Warley South Neighbourhood

Neighbourhood Profile

28.1 The Warley South Neighbourhood is located in the Old Warley Ward of MBC (see Map at 11). The Neighbourhood is bounded by the Hagley Road and to the south, by Warley Woods and part of Bearwood to the east, Brandhall Neighbourhood to the west and by Bristnall in to the north. The Neighbourhood is divided into two distinct parts by the Wolverhampton Road – A 4123 that runs from the Hagley Road through the neighbourhood and on towards Oldbury.

28.2 The census data from 2001 identifies that Warley South has a population 6219 – this shows an increase of 117 people since the 1991 census. 86.9% (5321) people are white. Of the remaining 13.1% the largest population groups are identified as Indian (7.9%) with 2.2% Caribbean and 1.6% mixed race.

28.3 The population is split 52.5:47.5% female to male. There are 1650 people aged 0-24 living in the neighbourhood – that is 32.2%. There is a higher that average number of young people living in the neighbourhood. There are 1564 people aged 60 and over – that is 21.1%. Again this is above the borough average. 2001 Census data and neighbourhood profile attached at Appendix 12.

Transforming the Urban form

28.4 There are 2566 households in the neighbourhood, 2130 (83%) are in owner-occupation. This is 20% higher than the Sandwell average of 60.3%. 242 (9.5%) are without central heating. 224 properties (8.7%) are rented from the local authority – Sandwell average is 26.6%. The other properties are rented from other sources Housing Associations etc. 28.4% of households are one-person households. 1184 (46.1%) are occupied by couples the remainder 204 are lone parent households (with or without dependant children) – or all other households (450).

28.5 Because of its position, surrounded/divided by main roads there are a number of shops – including fast food outlets in the neighbourhood. These, whilst making some services more readily available to residents do cause other problems such as litter, noise, anti-social behaviour, parked cars etc. Most of these shops are along the Hagley Road; especially in and around its junction with Wood Green Road. There is also a restaurant/hotel and another restaurant at the junction of the Hagley Road and Wolverhampton Road. These are located in the neighbourhood. There are also a number of shops on Perryhill Road, Stanley Road and Pottery Road – all located at junctions with other roads. For all that there are a lot of shops serving the area it is predominantly residential – however, it does mean that 72.6% of the population are within 400m of a Post Office (Sandwell average is 45.6%). There is also a PDSA clinic on the Hagley Road at its junction with Stanley Road.

Creating a Safer Sandwell

28.6 The Community Safety Team based at Sandwell Council House has produced a crime audit for Warley South (Appendix 13). Overall recorded crime in Warley South has reduced over both 1 and 5 year periods. Recorded offences of Domestic Burglary ( Burglary Dwellings) have also shown a reduction over the same periods with greater reductions evident than both the Sandwell and Oldbury Town averages. Offences of Burglary Other Buildings have also shown a reduction over 1 and 5 year periods, with substantial reduction in the last year and year before that. The last full years recorded figures are now below what they were 5 years ago.

28.7 Thefts of Motor Vehicles have also shown considerable reductions over 1 and 5 year periods in line with Sandwell and Oldbury town area. Over a 5 year period Thefts from Vehicles have also shown a substantial decrease. However over a 1 year period there has been a slight increase for this offence category but even then the numbers of offences are considerably below previous years figures. When the data for Thefts of and Thefts From vehicles are combined it shows a reduction over both 1 and 5 year periods.

28.8 Recorded Robbery offences have also shown a substantial decrease over 1 and 5 year periods. Whilst Criminal Damage offences have also shown a reduction over the same period.

28.9 Violence offences show a larger than average increase over 5 years but a greater than average reduction over 1 year. Disorder related incidents follow a similar pattern.

28.10 Overall there have been considerable reductions in all key crime categories. It is necessary to maintain those reductions particularly in the high profile categories of Burglary and Vehicle Crime. Violence, Disorder and Criminal Damage, which can be used as indicators of Anti Social Behaviour should also be monitored closely.

28.11 Oldbury Fire Station personnel will continue to work in partnership to identify vulnerable people and ensure that they are offered a full domestic fire risk assessment and link them to the smoke alarm fitting programme.

28.12 Oldbury Town Team will also work with the Police, Warm Zone (for the rest of its life) and Fire Service to secure additional funding in order that all household receive a home safety/security pack.

Improving Health and Conditions for Good Health

28.13 The 2001 census indicates that 1183 residents (19.3%) consider themselves to have a limiting long-term illness. A further 9.4% (578) feel their general health is “not good.” Both of these figures are slightly below the Sandwell average. A ‘Health Assessment Centre’ is available at Warley Health and fitness centre, Abbey Road. This has open access to everyone and offers basic health checks resulting in personal exercise and healthy living plans. A number of residents expressed concerns about not being able to access local GPs lists and about delays in getting appointments. Oldbury and Smethwick PCT have started a scheme called advanced access. This aims to reduce waiting times and offer other ways of obtaining health care. If there are problems accessing a GP then patients should contact Kingston House to be allocated.

28.14There is a GP surgery on the Hagley Road, the Holly Bush Medical Centre, there is also a surgery on Norman Road. The Pound Close surgery relocated to Brandhall. This is now called the Warley Medical Centre, Ambrose House, Kinsway. Thre is a chemist on site at the Medical Centre. There is a chemist located on the Hagley Road. A public gym at Pottery Road island and the Pottery Road Counselling Service.

Revitalise Sandwell’s Economy

28.15 2741 Warley South residents aged 16-74 (62.8%) are employed, there are 3.1% (135) people unemployed with 51 (1.2%) long term. There is higher employment and lower unemployment when compared to the borough figures. Of the people in employment 66.4% (1866) travel to work by car with 18.0% (505) using public transport. 24.7% of households are without a car/van – this is lower that the Borough average of 37.5%. Local people are concerned about the lack of accessible training/learning opportunities – internet access was also requested along with increased adult education opportunities.

Promoting Lifelong Learning

28.16 There are 802 children of school age currently registered at local schools. The main destination of pupils is Perryfields High (189). 151 pupils attend Lightwoods Primary School, 66 attend St. Huberts RC, 46 attend Brandhall Primary School, 45 attend Bristnall Hall High School, with 39 at Bleakhouse, 37 at Warley High, between 11 and 34 pupils attend 7 other schools. Small number of pupils attend 29 other schools in Sandwell. These figures are supplied by Education and Lifelong Learning extracted from schools PLASC returns for January 2003. Lightwoods and St Huberts RC schools are located within the neighbourhood. Attainment data relating to these schools is at appendix 14.

28.17 Local people are concerned about parking and road safety issues around schools and the health risks to children of telephone masts.

28.18 Key stage 2 and 4 results for these schools is attached as appendix 15.

28.19 The neighbourhood is served by 2 libraries – Brandhall Library on Tame Road and Bleakhouse. Bleakhouse Library in Bleakhouse Road is the 5th busiest Sandwell Library. It has 13 public use computers, 9 situated in a learning entre, 3 in the children’s library and one stand alone. Computer courses are held in the library. It is open every day except Wednesdays and has two late night openings until 7pm. Classes visit from Warley Infants and St. Hubert’s Primary School on a regular basis. Local people would like to see the library service enhanced with extended opening hours.

28.20 The 2001 Census records 1507 (34.5%) of people from the neighbourhood with no qualifications and 695 (15.9%) of people qualified to degree level or higher. These are “better” average than the borough averages of 45.6% and 9.7% respectively. There are some evening classes at Perryfields High School, but other than these there is little access to learning opportunities for adults.

Services for Children and Young People

28.21 SNIP (the Sandwell Neighbourhood Intelligence Project) has produced a profile of young people in Warley South. This is attached as appendix 16, it relies on 1991 Census data and is soon to be updated.

28.22 There are Early Steps supported parents and toddler groups held at St Huberts Community R C Church at Bleakhouse Road, Oldbury on Monday at 9.30 to 11.00 am and Wednesday 9.30 to 11.00 am. Local people want accessible affordable nursery provision.

28.23 There are no organised activities/facilities for young people. The neighbourhood has access to Warley Woods and Park. Lightwoods Park between Warley Woods and Bearwood is regularly used by young people from the area for football and other outdoor activities. The nearest Sandwell MBC operated youth provision is at Bristnall Hall High School.

28.24 There is a scouts/guides service available at St. Hilda’s.

Clean and Safe Streets and Parks

28.25 There is no public open space/park in the neighbourhood but as previously mentioned Warley Woods is to the east of the neighbourhood. This means that 93.5% of the population reside within 400m of public open space. To the west and further along the Wolverhampton Road is the Golf Course at Brandhall. The most significant issues coming out of the public consultation exercise related to clean and safe streets. The most significant issues coming out of the public consultation exercise related to clean and safe streets. With litter hot spots, fly-tipping venues, graffiti and areas of vandalism being identified. Also relating to streets there were a number of concerns relating to parking, speeding, difficulties crossing, poor quality road/pavement surfaces and traffic problems associated with the shopping areas of Hagley Road West and roads leading to it/feeding traffic onto the main road. A further issue that people identified and attributed to the food outlets in the area is litter and food waste which has resulted in a problem with rats.

Social Capital

28.26 The two main facilities for groups to meet and activities to take place at are the two schools at St. Huberts RC and Lightwoods. There is also a church hall at St. Huberts.

The Local Action Planning Process

28.27 Oldbury Town team gathered information from service providers during December 2003. We then carried out an action planning session at the Scout Hut on Perryfields road on 9th February 2004 and at St. Huberts RC School on 12 February. Over 30 people attended each of these sessions. This action plan was developed using the information gathered from these sessions, from walking the area delivering leaflets for the meeting and from telephone calls from residents on receipt of the leaflets.

29. Warley South – Key Findings and Action Plan

Issues

29.1 The issues relating to Warley South that have emerged through the action planning are:-

• Creating a Safer Sandwell

Warley South residents are worried about anti-social behaviour, unsocial drinking, drugs and crime in general. They identified a number of ‘hot spots’ for action.

• Promoting Lifelong Learning

Local people would like to see schools opened up for use outside of school term time and the school day; they want to access training opportunities/ the internet in community venues and would like more adult education opportunities.

• Creating Clean and Safer Streets and Parks

Road Safety and cleanliness is high on the agenda in Warley South. You are especially concerned about parking, speeding and the state of the roads/pavements. Litter, fly- tipping, vandalism and graffiti are also important to you, especially the problems around the fast food out-lets on the Hagley Road West.

• Improve Health and Conditions for Good Health

You are especially concerned about the effects upon your health and the health of your children at local schools as a result of telephone masts currently (and planned) in the area. Concerns were also expressed about the lack of GPs and other health services in the area and waiting times for these services.

• Transforming the Urban Form

As well as the condition of roads you are concerned about the lack of maintenance to some Council houses in the area.

• Services for Children and Young People

Young people congregate in lots of places in Warley South – especially around the shops. You would like to see more facilities/services for them – especially out of school time and in the summer holiday.

• Revitalise Sandwell’s Economy

You would like to see more apprenticeships available in traditional skill areas.