The research behind Penzance Futures: the community survey Introduction The Community Survey The community survey produced some very clear results about what ran from June 2006-May issues give the greatest concern to people living in the Penzance area 2007 and gathered 537 today, with health-care being of primary concern, followed by housing responses and opportunities for young people in the top three. Most people's comments stated their concerns more precisely while some offered solutions; both are summarised below. While one person commented ‘I am content as things are’ there was a general sense that the Penzance area should embrace new ideas and compete for industry if it is to be prosperous, provide opportunities and retain its young people, but that the character, culture, environment and heritage of the area must not be sacrificed. The purpose of the community survey was to extend the number of local people contributing their views to the Penzance Area MCTI process beyond those attending public meetings. The design of the survey emerged from four public events held in 2005/6 at which participants identified their aspirations for Penzance and the issues that were most important to them. The information from these events was distilled into 14 carefully worded phrases and the survey asked respondents to indicate which issues were of most importance to them. The issues were: n Jobs and wages n Culture and heritage n Education n Public transport n Participation in local decisions n Affordable housing n Opportunities for young people n Community n Sustainable energy n Character of the area n Health care n Sport and leisure n Food produced locally n Harbours and seafronts In order to ensure that respondents had the opportunity to comment freely they were also asked to answer the following questions: n What would you like to see happen in the Penzance area for your own benefit? n What would you like to see happen in the Penzance area for the good of all? n What would you like to see happen in the Penzance area for the benefit of future generations? The results of the survey have been used to inform Theme meetings. These have been set up to look in more depth at the issues and feed into the development of the MCTI Community Strategic Plan for the Penzance Area. Distribution The survey was distributed by hand to most households in Penzance South through a collaboration with congregations at St Pol de Leon church in Paul and Trinity church in Newlyn. A distribution was also made via St Mary's Church in Penzance. Penzance itself was less well covered with only 6 streets receiving hand deliveries. The survey was promoted in a press release to the Cornishman, which gave information on how the survey could be completed on the Penwith District Council website and through all voluntary and community groups in Penwith on the Interlink database. Profile of respondents The MCTI Steering Group 537 responses were received, strongly reflecting the distribution pattern addressed the lack of with 348 (65%) responses from Mousehole, Sheffield, Paul and Newlyn response from under 25s to compared to 147 (27.5%) from Penzance, Heamoor and Gulval. The our original survey and majority (320 - 60%) of those who responded had been resident in the Theme meetings by area for over 20 years with 30% ticking the ‘All my life’ box. commissioning Penwith Community Development Only 18 respondents (5.4%) were in the under-25 age category, while Trust to undertake a youth 247 (44.2%) were aged between 26-59 and 217 (40%) were aged over consultation programme 60. It is notable that the response level was particularly high in the over-75 age category (76 responses) compared to those under 25. Results: community priorities n Quality local health care services, including hospital, accident and emergency services in Penzance n Housing for all local residents that are affordable for the real average wage n Opportunities for young people, so they feel welcome, can live and work in the area, and do not have to leave n Good public transport which people are keen to use, because of its high quality n Thriving harbours and sea-front n Quality long-term jobs with decent wages n Protection of the character of the area without rejecting everything new n Develop a strong community n Increasing the supply of high-quality food produced locally n Sustainable energy produced locally, and moving towards zero waste n Education available locally and affordably in quality establishments up to university level n Respect for culture and heritage and recognition that it continues to grow and evolve n More direct participation in local decisions and government n Improved sport and leisure facilities Quality local health care services, including hospital, accident and emergency services in Penzance Importance ranking It is likely that the perceived threat to services at West Cornwall High + Very High- 505 (1st) Hospital at that time and perhaps the age profile of the respondents was Very High- 422 (1st) a considerable influence on the level of response. Low or None- 11 Respondents main concern was about a ‘genuine promise’ of retention and improvement of hospital facilities at West Cornwall Hospital. Typical comments were: ‘especially important for myself - healthcare services including hospital A&E services’ and ‘totally wrong to keep putting more and more care into Treliske- already too big, too far away.’ Concern was frequently expressed about the need for good public transport to Treliske hospital. Comments also highlighted the importance of improved dental services. A report on all the responses from the Penzance Area MCTI survey and responses from Land's End MCTI and the Marazion household survey were included in a submission to the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust (CIOSPCT). The Penzance Area MCTI Theme group meeting in December 2006 supplied evidence to the CIOSPCT Strategic Review of NHS services in January 2007. Housing for all local residents that are affordable for the real average wage Importance ranking Respondents repeatedly emphasized the relationship between low wage High + Very High- 452 (2nd) seasonal employment and the inability of local people to afford housing, Very High- 317 (2nd) with particular concerns raised about how local young people are being Low or None- 26 forced from the area because of high house prices. Comments typifying the views of many: ‘affordable housing and much higher council tax on second homes, empty most of the year’ and ‘ensure that local jobs are sustainable and wages comply with the national average, so that local people can afford to buy’. Many called for rental housing to be allocated to local people only which suggests that current housing policy (which does primarily allocate housing on the basis of local connection) is not well understood. The types of new build housing also caused comment ‘less prestigious housing developments that take up areas where normal local people could live’. Second home owners were identified as exacerbating the housing problem: ’buying our homes and turning our fishing villages into ghost towns’ commented one person. Better paid employment being taken up by people from outside the area with greater purchasing power also featured as a problem. Increased council tax and bans or limits on second homes were the most often suggested remedies, although education and training to improve the earning power of local people was also identified. A couple of comments highlighted concern about non-affordable rents for social housing ‘unfair to young families who want to work full time hours to provide for their children, but can't because the rent is so high’. The survey generally reflected high levels of local interest in ‘green’ issues and several comments related to housing were received such as ‘eco-homes at affordable prices’. Opportunities for young people, so they feel welcome, can live and work in the area, and do not have to leave Importance ranking Most of the comment related to young people was about the High + Very High- 448 (3rd) importance of providing jobs and housing, (and to a lesser extent better Very High- 278 (5th) education and training) for the growing generations so that Penzance Low or None- 20 area remains a sustainable community. Fears about young people leaving the area were repeatedly expressed. Typical comments: ‘better opportunities for work and wages that will enable young people to stay in the area’ and ‘jobs, healthcare, education, housing all need to be prioritized to stop our youngsters moving away and turning Penzance into a retirement area’, and ‘jobs bringing esteem’. Some identified a lack of preparedness for skilled employment in young people and called for ‘more youth education and training programmes for school leavers’ and ‘artisan apprentice schemes to provide more carpenters/ plumbers from our youth’. Fewer direct comments on the need for activities and facilities for young people were received but there were a number of calls for a youth club/cafe and ‘a social area for young people to meet’ and even for a space to ‘rehearse music- however loud!’ Worries about young people becoming involved in drugs and alcohol were expressed and there were a couple of comments about the need for discipline and respect. One person asked for ‘bridges built between young and old’. Good public transport which people are keen to use, because of its high quality Importance ranking The responses to the survey were weighted towards Newlyn and High + Very High- 446 (4th) Mousehole and also had a high proportion of older aged respondents Very High- 284 (3rd) and this might partly account for the high ranking of this issue. Low or None- 11 However, it is also clear that the issue is very important to people because the current public transport service and infrastructure, including the bus station, is thought to be inadequate and creating serious disadvantage for all those who do not drive, especially if they live in more rural areas.