Directorate aims to promote the independence of 1,500 more older people by 31st March 2007 with a target of 74 per 1,000. Those not eligible for the lower level service will be signposted to other services and/or receive services as a result of wider corporate and joint agency preventative strategies.

2006/07 sees the continuation of more innovation in creating capacity to respond flexibly to the needs of older citizens. This includes preventing hospital admission, and facilitating timely hospital discharge by further increasing assessment and transitional care provision, to enable more people to live independently in their own homes, as well as a focus on low level preventative services.

The externally provided Integrated Community Equipment Store (ICES) is also now fully operational and in 2006/07 there will be an increase in the number of people benefiting from ICES to further promote independence in their own homes.

Further Information

For more details on this indicator, and the provision of social services for the elderly population in general, contact Jon Reading on 01926 731079. Alternatively, email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 99 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

UNFIT HOMES

Description

A decent or fit home is defined as one that meets four criteria: it meets the current statutory minimum standard for housing, it is in a reasonable state of repair, it has reasonably modern facilities and services and provides a reasonable degree of thermal comfort. Each year, local authorities are required to submit information on the state of dwellings in their area, including figures on the number of homes that do not meet these criteria.

Performance

The quality of housing stock in Warwickshire continues to exceed both regional and national averages. In 2005, less than 4% of dwellings in Warwickshire were classed as unfit, compared to 4.5% of dwellings in the West Midlands region and more than 4.5% in England.

Although the levels of unfit homes in Warwickshire remains below regional and national levels, the gaps have reduced as national standards improve.

Figure 3.46; Unfit homes per 1,000 dwellings, 1998 - 2005

100 1999 2001 2003 2005

40 Unfit homes per 1,000 dwellings

0 * * North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford Warwick Warwickshire West England Warwickshire Bedworth -on-Avon Midlands

Source: 2005 Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix, Department for Communities & Local Government.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 100 There was an increase in the number of dwellings in Warwickshire reported as unfit during 2005, from 3% to 3.8%. This increase was almost entirely attributable to an increase in Rugby, from 943 to 2,675 dwellings. This follows a new House Condition Survey in the Borough, during 2004, which highlighted an increase in unfit properties since the last survey in 1999.

Locally, the percentage of homes described as unfit ranged between 1.6% in Warwick District up to 6.8% in Rugby Borough.

In 2005 there were no unfit homes recorded in the public housing sector in Warwickshire compared to 5% across the West Midlands region and 12% nationally. In total, there were 8,566 homes recorded as unfit in Warwickshire, all within the private housing sector.

Outlook

The five Borough and District Councils in Warwickshire manage housing stock and quality in different ways. For example, Nuneaton & Bedworth maintains a significant number of local authority homes, whilst Stratford-on-Avon District Council transferred its entire housing stock to South Warwickshire Housing Association in October 1996.

All social housing in the country must meet the decent homes standard by 2010 – the figures suggest that this requirement has already been met in Warwickshire. The standard does not apply to private sector homes. Fitness standards for private sector housing are now regulated by the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (see the DCLG website for more information on this).

Environmental Health Officers will continue to carry out inspections concerning disrepair or the suitability of properties as dwellings. Depending upon the results of the inspection appropriate action to improve the quality of the housing will be taken.

Further Information

Find out more details on housing data and policy at the DCLG website http://www. communities.gov.uk/housing. For specific information on the classification of decent homes, see http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1152136

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 101

Environmental Indicators

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 113 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

AIR QUALITY

Description

Air quality is essential for a good quality of life – in the UK it is generally very good but there are still sometimes unacceptably high levels of pollution. Local Authorities now have a statutory duty to regularly review and assess air quality in their area by monitoring levels of different types of air pollutant, which have different effects on the environment and our health. The major threat to clean air is now posed by traffic emissions.

Performance

Air quality across the County is largely good. The two main pollutants which cause significant health effects to susceptible individuals are nitrogen dioxide and PM10 particulate matter. As road transport is the main contributor to both these pollutants, an Air Quality Strategy now forms part of the Local Transport Plan. Busy roads and idling traffic due to congestion contribute towards the pollution which can be exacerbated by still, hot sunny days during the summer and still, foggy weather in the winter.

If any sites show that pollutants are likely to exceed Air Quality Strategy objectives an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) has to be declared. The primary pollutant of concern in the UK is nitrogen dioxide, which is also the most likely pollutant to give rise to the declaration of AQMA’s in the County.

The following Boroughs and Districts within Warwickshire have declared AQMAs, all due to significant levels of nitrogen dioxide.

North Warwickshire Borough An AQMA has been in place since March 2001 bounded by Stonebridge Road, Coleshill Heath Road, the M42 and the M6 and relates directly to the traffic on these major roads. It is possible that the AQMA may be revoked in the near future, although continued monitoring, as set out in the North Warwickshire Air Quality Action Plan, will dictate the possible timescale of this. This monitoring programme will also assess the possible influence of the new M6 Toll Road on the AQMA.

Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough There is a possibility that an AQMA may be declared around Leicester Road gyratory, Weddington Road/Old Hinckley Road and Old Hinckley Road/ Leicester Road. This road network is known to be particularly congested and recent works have been carried out to ease the flow of traffic.

Rugby Borough An AQMA came into force across the entire urban area of Rugby in December 2004 and is bounded by the M45, M6, A45, minor roads to the west of Long Lawford and the southern boundary with Daventry District Council. Air quality problems in Rugby are directly related to the large number of commuter vehicles and HGVs travelling through the town centre.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 104 Stratford-on-Avon District There are currently no AQMAs in the District and no sites are predicted to exceed necessary nitrogen dioxide levels. Monitoring and modelling studies are currently ongoing.

Warwick District Three AQMAs were declared in December 2004 covering the following areas:

• Leamington Spa around Bath Street, High Street and Clemens Street. • Warwick town centre in High Street, Jury Street, Church Street and Castle Street. • Barford, around Church Street and Bridge Street.

Outlook

The vision of Warwickshire County Council’s Air Quality Strategy is: ‘To take a proactive approach to maintaining and improving air quality within the County where transport is causing unacceptable levels of air pollution, in order to improve quality of life for all’. All of the potentially emerging air quality issues in Warwickshire are related to road traffic in and around the County’s town centres and along major commuter arterial routes and junctions.

Local authorities within Warwickshire will continue to review and assess air pollutants and take action where levels are likely to be exceeded. Where areas are identified, an action plan will be put together in order to protect people’s health and the local environment.

Further Information

For further information on air quality, visit the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory at www.naei.org.uk. Information about the causes and effects of air pollution, what the air quality is like near you and what is being done can be found at the following website www.airquality.co.uk/archive

For more information regarding Warwickshire’s Air Quality Strategy in the Local Transport Plan visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ltpmain/section_12715353187.html

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 105 Figure 4.1; Nitrogen Dioxide Emissions within Warwickshire 2003

NO2 Emissions Highest

Atherstone Lowest Motorway Nuneaton Coleshill Bedworth

Rugby

Leamington Spa Warwick

Stratford-on-Avon

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 106 Summary

Trend over time S FLOODING Warwickshire compared with elsewhere n/a

Description

The Environment Agency supplies information on the locations of flood zones across the County. This has been combined with address data to determine how many households and businesses are currently located within flood zones in Warwickshire. The Environment Agency’s aim is to reduce this number by implementing improved flood defence systems, while local authorities can minimise new developments within these areas.

Flood zones are defined in accordance with Planning Policy Guidance 25 (PPG25), as follows: • Zone 3 - Highest Risk – annual probability of flooding of 1.0% or greater from rivers and 0.5% or greater from the sea • Zone 2 - Low to Medium Risk – annual probability of flooding of 0.1% -1.0% from rivers and 0.1% - 0.5% from the sea • Zone 1- Little or No Risk – annual probability of flooding less than 0.1%.

Performance

The table below illustrates the number of addresses in the County located in flood zones in September 2005. Around 4,800 residential addresses are in the highest risk areas (annual probability of flooding of 1.0% or greater) along with a further 1,100 commercial addresses.

Figure 4.2; Estimated Number of Addresses Located in Medium and Highest Risk Flood Zones

Flood Zone 3 Flood Zone 2 (highest risk) (medium risk) Domestic Non-domestic Domestic Non-domestic North Warwickshire 201 51 444 116 Nuneaton & Bedworth 1,244 504 1,790 530 Rugby 511 78 760 96 Stratford-on-Avon 1,495 198 2,540 341 Warwick 1,382 303 2,295 421 Warwickshire 4,833 1,134 7,829 1,504

Source: Environment Agency, Warwickshire County Council.

In total, just over 9,300 properties are in areas that face a risk of at least 0.1% of flooding from rivers. This represents 3.3% of all addresses in the County. The original version of the Flood Map, published in October 2004, suggested that 9,500 addresses were at risk. This figure has been reduced to 9,300 as a consequence of the new dataset including the impact of flood defence systems.

An analysis of residential properties completed in the last four years (2000-04) reveals that around 166 houses have been built in the highest risk flood zone, with a further 21 in the medium risk area.

According to the latest Environment Agency data, there are three areas in Warwickshire which benefit from flood defences; two in North Warwickshire and one in Nuneaton & Bedworth. These are areas that would have a 1% chance of flooding if the defences were not present, but that do not flood because the defences are present. This dataset will be monitored and updated by the Environment Agency on an ongoing basis.

Figure 4.3; Premises benefiting from flood defence systems

Area Residential Non-domestic

North Warwickshire Water Orton 0 2 Nether Whitacre 130 12

Nuneaton & Bedworth Parts of Abbey, 471 376 Whitestone & Attleborough

Source: Environment Agency, Warwickshire County Council.

Outlook

The County Council, together with other local planning authorities, have a role identified in PPG 25 to ensure that new development is not be located in the highest risk zone without adequate flood defences. It is vital for the County Council to have continued liaison with the Environment Agency, specifically in taking advice on the distribution of flood risk and the availability of flood defences in the County when considering planning applications and drafting development plans.

Further Information

The Environment Agency website, www.environment-agency.gov.uk, has more information on flooding including details of flood zone locations and the measures being taken to reduce risk.

Further information is available from Warwickshire’s Emergency Planning Unit, visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/Web/corporate/pages.nsf/Links/207C1D9068EC68AF8025 6AEA0053014E

Summary Household Waste Per Head Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere Recycling & Composting Trend over time HOUSEHOLD WASTE Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

Description

The County Council is the waste disposal authority for Warwickshire, with the District and Borough Councils responsible for waste collection. The majority of household waste produced in the County goes to landfill. Reducing waste will reduce the need for raw materials, reduce the impact of landfill sites, and reduce costs.

The Government has set targets to divert waste away from landfill, by the year 2010 the aim is to have 45% of municipal waste recovered and 30% of household waste recycled.

Performance

The introduction of Landfill Tax, combined with an increasing volume of household waste, meant that the cost of waste disposal almost doubled during the mid to late 1990s. This trend reflected national changes. However, Warwickshire has introduced a policy of banning commercial type vehicles at household waste sites and this, combined with the promotion of recycling initiatives and an awareness raising campaign, has helped minimise the impact of Landfill Tax.

Figure 4.4; Waste Disposal Costs and Weight of Waste Produced

300 Household Waste Weight Cost per Tonne £38

£36 250 £34

200 £32 Cost per tonne

£30 150 £28

100 £26

Household waste weight (000 tonnes) £24 50 £22

£20 0 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06

Source: Warwickshire County Council Environment & Economy Directorate

Compared to other counties, the cost of waste disposal in Warwickshire is below average.

Warwickshire’s residents currently produce about 289,000 tonnes of waste per year. Around 65% of this waste goes to landfill which, although high, is down more than three percentage points since last year.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 109 Figure 4.5; Warwickshire’s Waste Indicators

2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 Targets

Waste (kg) per head of pop. 504 525 539 525 556 550 550

Cost per tonne of waste £26.23 £27.45 £28.15 £31.14 £30.81 £36.28 £39.02

Total waste Recycled 8.3% 9.1% 10.0% 13.3% 13.8% 14.5% 14.8%

Total waste Composted 3.5% 4.3% 4.9% 8.2% 13.8% 15.4% 17.1%

Recycled and Composted 11.8% 13.4% 14.9% 21.5% 27.6% 29.9% 31.9%

Waste used to recover energy 0.6% 3.2% 4.5% 2.7% 3.8% 4.9% 7.2%

Landfilled (by difference) 87.6% 83.4% 80.6% 75.8% 68.6% 65.2% 60.9%

Source: Warwickshire County Council Environment & Economy Directorate

The large increase in recycling and composting from 2002/03 to 2005/06 is due to the introduction of expanded collection schemes

Figure 4.6; Waste per head and percentage recycled by District 2005/2006

Waste per head Waste recycled

600 60%

582 568 561 554 550 500 50% 509 % W

40% aste Recycled or Composted 400 40%

aste per head 34% 30% 300 30%

Kilos of W 26%

23% 20% 200 22%

10% 100

0 0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Source: Warwickshire County Council Environment & Economy Directorate

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 110 Household waste produced per person ranges from 509 kilos per person in Warwick District to 582 kilos in North Warwickshire Borough. Over the last year, the amount of household waste produced Countywide has reduced by 0.2%. All Districts recorded a decrease except Stratford-on-Avon which recorded a 4% increase.

Recycling and composting levels have increased since last year but these still vary across the districts. Over 40% of waste was recycled in the Stratford-on-Avon District area but Rugby Borough only achieved 22%.

Through the Waste Resource Action Programme, extra funding was secured to implement a much more proactive regional and countywide waste awareness campaign. The campaign included the use of television, radio, trains, and bus advertising, and extensive market research to evaluate the outcomes.

Warwickshire County Council has supported the set up of a white and brown goods refurbishment scheme at Onley Prison in partnership with Warwickshire Environmental Trust and local furniture re-use groups. The project started in September 2005 and in the initial seven months almost 29 tonnes of waste goods (2,025 items) have been collected and 6 tonnes (719 items) have been delivered to charitable institutions.

Outlook

During 2005/06 Warwickshire County Council, with its partners the Districts and Boroughs, agreed a Waste Strategy to take the County forward over the next fifteen years.

Warwickshire County Council is planning to increase recycling and composting rates to over 35% over the next few years in order to comply with EU landfill diversion targets for biodegradable waste. However, recycling and composting alone will not be sufficient, and the remaining waste will have to be thermally treated to further reduce the biodegradable waste sent to landfill.

The Council has become far more proactive in introducing schemes to reduce the amount of waste in both its domestic and corporate waste streams; it is also improving its own performance by recycling more of its own waste, in 2005/06 198 tonnes of paper, glass and cans were re-cycled.

Further Information

Details about household waste management in Warwickshire are available from Roy Burton on 01926 412593 or e-mail [email protected]

For further information on the ‘Recycle for Warwickshire’ initiative and other recycling issues, contact Katey Stoneman on 01926 412458 or email kateystoneman@ warwickshire.gov.uk

Alternatively, visit the Recycle for Warwickshire website at www.warwickshire.gov. uk/recyclewarks

Warwickshire’s Waste Strategy can be viewed at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/waste

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 111 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

ROAD TRAFFIC VOLUME & CONGESTION

Description

Traffic and transport have the potential to damage the environment in both rural and urban areas. The majority of urban centres in Warwickshire have important routes running through them and towns such as Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon have historic central streets that are unsuitable for high levels of traffic.

The car is the dominant mode of travel; the proportion of households without a car in the County is 19% which is below the national average of 27%. The proportion of households possessing two cars, at 33%, is greater than the average for England of 31%.

Performance

The growth of road traffic on finite road space has resulted in congestion. It can however be regarded as a sign of economic success as individuals become more affluent and businesses grow. However, high levels of congestion can have an adverse impact on economic performance and the quality of life for residents.

Traffic is counted every year, using automatic surveys, on the outer cordon of Warwickshire’s main towns. Data from these surveys shows the growth of traffic travelling in and out of the towns cordon.

Figure 4.7; Traffic Flows in Main Towns

1994 1998 2001 2003 2004 2005 140 1994 Traffic flow index = 100

120

100

80 fic Flow Index raf T 60

0 Nuneaton Bedworth Rugby Stratford- Kenilworth Warwick Leamington on-Avon

Source: Warwickshire County Council Environment & Economy Directorate, Transport Planning Unit

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 112 Figure 4.7 shows the growth in traffic since 1994 for each town where 1994 is used as the baseline. Bedworth remained constant until 2004 but in 2005 increased by 5%. Nuneaton remains constant. Rugby has shown an increase for the last three years and since 2002 the flow has increased by 17%. The increase in Rugby is spread across a number of roads without any obvious pattern, which makes it difficult to pinpoint any reason for the increase. Warwick, Leamington Spa and Stratford-on-Avon have all seen small reductions in traffic flows

Figure 4.8; Traffic Speeds in Main Towns, 2005 Off Peak 25

Peak

Bedworth Rugby

15 Nuneaton Stratford- Leamington on- Avon Miles per hour

Kenilworth * 10 Warwick

5 Location of speed surveys

Source: Warwickshire County Council Environment & Economy Directorate, Transport Planning Unit * Note: These speeds were affected by long-term road works during 2005

Average speeds in the County’s main towns within the 30mph speed limit zone during 2005 have remained similar to last year. Peak time speeds range between 9mph in Warwick to 19mph in Bedworth and off-peak speeds vary between 15mph in Stratford- on-Avon and 21mph in Kenilworth. Peak and off-peak traffic speeds within Stratford-on- Avon remain similar due to the high level of visitors throughout the day. Congestion in Warwickshire occurs mostly in peak periods as a result of commuter and school related traffic.

The LTP survey carried out in early 2004 asked respondents to prioritise potential solutions to transport problems they had highlighted. Although respondents gave congestion as their top concern there was little support for new road building. Only 21% of respondents considered new road building to be extremely or very important. However 62% of respondents considered that traffic management on existing roads to reduce congestion was extremely or very important. Respondents also gave strong support for improvements to public transport, walking and cycling.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 113 Outlook

Warwickshire has a growing population and economy, and it can be expected therefore that traffic and congestion will continue to increase. However, as in the previous ten years, future growth is unlikely to be evenly distributed across the towns and districts. The Action Plan relating to congestion within the Local Transport Plan outlines the initiatives that will contribute towards reducing congestion in the County; some of these measures include:

• Construction of the Rugby Western Relief Road which will significantly reduce congestion in Rugby town centre and on some radial routes • Improvements planned by the Highways Agency at M40 Junction 15 (Longbridge) and the A45/A46 interchange at Tollbar End will contribute significantly to reducing congestion • Reduce traffic growth in the most congested urban areas through provision of Park and Ride facilities for Warwick and Leamington Spa • Better management and co-ordination of road works, events and incidents on the highway

The source of data for of assessing highway network journey speeds will continue to be the annual journey runs already well established. However, other sources of data, such as in vehicle tracking devices, are becoming available which may provide a more statistically significant measure of journey speeds.

Further Information

For further information regarding traffic surveys undertaken in the County, contact Graham Thompson on 01926 765658 or email [email protected]. uk

The 2006–2011 Warwickshire Local Transport Plan is available to view on the County Council’s website www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ltp and the congestion strategy can be accessed at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ltpmain/section 127153441593.html

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 114 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

ROAD CASUALTIES

Description

Road casualties cause immense human suffering; they also represent a serious economic burden with each road casualty prevented saving an average £42,850 (source: Dept. of Transport Highways Economic Note No.1 December 2004 –calculated at June 2003 values).

Warwickshire’s road casualty statistics are compiled in accordance with Department of Transport definitions and represent the number of people killed or injured on the public highway in collisions which are reported to the police within 30 days of their occurrence. There is evidence that an appreciable proportion of non-fatal injury collisions are not reported and are therefore not included in the figures.

The Government’s Best Value Performance Indicator (BVPI) targets for 2010 are, compared with the average for 1994-98, as follows:

• To reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions by 40% • To reduce the number of children killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions by 50% • To reduce the number of people slightly injured in road traffic collisions by 10%

Performance

Figure 4.9; People killed or seriously injured on Warwickshire’s roads, 1999 – 2005 800

700

600

500

400

300

200

People killed or seriously injured in road accidents 100

0 1994-98 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 average

Source: Warwickshire County Council, Environment & Economy Directorate, Road Safety Unit.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 115 It should be noted that figures for individual years can show significant variation and the trend over a longer period is a more reliable indicator.

The number of people killed or seriously injured on Warwickshire’s roads has fallen significantly over the last decade. The figure for 2005 represents a reduction of 43% on the baseline average. The number of people slightly injured has also fallen from the baseline, but more slowly, now standing at 7% below the average.

Figure 4.10; People slightly injured on Warwickshire’s roads, 1999 – 2005

3,000

2,500

2,000 arwickshire's roads

1,500

1,000 People slightly injured on W

500

0 1994-98 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 average

Source: Warwickshire County Council, Environment & Economy Directorate, Road Safety Unit

Safety cameras have proved extremely successful at reducing road casualties; in 2005 there were 60 fewer people killed or seriously injured at Warwickshire camera sites compared with the 1994-98 baseline. It brings the total reduction in the number of people injured at camera sites in the last four years to 459.

Outlook

Casualty figures fluctuate from year to year and the 2005 figure for casualties killed or seriously injured appears to be considerably lower than that expected; the outlook however is likely to be a continuation of the steady downward trend shown over the period 2001-2004.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 116 In its 2006 Local Transport Plan, the County Council approved a Road Safety Strategy to reduce road casualties. The Strategy, based on education, engineering and enforcement, includes local casualty reduction targets which are more stretching than the Government’s BVPI targets.

Further Information

For further details on road casualties in Warwickshire visit www.warwickshire.gov. uk/roadsafety or contact the Road Safety Unit’s Intelligence team on 01926 735650 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire’s Road Safety Strategy is part of its Local Transport Plan 2006 – 2011 which can be viewed www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ltpmain/section_127153418156. html

Definitions of the terms used in casualty statistics and comparisons between Warwickshire and other authorities are given in Road Casualties Great Britain which is available on the Department for Transport’s website www.dft.gov.uk/transtat

For more information on how safety cameras influence road casualties in Warwickshire visit www.smilecamera.co.uk or telephone Stephen Rumble on 01926 412740 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 117 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere n/a

CYCLING

Description

Cycling is a healthy, sustainable and economic way to travel to school, to work, or for other local journeys. The growth in traffic, particularly in town centres and urban areas, has increased road congestion and environmental pollution. Cycling provides an ideal alternative to using the car, especially for short journeys.

Performance

Through the Local Transport Plan, there is an annual programme of investment in new cycling infrastructure. Resources are being focussed on the development of cycle networks in the five main towns of Leamington Spa, Warwick, Rugby, Nuneaton and Stratford-on-Avon. The aim is to provide good cycle routes to key locations, such as employment areas, educational establishments, town centres and rail stations. The County Council is also working with Sustrans to complete the National Cycle Network within the County.

In 2005, feasibility and design work was carried out on a number of new cycleway schemes within the main towns, which are planned for construction in 2006/07. These include Warwick/Leamington Spa to Warwick Technology Park; Weddington Road in Nuneaton and Birmingham Road in Stratford-on-Avon.

Figure 4.11; Automatic Cycle Counts, 2004 -2005

3500 2004 2005

3000

2500

2000

1500 Cycle flow (12 hour weekly average)

1000

500

0 St Nicholas Park, Ashlawn Road, Birmingham Road Wem Brook, Warwick Rugby Hatton Nuneaton Ashlawn Road, nr School Bilton Road, Sydenham Drive Rugby (rural) Rugby Leamington

Source: Warwickshire County Council, Transport Planning Unit.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 118 Results from automatic cycle counters installed at six sites in towns around the County are promising showing an average increase of 16% for 12 hour flows between 2004 and 2005. The automatic cycle counters are installed at locations where cycling facilities have been installed and can therefore demonstrate the influence of infrastructure improvements on cycling levels.

Cycling to School

Cycle use for journeys to school also shows a positive trend. The 2005 School Travel Survey indicated that across the County, 4% of pupils cycle to school (2% of primary pupils and 7% of secondary pupils). In 2000, the survey indicated that only 2% of pupils cycled to school. In schools where cycle routes have been constructed and storage/ parking facilities provided (see Travel to School indicator) these rates are higher, namely 10% primary and 13% secondary.

Recreational Cycling

Opportunities for recreational cycling within the County were enhanced last year with the introduction of Route 41, part of the National Cycle Network, between Warwick, Leamington and Rugby (‘The Lias Line’) developed by the County Council in partnership with Sustrans. Cycle hire facilities are being expanded at Kingsbury Water Park with a resulting increase in users and at Ryton Pools the numbers of cyclists using the Bridleway Challenge have resulted in improvements to the surface of the trail; both these being seen as a positive indications of the increasing popularity of cycling.

Outlook

The growth in cycling levels over the past year is encouraging and the County is optimistic that further cycle infrastructure improvements supported by promotional initiatives planned over the next five years could mark the start of an upward trend in cycle use by making it a viable and attractive travel choice.

Efforts to enhance the opportunities for cyclists in the wider countryside are continuing in 2006/7 with plans to develop a new cycle route between Compton Verney and Charlecote Park (linking in with the existing bus service). Cycle hire facilities will be established at both of these popular destinations giving visitors the opportunity to cycle from one to the other, and return by public transport.

Further Information

For further information on Warwickshire’s cycling strategy, contact Lisa Jones in the Transport Planning Unit 01926 735670 or email [email protected]

For further information on recreational cycling contact Craig Williams in Countryside Recreation on 01926 413420 or email [email protected]

To access Warwickshire’s Local Transport Plan Cycling Strategy visit www. warwickshire.gov.uk/ltpannex/chapter_151.html

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 119 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

TRAVEL TO SCHOOL

Description

Nationally, in 2004, the proportion of primary school aged children who walk to school was 50%, declining from 67% over the last 15 years. Similarly, the proportion of secondary school aged children walking to school has declined from 48% to 44% in 2004. While fewer children are walking to school, more are travelling by car. In 1989-91, 27 per cent of trips by 5 to 10 year olds were by car. This rose to 41 per cent in 2004. For 11 to 16 year olds the proportion rose from 14% to 22% over the same period. This situation has evolved due to a wide range of complex issues, including parental concerns over child safety/security during the journey to school, rising car ownership and an increase in the number of working mothers. Since trips to school take place at around the same time each day they have a major impact on levels of congestion.

Performance

The School Travel Survey has been carried out annually in Warwickshire since 1997. Up until 2002 there was a steady increase in car use for school journeys, rising from 35% in 1997 to 40% in 2002, in line with overall traffic growth in the County. In 2003 this figure fell to 39% and further reduced to 37% in 2004. The survey undertaken in November 2005 showed the percentage of pupils in Warwickshire travelling to school by car as 39%, a slight increase on the 2004 figure.

Figure 4.12; Percentage of children travelling to school by car, recorded by place of school

50 2002 2003 2004 2005

10 Percentage of school pupils travelling to by car

0 North Nuneaton Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire & Bedworth on-Avon

Source: School Travel Survey 05, Warwickshire County Council, Environment & Economy Directorate

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 120 The following table shows that the percentages of children walking or cycling varies widely across the County. The highest percentages of children walking to school are found within Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough while the highest number cycling to school are within Warwick District.

Figure 4.13; Percentage of pupils walking or cycling to school, 2005

Primary Secondary All Schools walk cycle walk cycle walk cycle

North Warwickshire 41% 1% 56% 2% 47% 1% Nuneaton & Bedworth 49% 1% 53% 9% 50% 4% Rugby 43% 2% 34% 7% 39% 4% Stratford-on-Avon 39% 2% 24% 1% 32% 2% Warwick 45% 5% 39% 14% 42% 9%

Warwickshire 44% 2% 38% 7% 41% 4%

Source: School Travel Survey 05, Warwickshire County Council, Environment & Economy Directorate

The level of cycling has been maintained across the County, particularly in the more urban areas. An analysis of local survey data has shown that where Safer Routes to School schemes have been implemented during the past five years, an overall reduction of 4% in car usage has been achieved. In contrast, schools where no investment has taken place have seen an increase in car journeys by 4%.

Overall, it is difficult to compare Warwickshire with elsewhere due to variations in car ownership and rural/urban differences. Warwickshire does appear to be following the national long-term trend of increasing numbers of school children travelling to school by car.

Outlook

The Safer Routes to Schools initiative will continue to promote the use of alternative modes of transport by working with schools and pupils to identify safety problems around cycling or walking to schools; by implementing schemes which address these problems and by working to improve the conditions of non-roadside paths used to get to and from school.

Schemes may involve engineering measures (pedestrian crossings or cycle routes) or other initiatives such as Walking Buses and ‘Kerbsafe’, a pedestrian training programme delivered to infant schools. Schools will be encouraged to develop their own School Travel Plan to set out a package of measures to improve their pupils’ safety on the school journey and to reduce the number of car trips.

Further Information

Details about ‘Safer Routes to School’ are available from Lynn Harding on 01926 412592 or email [email protected]. For details about ‘Walk to School Weeks’ and School Travel Plans contact sustainabletravel@warwickshire. gov.uk

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 121 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere n/a

BUS JOURNEYS

Description

An effective transport network is essential in order to give people, in both urban and rural areas of Warwickshire, access to the opportunities and benefits that contribute to the enjoyment of a better quality of life. To enjoy a balanced lifestyle and to take advantage of opportunities, people need to be able to access a wide range of facilities, including work, education, training, healthcare, shopping, social activities and leisure. For people without access to a car, the lack of appropriate transport links restrict the possibilities of benefiting from these facilities and opportunities.

Performance

There are currently 26 operators of registered bus services in Warwickshire. The largest bus operator in the area is Stagecoach, which accounts for 67% of all journeys. The majority of the bus services in Warwickshire are operated on a ‘for profit’ (i.e. commercial, non-subsidised) basis by private companies. Commercial bus services form the core of the bus network with approximately nine in ten bus passenger journeys made on these services.

To ensure that bus services are provided to parts of Warwickshire that are not served by the commercial bus network, Warwickshire County Council procures additional bus services through competitive tender. These additional, subsidised, bus services account for the remaining 11% of bus passenger journeys.

Figure 4.14; Number of bus passenger journeys in Warwickshire, 2001/02 – 2005/06

10 Journeys (new methodology) Journeys (old methodology)

Bus journeys per year (million) 5

0 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06

Source: Warwickshire County Council, Environment & Economy Directorate

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 122 During 2005/06, approximately 11.7 million passenger journeys were made on buses in Warwickshire. This represents an increase of 0.6 million journeys, an increase of more than 5% on the previous year and compares favourably with other local authorities. The target for 2006/07 is 11.9 million.

The methodology for measuring bus journeys changed in 2004/05, with the new figures suggesting a substantial reduction. Previously, all journeys that involved passengers boarding or alighting in Warwickshire were included. As all neighbouring authorities were using the same process, this meant that some journeys were being double counted. From 2004/05 only passengers boarding in Warwickshire are now counted in the County totals.

The introduction of additional evening and Sunday bus services, coupled with the increasing availability of new, low floor accessible buses now operating in Warwickshire appears to have enhanced the attractiveness of passenger transport in Warwickshire.

Outlook

The introduction of a Countywide free concessionary travel scheme for older and disabled passengers seems likely to see passenger transport usage continue to increase in 2006/07.

The County Council recognises the importance of providing financial support for local bus services but since 89% of bus services are provided through the private sector, passenger numbers need to be maintained in order to secure the long-term availability of certain routes.

Further Information

For more details on bus route provision and the availability of public transport contact Kevin McGovern on 01926 412930 or email [email protected]. uk

To access the Local Transport Plan Bus Strategy, visit the County Council website at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ltpannex/chapter_160.html

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 123 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere n/a

BUS SERVICE SATISFACTION

Description

A high level of satisfaction with bus services reflects public confidence and the willingness of people to make use of public transport. Not only is the provision of bus services important in enabling people to choose a more sustainable form of travel to work, but these services also allow people in more isolated areas to gain access to other key services such as shops, doctors, post offices and schools.

The Warwickshire County Council 2005 Public Satisfaction Survey asked users of bus services how satisfied they were with their local bus service and the provision of bus service information.

Performance

Amongst bus users, there is generally a much higher level of satisfaction with bus services than dissatisfaction. Countywide, 58% of bus users said that they were happy with the current provision of bus services in 2004, compared to 23% reporting some level of dissatisfaction. This satisfaction level of 58% is similar to last year’s level.

Figure 4.15; Percentage of bus users satisfied with bus services by District, 2005

70 Satisfied Dissastisfied

20 % of residents satisfied or dissatisfied 10

0 North Nuneaton Rugby Stratford-on Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire & Bedworth -Avon

Source: Warwickshire County Council Public Satisfaction Survey, 2005. Note: responses relate to users of bus service only.

At District level, Stratford-on-Avon has recorded the highest increase in satisfaction levels; last year only 49% of service users were satisfied with the service but in 2005 this increased to 59%. North Warwickshire, Nuneaton & Bedworth and Warwick recorded a decrease of between three and four percent; Rugby showed a slight increase of just above 1% and has the highest level of satisfaction in the County.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 124 The availability of accurate and user-friendly passenger information is seen as an important way to achieve increases in the use of public transport for both existing and potential passengers.

Figure 4.16; Percentage of bus users satisfied with public transport information, 2005

100 Satisfied Dissatisfied

40 Percentage of residents satisfied

0 North Nuneaton Rugby Stratford Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire & Bedworth on -Avon

Source: Warwickshire County Council Public Satisfaction Survey, 2005.

Across Warwickshire as a whole, 75% of bus users were satisfied with public transport information; this has increased by almost 12 percentage points since last year. The highest satisfaction levels are found in the north of the County with North Warwickshire and Rugby both having around 80% of bus passengers satisfied with the provision of public transport information. The satisfaction levels within Warwick District have improved greatly since last year rising from 53% to 73% and Stratford District dissatisfaction levels have decreased from 23% last year to 13% in 2005.

Outlook

The Bus Strategy within the Local Transport Plan aims to increase the quality and reliability of existing bus services, to provide new bus services, to improve the format and distribution of public transport publicity and to improve access making public transport a more attractive alternative to the car.

Further Information

For more details on bus route provision and the availability of public transport contact Kevin McGovern 01926 412930 or email [email protected]

For more information about the Bus Strategy within the Local Transport Plan visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ltpannex/chapter_160.html

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 125 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere n/a

RIGHTS OF WAY

Description

Warwickshire has 3,300 public paths covering over 2,800km. Over 80% of the rights of way network is public footpath and the remainder public bridleway and byways open to all traffic. The County has a further 100 unsurfaced, unclassified roads which are managed primarily for recreation. The rights of way network is generally in very good condition offering a range of walking, riding and cycling opportunities.

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 placed a duty on the County Council to produce a Rights of Way Improvement Plan; a 10-year plan for improving the provision of access to the countryside through rights of way. Warwickshire’s plan, known as the ‘Countryside and Rights of Way Improvement Plan’ (CARoWIP), is the first to be published in the West Midlands region and includes an assessment of:

• the extent to which Warwickshire’s rights of way meet the present and likely future needs of the public • the opportunities provided by rights of way for exercise and open air recreation • the accessibility of the rights of way network to blind or partially sighted persons and those with mobility problems • targets for the future of the rights of way network.

Performance

The County Council has been under a duty, since 2002, to produce a ‘Best Value Performance Indicator’ (BVPI) to establish the percentage of the rights of way network that is ‘Easy to Use’ by members of the public (BVPI 178). That is to say, paths follow their legal line, they are not obstructed, they are clearly waymarked and that all path furniture is in good condition.

A national methodology to produce BVPI 178 was introduced and this requires that 5% of the network (by length) is randomly surveyed each year, with 2.5% being surveyed in May and the rest in November.

Before the introduction of BVPI 178, the County Council had been monitoring the condition of its rights of way network and as shown below, the condition of the network steadily improved between 1998 and 2001, with 83% of the network being classed as easy to use in 2001. Superficially, it appears that performance sharply declined in 2002 to 55%. This is attributed to the introduction of the new BVPI methodology, rather than any real downturn in the network’s condition. Since 2002, the condition of the network continued to steadily improve, reaching 61% in 2004, however, there was a downturn in 2005, with only 51% passing the BVPI tests.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 126 The overall result for 2005 is heavily influenced by an exceptionally low May return (38%) and does not reflect that the result for November is the best on record (62%). There is no ready explanation for the low May figure other than that paths are selected at random and it is not considered that the overall result accurately reflects the true condition of Warwickshire’s network, a fact recognised by the local Ramblers’ Association groups.

Figure 4.17; Percentage of total length of footpaths and other rights of way that are easy to use

100% Old Methodology % of rights of way

80% New Methodology

60%

40%

20% % of rights way that are easy to use

0% 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Source: Warwickshire County Council Environment & Economy Directorate Note: 2002-2005 data not directly comparable with previous years due to changes in methodology.

Outlook

An increasing emphasis is being placed on improving access to the countryside for those with mobility and disability issues. This is being accomplished by promoting easy access trails and by seeking improvement across the network, particularly with regard to path furniture, where the principle of ‘least restriction’ is used.

A Statement of Intent has been drafted in consultation with the Local Access Forum, which outlines those CARoWIP targets the Council will work towards over the next twelve months and beyond.

Over 700 people joined Warwickshire’s second Walking Festival in May and June 2006, showcasing Warwickshire’s countryside with more than 64 guided walks across the County. The programme included everything from town centre walks to country and woodland walks across the County, including walks for health. Another festival is being planned for 2007.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 127 Further Information

For more details on the Parish Paths Partnership, phone 01926 413432. For more general enquiries, phone the Countryside Access Team on 01926 413427. Alternatively, email [email protected] or visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/countryside

To view the Rights of Way Improvement Plan visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/rowip

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 128 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere n/a

PARKS AND GREEN SPACES

Description

Parks and green spaces cover a wide range of public places and serve a diverse range of activities. A network of easily accessible, safe, attractive and welcoming parks, gardens and green spaces contribute to the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of people and local communities, now and for future generations. They can range from local grassed areas with trees and shrubs, parks and town centre gardens, nature reserves, allotments, river and canal corridors, woodlands, cemeteries and sports pitches.

Performance

The Green Flag Award is the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales and is a means of recognising and rewarding the best green spaces in the country. It is also seen as a way of encouraging others to achieve the same high environmental standards, creating a benchmark of excellence in recreational green areas.

Figure 4.18; Green Flag Awards in Warwickshire, existing and proposed

Green Flag Awards Green Space Borough/District

2000/01 Bancroft Gardens Stratford-on-Avon 2001/02 Bancroft Garden Stratford-on-Avon Recreation Ground 2002/03 Bancroft Gardens Stratford-on-Avon Recreation Ground River Arrow Local Nature Reserve 2003/04 Bancroft Gardens Stratford-on-Avon Recreation Ground River Arrow Local Nature Reserve

2004/05 River Arrow Local Nature Reserve Stratford-on-Avon

2005/06 No awards within Warwickshire

2006/07 Jephson Gardens & Mill Gardens Warwick District River Arrow Local Nature Reserve Stratford-on-A von Proposed : St. Nicholas Park Warwick District Miners Welfare Park Nuneaton & Bedworth Riversley Park Caldecott Park Rugby Swift Valley Whinfield Cemetery

Source: Green Flag Award.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 129 The Borough and District Councils within Warwickshire, have recognised the importance of open space provision within their Local Plans and have indicated that the Green Flag Award Scheme will be adopted as a accepted performance measure.

Stratford-on-Avon District has been the recipient of Green Flag Awards for different locations since 2001/02; locations have to be submitted each year for consideration for the award by the Civic Trust and for the first time in 2006/07 Jephson and Mill Gardens in Warwick District have received the Green Flag Award together with the River Arrow Local Nature Reserve in Stratford District for the fourth time. In total 423 awards were announced nationally for 2006/07.

All Districts have indicated in their Local Plans that they will be working towards managing sites according to Green Flag standards and submitting applications for the award for flagship sites in their areas. This indicator will monitor the District and Borough progress towards achieving these awards and standards.

The results of the Public Satisfaction Survey shows that Warwickshire residents’ satisfaction with their local parks and open spaces shows a slight decline but varies across the Districts; it will be useful to monitor the effect on public satisfaction of the District’s implementation of their Green Space Strategies.

Figure 4.19; Satisfaction with Parks and Open Spaces, by District

100 2003 2004 2005

20 Percentage satisfaction with parks & open spaces (service users)

0 North Nuneaton Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire & Bedworth on-Avon

Source: Warwickshire County Council Public Satisfaction Survey 2005/06 (service users only)

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 130 Outlook

Warwickshire is part of the West Midlands Parks Forum, one of a national network currently being developed by the charity GreenSpace. This network of local authorities and community groups has been set up to focus on promoting the sustainable planning, design, management and improvement of parks and green spaces at a local, regional and national level. The contribution of parks and green spaces to quality of life is being recognised with members seeking to exchange information on best practice within parks and green space management.

With the introduction of Green Space Strategies by local authorities encompassing Green Flag criteria, the quality standard of Warwickshire’s local parks and green spaces is expected to be raised and new sites submitted for the Green Flag Award Scheme.

Further Information

For more details on the Green Flag Award visit www.greenflagaward.co.uk

For more information on the County Council’s Public Satisfaction Survey contact Dave Gardiner in the Warwickshire Observatory on 01926 418049 or email research@ warwickshire.gov.uk

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 131 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

CARBON EMISSIONS

Description

Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas accounting for about 85% of the total. The vast majority of carbon dioxide emissions come from the burning of fossils fuels and in recent years increasing emphasis has been placed on the role of regional and local government in contributing to energy efficiency improvements and reductions in carbon dioxide emissions.

Performance

A project commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) was published in August 2005 combining data from the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory with newly available local gas, electricity and road transport fuel consumption data from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to develop for the first time a nationally consistent set of carbon dioxide emission estimates down to local authority level.

Estimates have been produced of carbon emissions from the following broad source categories : industry and commercial, domestic and road transport for local authorities. These statistics are a new development and as such are defined as ‘experimental statistics’ under the terms of the National Statistics Code of Practice.

Figure 4.20; Estimates of Carbon Emissions in Warwickshire 2003, by District

Domestic Road Transport 800 Industrial & Commerce

700

2 600

500

400

Thousand tonnes CO 300

200

100

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Source: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 132 In total, the combined fuel figures for 2003 indicate that Warwickshire produced almost 5.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, the greatest contributor to this figure 41% being road transport; industry and commerce contributed 31% and domestic users 28%.

In North Warwickshire, extensive through traffic along the main transport links of the M6, M40 & M69 combine with other routes to produce the highest level of carbon emissions in the County. Stratford District has the second highest level again within the transport fuel category. Warwick District has the highest level of carbon emission within the industrial and commerce category whereas Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough with a high number of households within a smaller area produces the greater amount of emissions from domestic energy consumption.

The DTI commissioned the National Environmental Technology Centre (Netcen) as part of their commitment to make energy use data available at local authority level, to produce the road transport fuel estimates and Figure 4.21 illustrates how the consumption of road transport fuel, as highlighted above, is broken down within the major classes of vehicle. The data is based on point of consumption rather than where the fuel was purchased in order to produce comparable data to that available for gas and electricity.

Figure 4.21; Volume of Road Transport Fuels sold within Warwickshire, 2002

120

Cars - Petrol Cars - diesel HGV LGV Buses

100

60 Thousands of tonnes fuel 40

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Bedworth on - Avon

Source: Department of Trade & Industry; Netcen

Per capita consumption figures in Warwickshire show the variations across the County with North Warwickshire highlighted as the highest consumer in all categories of usage.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 133 Figure 4.22; Total Energy Consumption in Warwickshire, by District 2003

North Nuneaton & Stratford- Warwickshire Bedworth Rugby on-Avon Warwick

Total domestic energy consumption/capita (kWh) 15,190 7,790 9,420 11,360 11,390

Total industrial/ commercial energy consumption/employee (kWh) 38,100 15,400 23,400 20,100 23,200

Total vehicle consumption/capita (tonnes of fuel) 4.1 0.4 1.5 1.5 1.1

Total final energy consumption/capita (kWh) 85,300 18,300 40,300 39,100 38,000

CO2 emissions/capita (tonnes CO2) 20.3 5.4 11.5 11.6 10.6

Source: Department of Trade & Industry, Energy Statistics.

Outlook

In order to achieve the national target of a 60% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 from a 2003 baseline, Warwickshire will need to reduce emissions by an extra 57,000 tonnes each and every year. The DTI’s commitment to make energy data available at a local level will enable local and regional bodies to target activity more effectively.

Warwickshire is tackling this major issue with the launch of its first Climate Change Strategy. The Warwickshire Climate Change Partnership includes organisations from the public, private and voluntary sectors, working together to effectively reduce carbon dioxide emissions though targeted actions in key areas: transport, energy, resource efficiency, adaptation and communications and education.

Further Information

For further information about Warwickshire’s Climate Change Strategy visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/climatechange or email climatechange@ warwickshire.gov.uk

For the source data relating to energy consumption, visit the following websites: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/globatmos/galocalghg.htm www.dti.gov.uk/energy/statistics/regional/index.html

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 134 Natural Resources

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 151 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

WATER CONSUMPTION

Description

Water is essential for a healthy environment and a healthy society. The way we use water in our homes and gardens, in commerce and industry and in agriculture, has a direct impact on the environment. Although we have high rainfall in the UK, parts of the West Midlands are among the driest in the country and there are limited natural or artificial facilities to store water in the region. The average temperature over the region has risen by one degree since 1990 and it is predicted that we are moving towards a climate with long, dry, hot summers and short, much milder but wetter winters with a need to conserve and store water during the winter.

Performance

In England and Wales the balance between water supply and water demand is becoming an increasingly vital issue. During the past two decades we have been steadily increasing the amount of water we use and forecasts indicate that this trend will continue. Whilst average household consumption remains fairly constant, an increase in the number of households is causing an increase in demand.

Figure 5.1 illustrates the average consumption per person in a typical residence in England & Wales and the Severn Trent region. The data has been derived through analysis of a representative sample of domestic dwellings (both metered and non- metered) and does not include pipe leakages.

Figure 5.1; Per capita estimated consumption by an average home in England & Wales and the Severn Trent region (litre/person/day)

200 Severn Trent England & Wales

150

100

erage Household Consumption (Litres/person/day) 0

Av 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06

Source: Ofwat, Severn Trent Water.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 136 Within Warwickshire, 19% of the 226,000 households are metered compared to an average within England and Wales of 26%. The total daily volume of water used can be estimated by referring to the occupancy rate for measured and unmeasured households in the Severn Trent region. In November 2005, Severn Trent Water commissioned MORI to carry out an exercise to establish better household occupancy figures. As a result of this, the per capita consumption for metered customers has reduced from 133 litres/day in 2003/04 to 118 litres/day in 2004/05 and has increased for the un-measured from 131 litres/day to 137 litres/day. Overall however, for all customers, there has been very little change in the per capita consumption but with the numbers increasing the overall quantity of water supplied has risen.

Figure 5.2; Total Estimated Consumption of Water in Warwickshire, 2005

No of Households Occupancy Rate Average per capita Total Volume consumption (litres/day) (litres/day)

Un-metered 182,000 2.39 136.5 59,374,770

Metered 44,000 2.29 118.0 11,889,680

Total domestic water supplied in Warwickshire 71,264,450

Source: Severn Trent Water.

Outlook

There is evidence that, with seasonal adjustment, actual base water usage may slowly decrease in the future. This is due to the increasing number of households likely to pay for their water by meters, the improved efficiency of white goods such as washing machines, and an improvement in the water distribution system.

Water companies have a duty to promote water efficiency to their customers with the installation of water meters free of charge or by encouraging the use of water saving devices.

Changes in the economy, as well as consumers’ lifestyle changes, will need to be monitored alongside the impact of climate change in order to predict future demand.

Further Information

For more information on the water services industry visit www.ofwat.gov.uk or visit the Severn Trent Water website at www.stwater.co.uk

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 137 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

WATER QUALITY

Description

Warwickshire falls within two major river catchments of the Midlands – the Avon Catchment which takes water from the south into the Severn via the Avon and its tributaries and the Tame Catchment which takes water from the north, and most of the West Midlands, into the Trent via the Tame and its tributaries.

The quality of this water is vitally important – we depend on surface and underground sources for our drinking water. We also need water to generate energy, to grow our crops, run machinery, carry wastes, enhance the landscape. We use water for washing and cleaning, industrial abstraction, recreation, cooking and gardening as well as simply to enjoy it. Water is also vital as a habitat for both freshwater and marine plants and animals.

Performance

The Environment Agency is responsible for maintaining or improving the quality of fresh, marine, surface and underground water in England and Wales.

River quality is monitored by the Environment Agency using a survey called the General Quality Assessment (GQA) scheme in which quality grades (A – F) are assigned to watercourse stretches according to the water chemistry, biology and nutrient levels. These in turn have been grouped into four broader groups - good, fair, poor and bad. River Quality Objectives are set which can range from improving a poor watercourse so that it can support fish, to improving a good watercourse so that it is suitable for drinking water supply.

It should be borne in mind that river courses and catchment areas often cross local authority boundaries and therefore the quality of some river waters within a local authority area may be affected by factors outside the borders of that authority.

Chemical Quality – an indicator of organic pollution in general

Between 1990 and 2005 England experienced a 21% increase in the total length of rivers and canals graded as ‘good’. This has been due to the positive impact of the investment programme of the water industry, including a major clean up of discharges from sewage- treatment works and investment in environmental programmes by industry.

Chemical water quality within Warwickshire has also generally improved since 1990. The north of the County continues to have lower quality levels with only Warwick District (68%) in the south having a level slightly above the national average (64%). The greatest improvement in quality was recorded in Rugby Borough; the percentage of surface water recorded as ‘good’ is 61%, the highest figure recorded within the Borough since this data has become available.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 138 Figure 5.3; Chemical Water Quality 1990 – 2005 (percentage of water network graded ‘good’)

80 1995 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005

20 Percentage of water network graded as good

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford-on Warwick Warwickshire England Warwickshire Bedworth Avon

Source: Environment Agency. Note: 2005 data at County level is not currently available

Biological Quality - an indicator of overall ‘health’ of rivers

Biological grading is based on the monitoring of invertebrates which live in or on the bed of a river. The number and diversity of freshwater species found in samples can be used to make inferences about water quality. Species groups recorded at a site are compared with those which would be expected to be present in the absence of pollution and other harmful substances, allowing for the different physical characteristics in different parts of the country.

The biological quality of Warwickshire’s surface water has been below the national average for several years; the improvement in the chemical quality within Rugby Borough is mirrored in the biological quality with an increase of 13% in the stretches of surface water sustaining more species.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 139 Figure 5.4; Biological Water Quality 1990 – 2005 (percentage of water network graded ‘good’)

80 1995 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005

20 Percentage of water network graded as good

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford-on Warwick Warwickshire England Warwickshire Bedworth Avon

Source: Environment Agency. Note: 2005 data at County level is not currently available

Outlook

Ongoing investment by the water industry in sewage treatment works at Finham, Warwick and Draycote, will directly effect the quality of the County’s local watercourses. The Environment Agency, local authorities and Severn-Trent have a statutory duty to further conservation by improving water quality. Run off from urban and agricultural land is the most widespread pollution risk which is being tackled by better drainage of housing and roads and the promotion of good agricultural practice.

Further Information

For further details on the work of the Environment Agency and water quality issues, visit either www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/quality/index.htm or http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/waterquality/?lang=_e

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 140 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

SITES OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST

Description

There are over 4,000 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in England covering around 7% of the land area. SSSI’s are the country’s very best wildlife and geological sites and they are under pressure from development, pollution, climate change and unsustainable land management. Protecting and managing is a shared responsibility and an investment for the benefit of future generations.

The condition of SSSIs is assessed by English Nature using standards agreed across the UK. A feature on a site will be recorded as favourable or recovering when set criteria are met which ensure the feature will be sustained in the long term. The Government has set a Public Service Agreement (PSA) target of 95% of SSSIs to be in good condition by 2010.

Performance

There are 62 SSSI’s in Warwickshire. These are sub divided into 99 units and total 1,360 hectares in area (0.7% of land area) The County’s largest SSSI is Alvecote Pools with an area of 128 hectares. Figure 5.5 shows the condition of Warwickshire SSSIs as a percentage of their total area. The figures exclude those units of cross-boundary sites that fall outside the County, for example the Staffordshire unit of Alvecote Pools, but include Warwickshire’s units of the River Blythe SSSI outside Solihull. The comparable figures for last year are provided in brackets.

Figure 5.5; Condition of SSSIs in Warwickshire and England, May 2006 (2005 in brackets)

Warwickshire England

Number of SSSI sites 62 4,120 Number of SSSI units 99 22,114

Condition Percentage of total SSSI area Favourable or recovering/Meeting PSA target 87.9% (89.4%) 72.5% (67.7%) Unfavourable no change 2.0% (0.4%) 18.3% (20.8%) Unfavourable declining 10.1% (10.2%) 9.1% (11.5%) Destroyed 0.0% (0.0%) 0.1% (0.1%)

Source: English Nature (SDRT18).

Warwickshire continues to perform well compared to the regional and national picture, where there are major problems with many upland habitats that are suffering from moor burning and over-grazing. There are 441 SSSIs in the West Midlands region of which 71% are in target condition; there are huge variations within the counties and English Nature has assessed the condition of each one and consulted widely on remedies.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 141 There has been a slight increase in the area under ‘Unfavourable no change’ in Warwickshire as a result of inadequate grazing. A lack of grazing or scrub invasion remains a problem at some sites.

Figure 5.6; Area and percentage of the different types of SSSI within Warwickshire, 2005

Broadleaved woodland 58%

18% Standing open water

9% Calcareous grassland

6% Marsh

5% Grassland - lowland

3% Earth Heritage Site

2% Rivers & streams

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 Hectares

Source: English Nature.

Outlook

English Nature has worked with the Environment Agency and the water companies to identify improvements to specific sewage treatment works to reduce the levels of phosphorous in certain rivers. Such improvements are already planned for the Smite Brook affecting Coombe Pool (51ha) and others are expected in the next few years. Provided these are implemented in the next two years, Warwickshire remains on track to meet the PSA target of 95% of SSSIs to be in favourable or recovering condition by 2010.

Further Information

More details on SSSIs in Warwickshire, including the condition of individual sites, are now available from English Nature’s website www.english-nature.org.uk or contact Anton Irving at English Nature. Phone 01295 257601 or email anton.irving@english-nature. org.uk

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 142 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

LAND USE

Description

The re-use of Previously Developed Land (PDL) encourages urban regeneration by developing derelict and vacant sites, and protects the countryside by reducing the need to build on greenfield sites. The development of previously used sites in appropriate locations can also limit the need to travel and consequently reduce traffic congestion.

However, it is not necessarily true that all re-uses of PDL are beneficial. There may be instances where the pressure to redevelop sites (with the loss of existing uses) could be detrimental to aspects that impact on the quality of life of residents. It is therefore important to note that the indicators used and presented below only serve as a proxy for the overall picture.

From 2001, the Government set a national target of 60% of all new housing to be built on previously developed land by 2008, although this will vary between urban and rural areas. No similar national target has been set for employment land development. However, in the Warwickshire Structure Plan (WASP), the County has set a target of 50% of new housing and 62% of new employment land development on urban previously developed land between 1996 and 2011.

Performance

Housing Development

Figure 5.7; Number of New Dwellings Completed and Percentage Built on Previously Developed Land by District, 1996/97 – 2005/06

District/Borough 2005/06 1996/97 - 2005/06 All Housing Percentage Avg. Completions Percentage Completions PDL per Year PDL

North Warwickshire 111 99% 144 76%

Nuneaton & Bedworth 706 83% 518 77%

Rugby 547 61% 385 47%

Stratford-on-Avon 712 43% 634 48%

Warwick 787 87% 833 60%

Warwickshire 2,863 71% 2,513 59%

Source: Regional Spatial Strategy Annual Monitoring Housing Summary Return

For the County as a whole, overall levels of development on PDL have remained relatively stable at around 60%. However, during the last two years, there has been an increase reaching 71% in 2005/06.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 143 The percentage of homes built on PDL tends to fluctuate, as it is affected by the number of planning permissions given and the size and progress of developments. There are considerable variations between Districts. For example, Stratford-on-Avon District tends to have a relatively low percentage of PDL completions (48% from 1996/97) due to its mainly rural character with limited former industrial land. In contrast, North Warwickshire Borough has achieved an average of 91% since 2001, helped by the fact that their total number of new builds is small compared to the other Districts, and they are also generally on small sites.

Rugby Borough has the lowest percentage of PDL completions in the County, with an average of 47% over the past ten years. This is largely due to planning permission given in 1997 for two large housing developments at Cawston Grange and Coton Park (1,200 and 900 houses respectively). Both these greenfield sites were allocated prior to national planning policy guidance, with its emphasis on directing development towards PDL. It is expected that the figure will improve as these two sites are fully developed.

Warwick District has, on average, the highest number of dwellings built in the County each year. The percentage of development that took place on PDL fell below 60% between 2000 and 2004, largely due to the South West Warwick housing development accounting for a large number of greenfield completions. During the past two years, levels of development on PDL have recovered dramatically reaching 87% in 2005/06.

Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough has in general achieved a relatively high level of PDL completions (averaging 77% from 1996). There is no need for the release of any further greenfield sites to meet Structure Plan/RSS targets so it is anticipated that the percentage of PDL completions will remain high.

Although performance is strong in terms of the proportion of housing development taking place on previously developed land, there is also a need to monitor whether developments are taking place in rural or urban areas. The Warwickshire Structure Plan (WASP) suggests that around 50% of housing development should take place on urban previously developed land. During 2004/05, the actual figure was 48%.

Employment Land Development

The WASP sets out indicative targets for each District and the County as a whole in terms of locating development on previously developed land.

Over the five year period 2000/01-2004/05, 76% of all new employment land developments completed in Warwickshire occurred on previously developed land, exceeding the WASP target of 62%.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 144 Figure 5.8; Amount and Percentage Employment Land Completed on PDL by District, 2000/01 - 2004/05

District/Borough 2000/01 - 2004/05 Total PDL Greenfield Total Percentage WASP Target PDL 1996 -201 1

North Warwickshire 168.8 0.4 169.2 99.2 95

Nuneaton & Bedworth 48.2 7.6 66.8 86.4 61

Rugby 1.9 38.1 40.0 4.8 49

Stratford-on-Avon 26.4 16.5 42.9 61.5 60

Warwick 6.8 17.1 23.9 28.5 10

Warwickshire 252.1 79.7 331.7 76.0 62

Source: RSS Regional Employment Land Survey (RELS) Return

Warwick District has achieved 29% over the five year period, well above the 10% WASP indicative target (although this target is the lowest in the County).

North Warwickshire Borough has managed to achieve virtually 100% for the last four years due to numerous large sites such as the former power station at Hams Hall and Birch Coppice colliery.

Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough has achieved a particularly high level of 86% .These sites include former Coventry Colliery (Prologis) and Bermuda Industrial Estate (former open cast site). There are a number of smaller PDL sites such as Haunchwood Industrial Estate (former colliery site) and Blackhorse Road (former coal business).

Levels in Rugby Borough have been well below the WASP indicative target. To counter this trend and comply with national guidance, the 2006 Rugby Borough Local Plan has made all urban employment allocations on previously developed land.

Outlook

Warwickshire is in a strong position to meet the national 60% target set by the Government for housing on previously developed land. The County will continue to monitor the targets set out in the Warwickshire Structure Plan (WASP).

Further Information

Further information about employment and housing land monitoring can be obtained from Oscar Yau in the Warwickshire Observatory. Telephone 01926 412358 or email [email protected]

More detailed information about the monitoring of the Warwickshire Structure Plan is available on the Warwickshire Observatory website, www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ wspmonitor

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 145 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

LOCAL NATURE RESERVES

Description

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) are places with wildlife or geological features that are of special interest. They offer people opportunities to study or learn about nature or simply to enjoy it. There are now over 1,300 LNRs in England and in total they cover almost 40,000 hectares, an impressive natural resource which makes an important contribution to the nation’s biodiversity.

LNRs also offer a positive use for land which local authorities would prefer was left undeveloped and make it possible to apply bye-laws which can help in managing and protecting sites.

Performance

There are currently nineteen Local Nature Reserves in Warwickshire. They cover 271 hectares, which represents 0.51 hectares per 1,000 population. The provision of Local Nature Reserves is currently below the English Nature target of one hectare per 1,000 population, but Warwickshire compares well with most neighbouring shire counties.

Figure 5.9; Local Nature Reserves in Warwickshire, by District, 2005

District/Borough Area Hectares per 1,000 Hectares Name of LNR population North Warwickshire 0 Nuneaton & Bedworth 0.1 Bedworth Sloughs 5 Ensors Pool 6 Rugby 0.5

Cock Robin Wood 4 Great Central W alk 32 Newbold Quarry 9

Stratford-on-Avon 0.8 Clopton Park 29 River Arrow 3 Stockton Railway Cutting 1 Ufton Fields 32 Welcombe Hills 30 Warwick 0.9 Crackley Wood, Kenilworth 1 Hall Farm Meadow, Hunningham 1 Kenilworth Common 12 Knowle Hill, Kenilworth 3 Leam Valley, Leamington 40 Oakwood & Blacklow Spinney 1 Parliament Piece, Kenilworth 6 Welches Meadow, Leamington 4 Whitnash Brook 52

Warwickshire 0.5 271

Sources: English Nature, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 146 As LNRs support habitats and species that are important at a local (and often national) level, they can play an important part in Local Biodiversity Action Plans and provide a great opportunity for people to become involved in the management of their local environment.

English Nature in partnership with the Big Lottery Fund run the ‘Wildspace!’ grant scheme for Local Nature Reserves. It helps local people, particularly disadvantaged groups and communities, to improve, care for and enjoy their local environment. There has been to date one project funded within the County – the Welcombe Hills & Clopton Park Interpretation Project. The project was designed to raise awareness, understanding and participation in the reserve particularly focussing on under represented communities from local deprived areas and those with disabilities.

Outlook

English Nature and Local Authorities will continue to assess the potential for sites to be designated as Local Nature Reserves. For example, North Warwickshire Borough Council has included three sites in its Local Plan that it intends to declare as LNRs in due course. It is hoped that Warwickshire will make progress towards the national target during the medium-term.

Further Information

More details on individual LNRs in Warwickshire are now available on English Nature’s website www.english-nature.org.uk, or contact Anton Irving at English Nature. Phone 01295 257601 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 147 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere n/a

BIODIVERSITY

Description

Human life depends on the networks between different living creatures and their habitats. Biodiversity gives us the essentials of life – water, oxygen, food, clothing, health and relaxation. We could not survive without it and the quality of our lives is greatly enriched by wildlife. Yet human activity is having a devastating impact on biodiversity across the world. In Britain urban development, intensive farming, transport, pollution and disturbance has lead to huge losses of certain habitats and species.

Performance

The Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) is a partnership-driven strategy to protect local wildlife launched in 2003 involving a wide range of organisations and agencies from the public, private and voluntary sectors. Fifty individual action plans have been written to protect once familiar species such as the water vole, small blue butterfly and black poplar, and habitats ranging from gardens to canals.

Local authorities throughout the region have signed up to the LBAP through their County Strategic Partnership Plans and Community Strategies; in Warwickshire successful grant bids have funded habitat creation and enhancement along the Tame Valley in the north of the County, including the planting of more reedbed for bitterns. The LBAP has also given a boost to the Princethorpe Project that connects woodlands and hedgerows to improve habitat for brown hare, dormouse and wood white butterfly.

The plan contains over five hundred actions and these are now being monitored and reported into the UK Biodiversity Action Reporting System (BARS). The information in BARS will be used by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan to co-ordinate conservation effort nationwide to save the most threatened species and habitats. The plans will have clear measurable targets and it is envisaged that local people and organisations will become actively involved.

The LBAP will provide a local response to the UK Government’s National Action Plans for threatened habitats and species. The LBAP will contribute to national targets wherever these are relevant to Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull but will also set local targets. The LBAP will contain action plans for all our local habitats (woodlands, wetlands, grasslands, etc.) and many of our threatened and declining local species (e.g. barn owl and otter).

From 1st October 2006, all public sector bodies will have to consider biodiversity in the work they do under Section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act. The aim is to raise the profile of biodiversity in England and Wales, eventually to a point where biodiversity issues become second nature to those making decisions in the public sector.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 148 The importance of local biodiversity to the residents of Warwickshire can be gauged by the results of a consultation undertaken in October 2005 as part of the Citizen’s Panel.

Figure 5.10; Percentage of people who think that maintaining and enhancing the variety, quality and distribution of natural plants and animals is important

100

40 Percentage of respondants

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire Bedworth on - Avon

Source: Warwickshire County Council Citizens Panel, October 2005

Overall, 91% of people indicated that maintaining and enhancing local wildlife was very or fairly important; there was very little variation across the districts. It is encouraging for those partners undertaking the conservation efforts throughout the County that so many regard this as an important issue.

Outlook

Later this year, the LBAP will be reviewed to bring targets in line with national action plans. In order to involve people at community level in improving their local environment, it is hoped to produce a Parish LBAP to be published in the autumn; it is hoped that some projects will be eligible for funding through the BBC Breathing Places campaign.

Further Information

Details of the LBAP, including Species Action Plans and Habitat Action Plans, are available from the website www.warwickshire.gov.uk/biodiversity.

For more information on the LBAP contact Ruth Moffatt on 01926 412197 or email [email protected]

For information on Biodiversity Action Reporting System (BARS) visit: www.ukbap-reporting.org.uk

Visit www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces for information on the availability of funding for local projects

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 149 Summary

Trend over time n/a Warwickshire compared with elsewhere n/a

ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT

Description

The Ecological Footprint (EF) is a model produced by the Stockholm Environment Institute, which converts household expenditure at the national level into its associated environmental impact and estimates the demand of human activities on nature. Any sort of resource use - going out for a meal, flying to holiday destination, building a house, or even paying into a pension scheme, leaves an Ecological Footprint on the planet.

An Ecological Footprint represents the amount of biologically productive land and water used by its residents. Land is used for the natural resources it can provide, such as food and timber, for it’s ecological services, such as absorbing waste and to build and live on.

Performance

The world’s average Ecological Footprint is 2.2 global hectares (gha) per person; by dividing the total biologically productive surface area by the current population gives the budget for sustainable living of 1.8 hectares per person. Globally, natural resources are being used more quickly than they replenish.

Ecological Footprints can be estimated for individuals, households, schools, businesses, cities, regions, or countries. Local authority footprints for Warwickshire districts are shown in Figure 5.11 and are the Ecological Footprint of the residents who live within the local authority area; wherever residents consume their resources, this is allocated to the individuals.

The EF of the UK is 5.4 global hectares per person meaning that if everyone in the world were to live like the average person in the UK we would need three planets to provide all the resources and absorb all the waste.

The EFs within the Warwickshire Districts vary from 5.2 gha/person to 5.7gha/person. Both nationally and locally the food sector produces the largest single impact within the footprint. Localising food production and reducing high energy food processing could address this impact. Household energy consumption is responsible for about 20% of the footprint with manufactured durables and consumables contributing about 11%.

Local population figures are increasing but so too are the number of individual households; the increase in households requires additional resources for construction, furnishing, energy and waste production. There is a need to manage this increase in resource consumption in the most sustainable manner.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 150 Figure 5.11; Ecological Footprints, by district in Warwickshire

ravel Food& Drink Energy CapitalInvestment T ConsumablesGovernment& Other Services Housing Holidays

North Warwickshire

Nuneaton & Bedworth

Rugby

Stratford- on-Avon

Warwick

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ecological Footprint (global hectares/capita)

Source: Stockholm Environment Institute Resources and Energy Analysis Programme

It is hoped that funding will be available to repeat this study and as the Footprint is measuring long-term trends, it is hoped to repeat the analysis every 2-3 years with a new set of local Footprint accounts planned for 2008. The West Midlands Region is one of three regions piloting the application of REAP as a tool to assess the potential impact on resources of changing economic development.

Outlook

The UK Government launched its new strategy for Sustainable Development in 2005 aiming to enable all people to satisfy their basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life without compromising the quality of life of future generations. Warwickshire County Council is also moving towards a more sustainable way of operation with a Corporate Policy on Environmental Sustainability.

Further Information

Further information about the Ecological Footprint can be accessed at www.sei.se/reap/local.php For information about National and Local Sustainability Strategies please visit the Council website at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ sustainability

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 151 Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 168 District Trends

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 169 District Summaries – North Warwickshire Borough

Key

Good performance Moderate performance Poor performance . . Information not available or not applicable at District level

Indicator Trend Compared Compared Page over with with time national Warwickshire average average

Unemployment 10 Employment 16 Skills . . 18 rs

to Earnings 20 ca Benefit Claimants 22 di Gross Value Added ...... 25 In

ic Jobs in Warwickshire 29 Inward Investment . . 32 om Business Viability 34

Econ Business Location . . 38 Housing Affordability 40 Tourism ...... 42 Community Priorities ...... 46 Community Wellbeing . . 48 Social Participation . . 50 Happiness . .. . 52 Healthy Living . . 54

rs Smoking Cessation . . 56 to Substance Misuse . . 60 ca Perception of Anti-Social Behaviour . . 64 di

In Youth Offending ...... 66 al al Fear of Crime 69 ci Recorded Crime 71 So Satisfaction with Health Services . . 73 Life Expectancy 76 Mortality Rates 78 Years of Life Lost 80 Pre-school Provision . . 82

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 154 Indicator Trend Compared Compared Page over with with time national Warwickshire average average

Key Stage Attainment 84 GCSE Attainment 86 Lifelong Learning . . 87 School Leaver Destinations . . 92 Unauthorised Absence . . 95 Access to Key Services ...... 96 Older People Helped to Live at Home . . 98 Unfit Homes 100 Air Quality ...... 104 Flooding . . . . 107 Household Waste . . 109 rs

to Recycling & Composting . . 109

ca Road Traffic Volume & Congestion ...... 112 di Road Casualties ...... 115 In t t Cycling ...... 118 en Travel to School . . 120 nm Bus Journeys ...... 122 ro

vi Bus Service Satisfaction . . 124

En Rights of Way ...... 126 Parks & Green Spaces ...... 129 Carbon Emissions ...... 132 Water Consumption ...... 136 Water Quality 138 s s l

ce Sites of Special Scientific Interest ...... 141 ra ur

tu Land Use 143 so

Na Local Nature Reserves 146

Re Biodiversity ...... 148 Ecological Footprints ...... 150

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 155 District Summaries – Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough

Key

Good performance Moderate performance Poor performance . . Information not available or not applicable at District level

Indicator Trend Compared Compared Page over with with time national Warwickshire average average

Unemployment 10 Employment 16 Skills . . 18 rs

to Earnings 20 ca Benefit Claimants 22 di Gross Value Added ...... 25 In

ic Jobs in Warwickshire 29 Inward Investment . . 32 om Business Viability 34

Econ Business Location . . 38 Housing Affordability 40 Tourism ...... 42 Community Priorities ...... 46 Community Wellbeing . . 48 Social Participation . . 50 Happiness . .. . 52

Healthy Living . . 54 rs Smoking Cessation . . 56 to

ca Substance Misuse . . 60 di Perception of Anti-Social Behaviour . . 64 In Youth Offending ...... 66 al al ci Fear of Crime . . 69

So Recorded Crime 71 Satisfaction with Health Services . . 73 Life Expectancy 76 Mortality Rates 78 Years of Life Lost 80

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 156 Indicator Trend Compared Compared Page over with with time national Warwickshire average average

Pre-school Provision . . 82 Key Stage Attainment 84 GCSE Attainment 86 Lifelong Learning . . 87 School Leaver Destinations . . 92 Unauthorised Absence . . 95 Access to Key Services ...... 96 Older People Helped to Live at Home . . 98 Unfit Homes 100 Air Quality ...... 104 Flooding . . 107 Household Waste . . 109 rs

to Recycling & Composting . . 109

ca Road Traffic Volume & Congestion ...... 112 di Road Casualties ...... 115 In t t Cycling ...... 118 en Travel to School . . 120 nm Bus Journeys ...... 122 ro

vi Bus Service Satisfaction . . 124

En Rights of Way ...... 126 Parks & Green Spaces ...... 129 Carbon Emissions ...... 131 Water Consumption ...... 136 Water Quality 138 s s l

ce Sites of Special Scientific Interest ...... 141 ra ur

tu Land Use 143 so

Na Local Nature Reserves 146

Re Biodiversity ...... 148 Ecological Footprints ...... 150

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 157 District Summaries – Rugby Borough

Key

Good performance Moderate performance Poor performance . . Information not available or not applicable at District level

Indicator Trend Compared Compared Page over with with time national Warwickshire average average

Unemployment 10 Employment 16 Skills . . 18 rs

to Earnings 20 ca Benefit Claimants 22 di Gross Value Added ...... 25 In

ic Jobs in Warwickshire 29 Inward Investment . . 32 om Business Viability 34

Econ Business Location . . 38 Housing Affordability 40 Tourism ...... 42 Community Priorities ...... 46 Community Wellbeing . . 48 Social Participation . . 50 Happiness . .. . 52

Healthy Living . . 54 rs Smoking Cessation . . 56 to Substance Misuse . . 60 dica Perception of Anti-Social Behaviour . . 64 In Youth Offending ...... 66 al al ci Fear of Crime . . 69

So Recorded Crime 71 Satisfaction with Health Services . . 73 Life Expectancy 76 Mortality Rates 78 Years of Life Lost 80

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 158 Indicator Trend Compared Compared Page over with with time national Warwickshire average average

to Recycling & Composting . . 109

ca Road Traffic Volume & Congestion ...... 112 di Road Casualties ...... 115 In t t Cycling ...... 118 en Travel to School . . 120 nm Bus Journeys ...... 122 ro

vi Bus Service Satisfaction . . 124

En Rights of Way ...... 126 Parks & Green Spaces ...... 129 Carbon Emissions ...... 131 Water Consumption ...... 136 Water Quality 138 s s l

ce Sites of Special Scientific Interest ...... 141 ra ur

tu Land Use 143 so

Na Local Nature Reserves 146

Re Biodiversity ...... 148 Ecological Footprints ...... 150

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 159 District Summaries – Stratford-on-Avon District

Key

Good performance Moderate performance Poor performance . . Information not available or not applicable at District level

Indicator Trend Compared Compared Page over with with time national Warwickshire average average

Unemployment 10 Employment 16 Skills . . 18 rs

to Earnings 20 ca Benefit Claimants 22 di Gross Value Added ...... 25 In

ic Jobs in Warwickshire 29 Inward Investment . . 32 om Business Viability 34

Econ Business Location . . 38 Housing Affordability 40 Tourism ...... 42 Community Priorities ...... 46 Community Wellbeing . . 48 Social Participation . . 50 Happiness . .. . 52

Healthy Living . . 54 rs Smoking Cessation . . 56 to Substance Misuse . . 60 dica Perception of Anti-Social Behaviour . . 64 In Youth Offending ...... 66 al al ci Fear of Crime . . 69

So Recorded Crime 71 Satisfaction with Health Services . . 73 Life Expectancy 76 Mortality Rates 78 Years of Life Lost 80

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 160 Indicator Trend Compared Compared Page over with with time national Warwickshire average average

to Recycling & Composting . . 109

ca Road Traffic Volume & Congestion ...... 112 di Road Casualties ...... 115 In t t Cycling ...... 118 en Travel to School . . 120 nm Bus Journeys ...... 122 ro

vi Bus Service Satisfaction . . 124

En Rights of Way ...... 126 Parks & Green Spaces ...... 129 Carbon Emissions ...... 132 Water Consumption ...... 136 Water Quality 138 s s l

ce Sites of Special Scientific Interest ...... 141 ra ur

tu Land Use 143 so

Na Local Nature Reserves 146

Re Biodiversity ...... 148 Ecological Footprints ...... 150

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 161 District Summaries – Warwick District

Key

Good performance Moderate performance Poor performance . . Information not available or not applicable at District level

Indicator Trend Compared Compared Page over with with time national Warwickshire average average

Unemployment 10 Employment 16 Skills . . 18 rs

to Earnings 20 ca Benefit Claimants 22 di Gross Value Added ...... 25 In

ic Jobs in Warwickshire 29 Inward Investment . . 32 om Business Viability 34

Econ Business Location . . 38 Housing Affordability 40 Tourism ...... 42 Community Priorities ...... 46 Community Wellbeing . . 48 Social Participation . . 50 Happiness . .. . 52

Healthy Living . . 54 rs Smoking Cessation . . 56 to Substance Misuse . . 60 dica Perception of Anti-Social Behaviour . . 64 In Youth Offending ...... 66 al al ci Fear of Crime . . 69

So Recorded Crime 71 Satisfaction with Health Services . . 73 Life Expectancy 76 Mortality Rates 78 Years of Life Lost 80

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 162 Indicator Trend Compared Compared Page over with with time national Warwickshire average average

to Recycling & Composting . . 109

ca Road Traffic Volume & Congestion ...... 112 di Road Casualties ...... 115 In t t Cycling ...... 118 en Travel to School . . 120 nm Bus Journeys ...... 122 ro

vi Bus Service Satisfaction . . 124

En Rights of Way ...... 126 Parks & Green Spaces ...... 129 Carbon Emissions ...... 132 Water Consumption ...... 136 Water Quality 138 s s l

ce Sites of Special Scientific Interest ...... 141 ra ur

tu Land Use 143 so

Na Local Nature Reserves 146

Re Biodiversity ...... 148 Ecological Footprints ...... 150

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 163 Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 176 Appendix A

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 177 Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 166 Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 167 Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 168 Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 169

Appendix B

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 172 Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 173 Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006 174 Produced by the Warwickshire Observatory, Warwickshire Country Council

If you find this document difficult to read, we can provide the text in a format better suited to your needs. Please telephone 01926 418633

Publication Date : November 2006 Dept : Environment & Economy Contact : The Warwickshire Observatory TelephoneWarwickshire : County 01926 418645 Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2006