research nk The State of the District North Kesteven August 2014 1 This document is available in large print, Braille, audio tape, electronic formats such as CD, or in a different language. Our website is ReadSpeaker enabled. For a copy please contact the Corporate Information Team at the Council using the following options: Phone: 01529 414155 (main switchboard) or 01522 699699 (if calling from a Lincoln number) Minicom: 01529 308088 Fax: 01529 413956 Web: www.n-kesteven.gov.uk Email: [email protected] Corporate Information Team North Kesteven District Council Kesteven Street Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 7EF 2 LIST OF CONTENTS Page Number Introduction and An O verview 5 Our Economy: 6 Business and Enterprise 6 Prosperity and Wealth 6 Labour Market 7 Skills and Qualifications 7 Economic Performance 8 Industrial Structure 9 Our Homes: 10 Housing 10 Our Communities: 11 Population 11 Ethnicity and Nationality 12 Religion and Belief 12 Disability 12 Health and Wellbeing 13 Crime Levels 14 Inequality and Deprivation 15 Transport and Connectivity 16 Natural Environment 16 Appendix 1 17 Bibliography 21 3 Introduction This report provides an overview of the characteristics of North Kesteven. It examines the current performance of the District using key social, economic and environmental indicators. These have been classified according to the Council’s Corporate Priorities – Our Economy, Our Homes and Our Communities. The information can be used to help us more effectively meet the needs of our communities through setting out the District’s strengths as well as the issues and challenges that face us. An Overview North Kesteven is in the East Midlands, situated just over 100 miles north of London. It is located east of Nottingham and south of Lincoln. North Kesteven is one of seven districts in Lincolnshire and is in the centre of the County. It covers an area of 356 square miles or 92,000 hectares, of which 95% is classified as green space, which includes agricultural land and open space (NLUD and LCC, 2008). The principal sectors of the economy include food and agriculture, engineering, tourism and construction. The emergent engineering sector has potential to grow, with a focus on engines and turbines, and sector specialisms related to medical, precision and optical equipment, and electrical machinery (NK: An Economic Prospectus, 2013). The District is characterised by small settlements and large areas of arable farmland. More than 64% of the population live in rural settlements, including settlements or villages or market towns (DEFRA, 2009). North Kesteven also has a relatively underdeveloped transport infrastructure. As a result, local communities have historically been self-reliant, with parish and town councils providing services, such as playing fields or play areas, which are frequently provided by district councils elsewhere. The market town of Sleaford has the potential for growth, with significant private sector investment related to renewable energy, retailing, employment, and heritage led regeneration (Sleaford Masterplan 2011), whilst North Hykeham offers significant employment and economic development opportunities as a key part of the business district for Greater Lincoln. 4 Key Facts North Kesteven Our District 1st place for the top safest District in the country, with very low crime levels 19th best place to live Low rates of deprivation, and ranked 270 out of 326 local authorities in the deprivation index Our Economy High employment rate with 82% of residents economically active 71% of those employed, work full time Average income in North Kesteven is £23,906 Residents are very high qualified, ranking in the top 25% of districts 4,015 businesses in the District, of which 90% are micro enterprises (less than 9 employees) Ranked in the top 25% of districts for businesses surviving longer than two years Growth in visitor numbers to 2.6 million a year Our Homes 75% of households own their home Average house price in North Kesteven is £167,098 House prices have risen by 0.4% in the last year 263 new homes delivered, with £46 million investment programme in new council housing Our Communities 100 flourishing communities with a population of 109,906 people 64% of the population live in rural areas Population has increased by 15% since 2001, and predicted to increase further by 2025 Largest increase has occurred in the 45-49 age group, with significantly increases also in the 60-64 and 65- 74 age groups Life expectancy is increasing at 79.5 years for males and 83.5 years for females 96% of residents are White British 82% of people view their health as ‘very good’ or ‘good’ 19% of the population have a disability or long-term illness and 11% of residents provide un-paid care. 5 Our Economy Business and Enterprise A dynamic local enterprise culture is vital for the long-term competitiveness and overall success of any local economy. This profile assesses the extent of an enterprise culture in North Kesteven. North Kesteven’s overall business and enterprise score is ranked as above average when compared to other districts in England, indicating a performing enterprise culture. This measure is calculated by the new business formation rate, the business survival rate and the growth in business stock over the last five years. The new business start-up rate is ranked at 10.67% of all business registering for VAT compared to the Great Britain average of 11.72%. In addition, North Kesteven ranks in the top 25% of English districts for businesses surviving longer than two years (Local Futures). In terms of business counts, there is a higher percentage of micro enterprises (0-9) in North Kesteven (90%) compared to the Great Britain average of 88.2%. Smaller enterprises (10-49) are slightly below the Great Britain average (8.2% compared to 9.7%), as are medium enterprises (50- 249) (1.5% compared to 1.7%). In addition, large enterprises (250+) are also slightly below the average at 0.2% compared to the Great Britain average of 0.4% (ONS, 2013). Prosperity and Wealth The average income in North Kesteven is £23,906, which is less than the Great Britain average of £26,941. However, the average income in the District can be indexed to the Great Britain average to form a prosperity score which is relative to the national trend (Local Futures). Other measures of wealth include the average number of rooms per household and car ownership. The average number of rooms per household in North Kesteven is high at 6.1, which ranks the District in the top 40% of districts in England (ONS, 2011 5). In addition, the Census 2011 shows that nearly half of all households (45%) have 1 vehicle; a third (33%) have 2 vehicles; 7% have 3 vehicles; 2% have 4 vehicles or more, whilst 13% of households have no vehicle (ONS, 2011 5). 6 Labour Market In 2000, the EU Lisbon Strategy set an employment rate target of 70% by 2010. Since then, the recession has had a major impact on the labour market. This profile uses the employment rate as an overall measure of labour market performance in North Kesteven, but also presents a range of other measures, such as unemployment and incapacity benefit claimants to provide a fuller analysis of labour market conditions. With 82% of its population economically active, North Kesteven has a high employment rate when compared to other districts in England. Only 1.3% of residents are claiming job seekers allowance or national insurance credits compared 2.4% in England and 2.3% in the East Midlands. A lower than average proportion of this group have been claiming for 12 months or more (0.3%) compared to 0.7% as the England average and 0.7% in the East Midlands (ONS, 2014). Proportionally, less people in North Kesteven claim incapacity benefits (4.1%) than most other districts in the East Midlands (5.7%) and Great Britain (6.2%). In North Kesteven, 19% of the population have a disability or limiting long-standing illness (ONS, 2011 3). Health problems have an impact on how many people are available to the District economy but also on what work they can do and what hours they can work. It is also important to remember that health problems do not only affect the individual directly, but also have secondary effects on carers’ ability to be economically active. 12,193 (11.3%) District residents provide unpaid care. When these statistics have been broken down further, 7% provide 1 to 19 hours; 14% provide 20 to 49 hours; and 3% provide 50 or more hours unpaid care a week (ONS, 2011 3). Skills and Qualifications Human capital is the prerequisite of a successful economy. The resident workforce should ideally have a good blend of academic and vocational skills. In this overall assessment of skills and qualifications of North Kesteven residents, a composite measure is used that is based on each of the four NVQ levels, with greater weighting attached to the higher levels. North Kesteven residents are very highly qualified when compared to other Districts in England and rank within the top 25% of district authorities (ONS, 2011 3). In addition, GCSE pass rates are a precursor to the future potential workforce and a measure of the quality of local schools. The percentage of Key Stage 4 pupils who have achieved 5 A*-C including English and Maths are higher in North Kesteven at 65.9% than the England average at 58.4%. 7 Economic Performance Strong economic foundations are critical to the future success of an area, creating quality employment opportunities for local people. This profile measures the productivity, scale and growth of the economy in North Kesteven.