A Profile of Brandon Compiled by Corah Carney Keystone Development Trust March 2004 A Profile of Brandon INDEX Section Page(s) Index 1 Executive Summary - Brandon………………………………………… 2 - 3 Section 1 – Demographics of the Brandon Area…………………….. 4 - 14 Section 2 – Indices of Deprivation…………………………………….. 15 - 24 Section 3 – Health………………………………………………………. 25 - 45 Section 4 – Employment……………………………………………….. 46 - 56 Section 5 – Education & Training……………………………………... 57 - 63 Section 6 – Housing……………………………………………………. 64 - 72 Section 7 – Crime & Disorder………………………………………….. 73 - 78 Section 8 – The Brandon Community……………………………….... 79 - 86 Section 9 – The Brandon Environment……………………………….. 87 - 98 Section 10 – Keystone’s Culture & Heritage…………………………. 99 - 103 Bibliography……………………………………………………………… 105 Glossary…………………………………………………………………... 106 - 107 Acknowledgements……………………………………………………… 108 Page 1 A Profile of Brandon Executive Summary Brandon The market town of Brandon is set on the border of Norfolk and Suffolk. The town serves the rural hinterland of both Forest Heath and Breckland, some of which is classed as a rural priority area. Brandon was traditionally known as the crossroads where the routes between the ancient settlements of Kings Lynn, Bury St Edmunds, Swaffham and Newmarket converge. This enviable geographical position, once the source of wealth, employment and importance is today seen as one of the reasons for Brandon’s decline and loss of direction. Brandon today, like any other town, has its issues, some of which are unique: Brandon has a higher than average population of people aged 60 yrs or over and is somewhat regarded as a retirement destination. 64% of residents in a recent survey live in bungalows. It has a higher than average percentage of households consisting of one pensioner living alone. Because of the elderly population, there is a higher number of deaths than average per 1,000 residents. The majority of people who are disadvantaged through poor health feel that their needs are not adequately catered for. Educational attainment is below average. 40% of children who attended Methwold High School obtained 5 ‘GCSE’ passes in 2003 compared to the Suffolk average of 57% and the average point score at A Level is also below the Suffolk and national average. Only 10% in Brandon East achieved a level 4/5 qualification (first degree of above) compared to 20% nationally. 37% of people aged 16-74 yrs have no qualifications at all compared to the national average of 29%. Brandon is in the top quintile of most deprived wards in Suffolk for housing deprivation. Rental from private landlords or letting agencies is high, probably due to the high number of transient military personnel who live in these areas. Unemployment is less than the national average but the skills base is low. Almost double the national average are employed in public administration or public defence posts due to the large USAF military airbases nearby. The airbases employ a large number of the population both directly and indirectly and any removal of the airbases would impact significantly upon Brandon’s economy. There is concern about the town centre with empty shops and vandalism. In a survey undertaken in 1999, 44% of residents considered that their quality of life is worse than 10 years ago. There was a higher level of domestic violence recorded than in other areas of Suffolk and burglary Page 2 A Profile of Brandon rates are higher than average in Brandon. Fear of crime is high especially around the Warren Close estate and Market Hill. A significant amount of racial harassment has been reported, especially against the polish community There is concern by residents for the environment especially the pollution from traffic and noise pollution from low flying aircraft. Brandon’s environment however, is to be envied. It is surrounded by many acres of unspoilt forest and clay and chalk downlands. The environment is a major attraction and is considered locally to be the most important feature of the area. Page 3 A Profile of Brandon Demographics Of The Brandon Area Page 4 A Profile of Brandon Section 1 – Contents Demographics of the Brandon Area Page(s) The Brandon Geographical Area…………………………………………………. 6 The Brandon Parishes……………………………………………………………... 7 Population…………………………………………………………………………… 7 Population Growth………………………………………………………………….. 8 Age Profile…………………………………………………………………………… 9 Place of Birth………………………………………………………………………... 10 Approximated Social Grade……………………………………………………….. 11 Religion………………………………………………………………………………. 12 Households Consisting of Lone Parents With Dependent Children…………... 13 Households Consisting of Pensioners Living Alone……………………………. 14 Page 5 A Profile of Brandon The Brandon Geographical Area The Brandon area is split into two wards, Brandon East and Brandon West. Brandon is served by Suffolk County Council, Forest Heath District Council and Brandon Town Council. Health services are provided by Suffolk West Primary Care Trust. Brandon East Figure 1.1 – The Brandon East Area Brandon West Figure 1.2 – The Brandon West Area Source: National Statistics website: www.statistics.gov.uk Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO Page 6 A Profile of Brandon The Brandon Parishes The Brandon wards are made up of 2 parishes each. Table 1.1 – The Brandon Parishes Includes parishes WARD of: Brandon East Brandon East Santon Downham Brandon West Brandon West Wangford Source: Suffolk County Council Population These population figures are based on the old ward boundaries as per mid 2000. Table 1.2 – Population of Parishes (2000) AREA POPULATION Brandon East 4,810 Brandon East 4,560 Santon Downham 250 Brandon West 3,880 Brandon West 3,860 Wangford 20 TOTAL 8,690 Source: Suffolk County Council Page 7 A Profile of Brandon Population Growth Table 1.3 – Population Growth from 1991-2000 Population Population Growth AREA +/- 1991 2000 % Forest Heath 56,100 55, 510 - 1 Brandon East 4,790 4,810 + 0.4 Brandon West 3,830 3,880 + 1.2 TOTAL + 1.6 Source: Suffolk County Council In order to compare and calculate growth accurately since 1991, the population figures from mid 2000 using the old Local Authority Boundaries have been used. The population in Brandon has only grown by 1.6% in nine years from 1991- 2000. Page 8 A Profile of Brandon Age Profile Aged Less Than 16 Years Table 1.4 – Percentage of the Population who are < 16 years < 16 yrs AREA % England 17.4 East Of England 19.8 Suffolk 19.5 Forest Heath 20.5 Brandon East 17.5 Brandon West 17.6 Source: National Statistics website: www.statistics.gov.uk Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO Aged 60 years and Over Table 1.5 – Percentage of the population who are > 60 years > 60 yrs AREA % England 20.7 East Of England 21.4 Suffolk 23.6 Forest Heath 19.2 Brandon East 28.6 Brandon West 24.4 Brandon has a higher than average profile of people aged 60 and over. Page 9 A Profile of Brandon Place of Birth Residents were asked on the 2001 census to list their place of birth. Table 1.6– Place of Birth Born in UK* Born in Other Born AREA EU Country Elsewhere % % % England 91.7 1.4 6.9 East Of England 93.9 1.4 4.7 Suffolk 94.5 1.1 4.4 Forest Heath 77.9 1.6 20.5 Brandon East 87.5 1.5 11.0 Brandon West 86.3 1.2 12.5 *UK = England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales Source: National Statistics website: www.statistics.gov.uk Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO Forest Heath and the Brandon wards have a high percentage of people who were born elsewhere but this most likely represents the presence of a significant American, predominantly military, population. Page 10 A Profile of Brandon Approximated Social Grade Definition ‘Social Grade’ is a socio-economic classification used by the market research and marketing Industries, most often in the analysis of spending habits and consumer attitudes. Although it is not possible to allocate Social Grade precisely from information collected by the 2001 Census, it provides a good approximation of Social Grade. KEY A & B – Higher and Intermediate Managerial/Administrative/Professional C1 – Supervisory, Clerical, Junior Managerial/Administrative/Professional C2 – Skilled Manual Workers, D – Semi-Skilled And Unskilled Manual Workers E – Lowest Grade Workers On State Benefit, Unemployed Table 1.7 – Approximated Social Grades SOCIO-ECONOMIC GRADES - % AREA A&B C1 C2 D E % % % % % England 22.1 29.7 15.0 17.0 16.0 East Of England 23.5 30.4 15.5 15.4 14.9 Suffolk 20.6 29.0 17.8 16.4 15.9 Forest Heath 18.5 27.8 22.1 17.6 13.7 Brandon East 12.8 29.6 20.7 18.0 18.7 Brandon West 12.2 25.1 23.0 22.0 17.4 Source: National Statistics website: www.statistics.gov.uk Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO Brandon has a lower than average percentage of social grades A&B (Professional & Higher Managerial) and a slightly higher than average percentage of social grades D and E (semi-skilled and lowest grade workers). Page 11 Brandon Community Profile Religion Residents were asked on the 2001 census to list their religion. Table 1.8 – Religion RELIGION % Other No Religion LOCAL Christian Buddhist Hindu Jewish Muslim Sikh Religions Religion Not Stated AUTHORITY Suffolk 73.9 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.06 0.2 16.6 8.2 Forest Heath 74.7 0.2 0.06 0.1 0.2 0.03 0.2 14.1 10.1 Brandon East 74.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.2 14.6 10.3 Brandon West 74.1 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.2 0.0 0.2 15.7 9.4 Source: National Statistics website: www.statistics.gov.uk Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO The majority of the Brandon residents are listed as being Christian or as having no religion.