Central Bedfordshire Prospectus June 2012 “Realising the area’s economic potential to be globally connected, deliver sustainable growth, ensuring a green, prosperous and ambitious place for the benefit of all” Contents of Prospectus Page No Glossary of Terms 3 Introduction 4 Key Attributes 6 Map of Central Bedfordshire 7 Population & Demographics 8 Housing 11 Deprivation 12 Economy 14 Children & Young People 16 Stronger & Safer Communities 17 Community Safety Partnership 21 Community Safety Delivery 23 Structure of the Community Safety Partnership 25 AppendixA 26 2 Acronym Description ASB Anti-Social Behaviour ASBRAC ASB Risk Assessment Conference BBC Bedford Borough Council BDAAT Bedfordshire Drugs and Alcohol Action Team CBC Central Bedfordshire Council CBT Central Bedfordshire Together, the name for the Local Strategic Partnership in Central Bedfordshire CSP CommunitySafetyPartnership DCLG Department for Communities and Local Government DFE DepartmentforEducation DWP Department for Work and Pensions EU EuropeanUnion HWB Health & Wellbeing Board IDVA Independent Domestic Violence Advisor IOM IntegratedOffenderManagement JSA Job Seekers Allowance JSNA Joint Strategic Needs Assessment LBC Luton Borough Council LSCB Local Safeguarding Children’s Board LSOAs LowerSuperOutputAreas MARAC Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference MINI Mental Illness Index MYE Mid Year Estimate NEET Not in Education, Employment or Training ONS Office for National Statistics SARAC Sexual Abuse Risk Assessment Conference 3 Introduction Central Bedfordshire Prospectus This prospectus has been developed by Central Bedfordshire Together, which is the name for our local strategic partnership (CBT). CBT comprises senior representatives from the Council, Police, Fire, Health, Education, Business, Town and Parish Councils and the Voluntary and Community Sector. This prospectus is intended to raise understanding and awareness for anyone standing as a candidate for the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner. Central Bedfordshire – Our Vision Our Vision - “Realising the area’s economic potential to be globally connected, deliver sustainable growth, ensuring a green, prosperous and ambitious place for the benefit of all” Our vision for Central Bedfordshire is one of greater economic prosperity based on sustainable growth. We need to ensure that Central Bedfordshire fulfils its economic potential, and that there are more local jobs for local people. We will experience considerable population growth over the next 20 years and we need to make sure that we have the houses and facilities needed to support this growth, so that Central Bedfordshire remains a desirable place. Importantly, our vision reflects the views of local people, communities and stakeholders and responds to their aspirations for Central Bedfordshire. There are two key themes to delivering this vision: Creating the conditions for economic success & community prosperity Raising standards and tackling inequalities We know that the only way we can achieve our vision is by ensuring that we continue to listen and respond to what our residents, businesses and communities are telling us. It is only by all of us working together that we can shape Central Bedfordshire to be the place we want it to be, both now and in the future Town & Parish Councils The Localism Act 2011 and the Open Public Services White Paper supports a national drive to shift power away from central government to local government, communities and individuals. This is highlighted through the adopted Community Engagement Strategy, with a key principle “enhancing the role of town and parish councils”. Current effective partnership working with the town and parish councils will grow and develop over the next few years (see appendix A for further details). 4 Central Bedfordshire Sustainable Community Strategy Priorities Maximising employment opportunities and delivering housing growth to meet the needs of our communities Ensuring our local people have the skills to prosper Keeping our communities safe Nurturing a sense of pride and belonging Getting around and caring for a green and clean environment Promoting health and reducing health inequalities Educating, protecting and providing opportunities for children and young people Supporting and caring for an ageing population and those who are most vulnerable CBT Priorities for 2011 – 2013 Jobs growth including infrastructure developments, skills, apprenticeships, and youth unemployment Anti social behaviour including violence against the person and those who are repeat victims of violence Child poverty improving the life chances of our young people Facilitating and enabling communities to do more for themselves Links to Related Documents Bedfordshire Police Authority’s Police and Crime Commissioner Prospectus http://www.bedfordshirepoliceauthority.co.uk/PCC-&-Police-Reform.html Central Bedfordshire’s Sustainable Community Strategy 2010 – 2031 http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/strategies-and- policies/default.aspx Central Bedfordshire’s Community Engagement Strategy 2010 – 2013 http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/strategies-and- policies/default.aspx Central Bedfordshire Community Safety Partnership Plan 2012 – 2013 http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/community- safety/partnership-community-safety.aspx Central Bedfordshire’s Economic Development Plan http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/local-business/business-information-and- advice/local-economic-information-policy.aspx Central Bedfordshire’s Delivery of services by Town & Parish Councils (draft framework) http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/local-government-in- central-bedfordshire/town-parish-councils.aspx 5 Key Attributes & Projects Home to world leading eduction institutes such as Cranfield University Above average new business survival rates Over 140 languages spoken, and a highly skilled workforce Vibrant and engaged Voluntary and Community Sector 28,750 new homes planned for Central Bedfordshire by 2031 Investment in the East West rail route from Bedford to Oxford will provide a new rail route through Central Bedfordshire A range of excellent leisure & cultural facilities generating an average of £465 million visitors spend1 – iconic attractions including Woburn Safari Park, Whipsnade Zoo and Dunstable Downs Vast areas of green such as Greensands Ridge which provide space for reflection and outdoor pursuits High quality rural and village homes close to main employment sites M1 motorway development at Toddington which will increase the transport capacity of the area Center Parcs at Woburn Forest, which opens in the spring 2014 Guided Busway being developed between Luton and Dunstable due to be completed 2012 and open in 2013 ` 1 Source = Business Ambassador Prospectus 6 Central Bedfordshire Wards 1. Houghton Hall 8. Dunstable - Watling 2. Tithe Farm 9. Linslade 3. Parkside 10. Leighton Buzzard North 4. Dunstable - Northfields 11. Leighton Buzzard South 5. Dunstable - Central 12. Biggleswade North 6. Dunstable - Icknield 13. Biggleswade South 7. Dunstable - Manshead 14. Stotfold and Langford Sandy Potton 12 Northill 13 Cranfield & Houghton Conquest Marston Moretaine & Haynes Shefford Ampthill 14 Arlesey Flitwick Silsoe & Shillington Westoning, Aspley & Woburn Flitton & Greenfield Barton- le- Clay Toddington 10 Heath & Reach 2 9 3 11 1 4 6 Eaton Bray 5 7 8 Caddington © Crown Copyright and database right. 2012. Ordnance Survey 100049029. Central Bedfordshire Council. 7 Population and Demography Current population of Central Bedfordshire: 255,200 (2010). Central Bedfordshire is the 18th largest unitary council (out of 56) in England by population size2. Area of Central Bedfordshire: 716 square kilometers. Central Bedfordshire is the 11th largest unitary council in England by area3. Population density: 356 people per square kilometer (2010). Central Bedfordshire is one of the least densely populated unitary councils, and is classified as predominantly rural with just over half of the population living in rural areas4. Population of the largest towns (2010)5 Town Population Leighton-Linslade 37,410 Dunstable 35,300 Houghton Regis 16,620 Biggleswade 16,600 Flitwick 13,550 Sandy 11,700 Forecast population of Central Bedfordshire6: 292,100 in 2021 335,000 in 2031 Growth by age group7 Age range 2010 2021 % growth (mid year estimate) (forecast) 2010-2021 0-15 50,000 55,700 11.4% 16-64 166,100 181,000 9.0% 65+ 39,100 55,300 41.4% Total 255,200 292,100 14.5% Numbers may not add up to totals due to rounding 2 Source: ONS, 2009 mid year estimate. Next update: 2012 3 Source: ONS, 2001 Census 4 Source: Defra’s Rural/Urban definition, Local Authority classification based on 2001 census population figures 5 Source: BBC, CBC & LBC, Bedfordshire Population Model. Next update: 2012 6 Source: BBC, CBC & LBC, Bedfordshire Population Model 7 Sources: 2010 from ONS, Mid Year Estimates, next update: 2012; 2021 from BBC, CBC & LBC, Bedfordshire Population Model 8 Population Estimates of People Aged over 65, 2009-20218 Age Group 2009 2021 % Change 65 – 74 21,100 28,500 35.1% 75 - 84 12,400 18,500 49.2% 85+ 4,400 8,500 93.2% Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults From April – March 2012 there were a total of 1,199 Safeguarding Alerts made in Central Bedfordshire. This is an increase of 10% from 1,086 in the same time period last year Neglect and physical abuse account for the highest number of incidents during 2011-2012. The largest proportion