Quality of Life in Hampshire Report
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Quality of Life in Hampshire Report Preface Hampshire is the third largest shire county in England. The expectation of peace and tranquillity conjured up by its rural image, rich wildlife and varied landscape mask many of the realities of its numerous urban and rural communities and the complex links between them. The Community Strategy for Hampshire is a long-term view of how to ensure a better quality of life for everyone, both now and in the future. In a county as big and diverse as Hampshire individuals and communities measure quality of life in different ways. To some it is access to homes and jobs for them and their children that is important; to others reducing congestion or the fear of crime is critical if their quality of life is to be improved. Sometimes even when the themes are the same, priorities for action often differ and sometimes the urge for immediate action undermines truly effective and long- term solutions. Having considered all the possible measures and explored the information available, the Partnership has decided on a number of headline themes that relate to the aims of the Community Strategy for Hampshire to represent the quality of life in Hampshire. This report is very much a prototype and is essentially a snapshot in time. The Partnership intends to develop the approach in future years: refining the themes, introducing trend data, developing the evidence, and indicating how the plans and programmes of individual members might be better aligned and integrated to achieve more beneficial outcomes. You can download a version of this report from http://www.hampshirestrategicpartnership.org.uk/pages/QualityofLife.htm Your comments Please let us have your views by completing and returning the attached questionnaire. You can also complete this on-line at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=405392844471 Quality of Life in Hampshire: Summary The Hampshire Strategic Partnership’s vision of Hampshire is of a prosperous and attractive county where economic, social and environmental needs are met in the most sustainable way and the quality of life and sense of community of present and future generations are improved. This report is the first attempt at providing a set of indicators to help demonstrate the success of the plans and programmes in place to deliver the Partnership’s vision. There is no ‘correct set’ of quality of life indicators. Selecting an appropriate set has involved a desk exercise looking at the various sets of indicators produced both locally and nationally and considering their relevance in terms of both the themes of the Hampshire Community Strategy (strong and safe communities, health and well-being, economic prosperity and life-long learning and environment, transport and infrastructure) and the concerns of local communities as expressed in various opinion polls. The indicators were chosen as representative and easy to interpret. They focus on data that will aid the partners to make decisions which help to deliver the aims of the Community Strategy and make the daily lives of residents easier. The indicators show: Strong and safe communities • The perceptions of safety during the day are markedly higher than at night time. The day time figures all exceed 90 per cent. At night the overall percentages drop significantly to between 50 per cent and 70 per cent. • In terms of actual crime, rates are well below the national average. • In every district more people volunteer help than receive help Health and well-being • Life expectancy in Hampshire is generally higher than the national average. It is always higher on average for women then men. • Mortality rates from all cancers and circulatory disease are generally lower in the predominantly rural rather then predominantly urban districts. • Teenage pregnancy rates vary across the county. The highest rate is less than half the worst nationally. Economic prosperity and lifelong learning • The proportion of residents of working age who claim Job Seekers Allowance is generally well below the national average with nine out of eleven districts close to the lowest national rate. • Average weekly earning range from amongst the highest to amongst the lowest nationally. • Property prices in Hampshire are high. The average house price/income ratio (for all properties) ranges from about eight to over ten. • Hampshire is amongst the top performing counties at both Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3, although the overall county figure masks significant variations between individual schools. Environment, infrastructure and transport • Air quality is good • River quality is generally good • Recycling rates are amongst the highest nationally but the total volumes of household waste remain high • The private car is the dominant means of getting to work. • In all but the most remote rural areas access to amenities such as banks and building societies, doctors surgeries, post offices, and supermarkets meets or is generally better than the national standard. • Over fifty per cent of residents use local libraries and other facilities. Fewer are involved with the theatre, music, arts and festivals and attendance at community centres is generally low. This report is very much a prototype and is essentially a snapshot in time. The Partnership intends to develop the approach in future years: refining the themes, introducing trend data, developing the evidence, and indicating how the plans and programmes of individual members might be better aligned and integrated to achieve more beneficial outcomes. Introduction The report is in three parts. The first provides a brief profile of Hampshire to set the context for the indicators chosen by the Partnership to reflect the quality of life in the County. The second explains each of the indicators chosen by the Partnership and, where the data are available, draws comparisons between the outcomes in Hampshire and elsewhere. The third contains some broad conclusions and an indication of how the process will be developed next year. A profile of Hampshire Hampshire is the third largest county in England in terms of population. Eighty seven percent of its 1.25 million people live in urban areas, although only ten per cent of the county is classified as urban. Within the county council area there are 11 district or borough councils and 251 parish councils. Nine tenths of Hampshire is classified as rural, with significant areas subject to international and national environmental designations, including one established (New Forest) and one proposed (South Downs) National Parks, 112 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and 3549 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs). Ninety percent of the coastline in Hampshire has international conservation designation and all bathing beaches meet European Union mandatory standards. Hampshire has slightly fewer young adults (16 to 29 year olds) and slightly more middle aged people (45 to 64 year olds) than England and Wales overall. It also has a lower proportion of population in ethnic minority groups (2.2 per cent) compared either with the South East Region (4.9 per cent) or England (9.1 per cent). Population growth between 2001, the year of the last national census, and 2026 is projected to be about 8.5per cent, an increase of approximately 104,600 people. However, the change is not uniform across all age groups. There is increasing concern nationally, as well as in Hampshire, about the impending growth in the number of pensioners whilst the population of working age declines. The economic and social consequences of these changes will become more acute over the next two decades. In 2001 in Hampshire there were nearly four people of working age for every pensioner. By 2016 this is projected to fall to three and then drop even further by 2026. Quality of Life Indicators The Partnership’s vision of Hampshire is of a prosperous and attractive county where economic, social and environmental needs are met in the most sustainable way and the quality of life and sense of community of present and future generations are improved. There is no ‘correct’ set of indicators to measure success. What is important is evidence to provide a picture of the changing character of the local community to help demonstrate the success of plans and strategies in dealing with the issues identified in the community strategy. They need to be clear, understandable and measurable and provide the basis not only for measuring success of the Hampshire Community Strategy but also a framework within which local (district) strategic partnerships can nest their own set of indicators Selecting the indicators has involved a desk exercise looking at the various sets of indicators produced both locally and nationally and considering their relevance in terms of both the themes of the Hampshire Community Strategy (strong and safe communities, health and well-being, economic prosperity and life-long learning and environment, transport and infrastructure) and the concerns of local communities as expressed in various opinion polls. This exercise involved considering the recommendations on possible indicators from the Audit Commission, the British Academy and the (then) Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. There was also a reflection on the discussion that took place during the evolution of the Local Area Agreement. The indicators were chosen as representative and easy to interpret. They focus on data that will aid the partners to make decisions which help to deliver the aims of the Community Strategy and make the daily lives