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Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire

November 2005

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 Leicester

Atherstone

NORTH WARWICKSHIRE Nuneaton BOROUGH NUNEATON & BEDWORTH Birmingham Coleshill BOROUGH Bedworth

Coventry RUGBY BOROUGH Rugby

Kenilworth

Redditch WARWICK DISTRICT

Leamington Spa Warwick Studley

Southam Alcester

Stratford Wellesbourne

STRATFORD-ON-AVON DISTRICT

Evesham

Shipston on Stour

Banbury

Based on Ordnance Survey Mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Warwickshire County Council Licence No. LA 076880, 2005

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 Quality of Life in Warwickshire

November 2005

An assessment of the state of Warwickshire using a range of economic, social, environmental and natural resource indicators.

Contact: Spencer Payne Phone: 01926 418645 E-mail: [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 Acknowledgements

Thanks are due to all those organisations that have contributed data and commentary either directly or indirectly to this publication, including;

• Warwickshire County Council Department of Planning Transport & Economic Strategy • Warwickshire County Council Education Department • Warwickshire County Council Social Services Department • Warwickshire County Council Fire & Rescue Services • Warwickshire Police • Warwickshire Investment Partnership • South Warwickshire Primary Care Trust • Rugby Primary Care Trust • North Warwickshire Primary Care Trust • Office for National Statistics • Warwickshire Youth Offending Team • Connexions Coventry & Warwickshire • Warwickshire Drug Action Team • Swanswell Charitable Trust • North Warwickshire Borough Council • Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council • Rugby Borough Council • Stratford-on-Avon District Council • Warwick District Council • English Nature • Warwickshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre • Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs • Office of the Deputy Prime Minister • National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory • Department for Work and Pensions • Land Registry • Small Business Service • West Midlands Regional Observatory • Halifax plc • VisitBritain

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 Contents

Introduction 1

Headline Trends 2

The County in Context 5

Economic Indicators 9

Social Indicators 49

Environmental Indicators 109

Natural Resource Indicators 147

District Trends 165

Appendix A – Sources 177

Appendix B – Indicators & The County Strategic Plan 183

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 Introduction

Welcome to our sixth ‘Quality of Life in Warwickshire’ report. As in previous years, it provides an easily accessible reference of how the quality of life in Warwickshire and its Districts compares with elsewhere, and also how quality of life in the County is changing over time. The purpose of the report remains to inform policy development, monitoring and review across the County, using a wide range of indicators. Previous reports have been welcomed and used by a variety of organisations and individuals across Warwickshire who are working to improve the social, economic and environmental well being and quality of life of the area. The new ‘Strategic Plan for Warwickshire’ sets out actions being taken to improve the quality of life in the County, and this report provides those involved in this work with the information to see whether their actions are helping to achieve overall improvements. Appendix B links each of the indicators to the five themes in the ‘Strategic Plan for Warwickshire’. The indicators included in the report have also been informed by discussions with those involved in the preparation and review of Community Plans. The focus is on outcome indicators – those things that make a real difference to people’s daily lives. Importantly they include measures which reflect individuals’ own perceptions, for example their fear of crime, satisfaction with their neighbourhood as a place to live or with the County as a business location. The Audit Commission have also recently produced a set of Quality of Life indicators, which Local Authorities are being encouraged to monitor on a voluntary basis. Many of these are already included in this report, and we will be exploring how some of the additional suggested indicators could start to be monitored in the future. ‘Quality of Life in Warwickshire’ is divided into four sections – Economic, Social, Environment, and Natural Resources. For each of the individual indicators, a brief description is given, with an assessment of the local performance. Each indicator is summarised in relation to Warwickshire’s performance over time and performance in relation to other areas. ‘Quality of Life in Warwickshire’ can be accessed on the web at www.warwickshire. gov.uk/qualityoflife. It is worth noting that the website also contains a much wider range of indicators than those that have been included in this report. These are now updated on an on-going basis, with the most up-to-date data always available in the indicators on the website. If you have any comments about the report or questions about the information within it, please contact Spencer Payne or Helen Crossling in the County Council’s Research Unit by phone (01926 418644), e-mail (research@ warwickshire.gov.uk) or at the address below.

John Deegan Director of Planning, Transport and Economic Strategy Warwickshire County Council Shire Hall Warwick CV34 4SX

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 1 Headline Trends

Key Good performance Moderate performance Poor performance Information not available or not applicable at County level

Indicator Trend Warwickshire Page over compared with time elsewhere Unemployment 10 Employment Levels 16 Vacancies 18

Hours Worked 20 Earnings 23 Key Benefit Claimants 25 Gross Value Added 28 Jobs in Warwickshire 31 Employment & Commuting Trends 34 Inward Investment 38 Business Viability 40

Economic Indicators Housing Affordability 42 Affordable Housing 44 Tourism 47 Deprivation & Disadvantage 50 Social Participation 54 Community Priorities 55

Community Wellbeing 57 Fear of Crime 59 Recorded Crime 61 Disorder Incidents 63 Substance Misuse 65 Youth Offending 69

Social Indicators Pre-school Provision 72 Key Stage 2/3 Attainment 74 GCSE Results 76 Unauthorised Absence From School 77

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 2 Indicator Trend Warwickshire Page over compared with time elsewhere

School Leaver Destinations 78 Lifelong Learning 80 Satisfaction with Health Services 85 Older People Helped to Live at Home 87 Years of Life Lost 89 Life Expectancy 90 Mortality Rates 91 Teenage Pregnancy 93 Smoking Cessation 96 Social Indicators Fires – Deaths and Injuries 100 Access to Electronic Services 102 Sport and Exercise 104 Food and Drink 106 Air Quality 110 Water Quality 113 Flooding 116 ‘Streetscape’ in Market Towns 118 Bus Service Satisfaction 120 Bus Journeys 122 Road Traffic Volume & Congestion 124 Road Casualties 126 Children’s Mode of Travel to School 130 Road Condition 132 Cycling 135 Rights of Way 138 Environmental Indicators Household Waste 141 Recycling and Composting Energy Efficiency in Homes 144 Water Consumption 148 Land Use 150 Biodiversity 154 Woodland 157

Natural Local Nature Reserves 160 Resources Sites of Special Scientific Interest 162

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 3 Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 4 The County In Context

Population and Household Change

Warwickshire’s population has been growing for the past three decades; the County is now home to 61,000 more people than at the start of the 1970s. Growth has been particularly rapid in recent years – increasing by almost 18,000 between 2000 and 2003. Continued in-migration from the urban areas of Coventry and Birmingham is believed to be the key factor behind this trend.

Population growth continues to occur most rapidly in Warwick district where large housing developments such as Warwick Gates, Whitnash Allotments and several developments in Warwick West (most notably Kings Meadow) have contributed to a 2.4% growth over the period 2002-2003 (the 8th highest of all Local Authorities in England and Wales). Stratford-on-Avon also continues to receive significant levels of net-inward migration. Population change in Nuneaton & Bedworth and Rugby has been more modest while North Warwickshire’s population has remained relatively stable.

Figure 1; Population change, 1971 to 2003

2003/1971 1971 1981 1991 2001 2003 change

North Warwickshi re 58.4 60.0 61.0 61.8 61.8 7.7% Nuneaton & Bedwo rth 107.9 113.9 117.5 119.2 120.3 11.0% Rugb y 84.5 87.5 85.0 87.5 89.2 5.0% Stratford 95.6 100.7 105.4 119.2 120.3 18.3% Warwic k 111.7 115.1 118.1 126.1 132.7 14.5% WARWICKSHIRE 458.1 477.2 487.1 506.2 519.3 11.9%

Coventr y 338.3 319.4 303.9 302.8 305.0 -9.9%

WEST MIDLANDS REGIO N 5,146.0 5,186.6 5,229.7 5,280.7 5,319.9 3.0%

ENGLAND & WALE S 49,152.0 49,634.3 50,748.0 52,360.0 52,793.7 6.7%

Warwickshire’s population is also ageing – the population of the UK has aged significantly over the past 40 years and is projected to age further still over the next half century. The biggest percentage increases have been in the oldest age groups.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 5 Figure 2; Change in population by age group, 1993 to 2003

North Nuneaton & Stratford Warwickshire Rugby Warwick Warwickshire Bedworth -on-Avon

0-4 -8.5% -22.0% -16.7% -1.9% 3.4% -2.8% 5-14 5.2% 3.9% 3.2% 6.5% 9.6% 5.0% 15-29 -7.8% -20.0% -13.8% -14.3% -14.8% -7.8% 30-44 12.4% 3.6% 5.9% 15.9% 9.9% 12.4% 45-59/64* 13.1% 14.3% 12.2% 10.9% 15.2% 13.1% 60/65-74** 3.2% 6.0% 3.1% 1.0% 12.0% 3.2% 75-84 20.4% 22.2% 26.0% 15.2% 17.5% 20.4% 85+ 31.1% 42.9% 28.6% 30.8% 25.0% 31.1% ALL AGES 5.9% 0.5% 2.0% 4.6% 7.3% 5.9%

Changes in family structures combined with more single person households have meant that the rate of increase of households has significantly exceeded overall population growth. This has implications for the County in terms of future housing provision.

Figure 3; Percentage change in households and residents, 1993 to 2003

18%

Population Growth Households Growth 15%

12%

Percentage growth 1993 – 2003 3%

0% North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 6 Warwick has seen the greatest increase in the number of households, with an increase of just over 16% since 1993. Growth in the south of the County has exceeded that in the north.

Outlook

In 2004, the Office for National Statistics published a new set of long-term sub-national population projections for England and Wales. The new projections are trend-based projections, based upon the 2003 mid-year estimates. They provide an indication of expected trends in population growth for the period 2004-2028 should recent demographic trends continue into the future. Crucially, they take no account of any policy decisions, particularly relating to planning policy, which may affect population growth and change.

The population of Warwickshire is projected to increase by nearly 67,500 people by 2021, an increase of 13.0%. This increase is significantly higher than the projected increase at a regional (4.9%) and national (8.1%) level.

Figure 4; Projected population change, 2003–2021

% Change % Change % Change (thousands) 2003 2011 2021 2011/2003 2021/2011 2021/2003

North Warwickshire 62 62 63 1% 2% 2% Nuneaton & Bedworth 120 123 127 2% 3% 6% Rugby 89 94 99 5% 6% 11% Stratford 115 124 133 7% 8% 16% Warwick 133 147 164 11% 11% 23% WARWICKSHIRE 519 550 587 6% 7% 13%

West Midlands Region 5,320 5,421 5,579 2% 3% 5%

England & Wales 52,794 54,615 57,060 3% 5% 8%

Within Warwickshire, the south of the county will experience the highest rates of population growth. Growth is projected to continue to be most rapid in Warwick district with an overall increase of 23.4% by 2021 (10.9% by 2011 and a further 11.3% by 2021), bringing the total population of Warwick district to 163,700 by 2021.

Stratford-on-Avon’s population is projected to increase by 8,400 to 147,100 by 2011 (7.3% increase) and by another 9,600 between 2011-2021 (7.9% increase), bringing Stratford’s total population in 2021 to 133,400.

North Warwickshire and Nuneaton & Bedworth boroughs are projected to experience more modest levels of growth over the period 2003-2021.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 7 In North Warwickshire, Nuneaton & Bedworth and Rugby boroughs the numbers of people aged 49 and under are projected to decline by 2021 whilst the numbers of people aged 50 and over are set to increase significantly.

In South Warwickshire (Warwick and Stratford-on Avon districts) population growth is projected in nearly all age groups, with the older age groups experiencing the highest rates of growth.

Within Warwickshire overall, the age group that is projected to experience the most rapid growth are the people aged 85+, a trend that is reflected within all five districts. The number of people aged over 85 is projected to increase from 94,800 in 2003 to 125,300 in 2011 and then by a further 35,400 to 160,700 in 2021, an overall increase of 74.2%.

Ethnic Composition

The 2001 Census provided the first update to the ethnic composition of Warwickshire since the 1991 Census.

Across the County as a whole minority ethnic groups account for a larger share of the population in 2001 (4.4%) than in 1991 (3.4%). The Indian ethnic group is the next largest group after ‘White’, accounting for 2.4% of the population. The majority of people in this group live in Nuneaton & Bedworth, Rugby and Warwick.

Figure 5; Ethnicity by District, 2001 Census

North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford Warwick Warwickshir e Warwickshire Bedworth

White: British 97.2% 93.5% 91.2% 96.0% 88.2% 92.8% White: Irish 0.8% 0.7% 1.4% 0.9% 2.0% 1.2% White: Other White 0.7% 0.8% 1.4% 1.8% 2.7% 1.6% Mixed: White and Black Caribbe an 0.3% 0.3% 0.6% 0.2% 0.4% 0.3% Mixed: White and Black African 0.0% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% Mixed: White and Asian 0.1% 0.2% 0.3% 0.2% 0.4% 0.3% Mixed: Other Mixed 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% 0.1% 0.2% 0.1% Asian or Asian British: Indian 0.4% 3.3% 2.6% 0.3% 4.1% 2.4% Asian or Asian British: Pakistani 0.0% 0.2% 0.4% 0.0% 0.2% 0.2% Asian or Asian British: Bangladeshi - 0.0% - 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Asian or Asian British: Other Asian 0.1% 0.2% 0.5% 0.1% 0.3% 0.2% Black or Black British: Caribbea n 0.2% 0.2% 0.8% 0.1% 0.3% 0.3% Black or Black British: Africa n 0.0% 0.1% 0.1% 0.0% 0.1% 0.1% Black or Black British: Other Black 0.0% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Chinese or other ethnic group: Chine se 0.1% 0.1% 0.3% 0.2% 0.4% 0.2%

Chinese or other ethnic group: Other 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% 0.4% 0.2%

Further Information

Further information on the population of Warwickshire and the results of the 2001 Census are available from Ed Dunn or Vicky Porter in the Research Unit. Visit, www.warwickshire.gov.uk/research, email [email protected] or telephone 01926 412775.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 8 Economic Indicators

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 9 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

UNEMPLOYMENT

Description

The claimant count measures the number of people claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance benefit (JSA). This is different to the official measure of unemployment, based on the number of people looking for work, which is measured by the Labour Force Survey (LFS). However, claimant count figures have the advantage of being much more timely and reliable, especially at local level.

Performance

1. Claimant Count

The claimant count fell consistently throughout the mid and late nineties, both nationally and in Warwickshire. Since 2001, however, falls in the claimant count in Warwickshire have levelled off, reflecting the trend at a national level.

In May 2005, the claimant count rate (numbers of JSA claimants expressed as a percentage of the resident working age population of an area) for Warwickshire was 1.5%. Of the 14 County and Unitary Authorities in the West Midlands region only Shropshire and Herefordshire have a lower rate.

At a district level, claimant rates range from a low of 1% in Stratford-on-Avon to 2% in Nuneaton & Bedworth. The claimant count rate is below the average for England and Wales in all five Warwickshire districts.

Figure 1.1; Claimant count by gender, May 2005

Male Females Persons No . Rate % No . Rate % No . Rate % North Warwickshire 381 1.9 201 1.1 582 1.5 Nuneaton & Bedworth 1,078 2.8 394 1.1 1,472 2.0 Rugby 644 2.3 232 0.9 876 1.6 Stratford-on-Avon 518 1.4 203 0.6 721 1.0 Warwick 810 1.8 240 0.6 1,050 1.2

Warwickshire 3,431 2.0 1,270 0.8. 4,701 1.5 West Midlands 73,341 4.3 23,017 1.5 96,358 3.0 England & Wales 556,868 3.3 194,188 1.2 751,056 2.3

Note: Rates are calculated using the resident working-age population (16-64 for males; 16-59 for females) as denominators and are consistent with those published by the Office for National Statistics. Source: Claimant count, National Statistics (www.nomisweb.co.uk) © Crown Copyright 2005.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 10 The trend in the overall number of claimants has been relatively flat in the last three years. Countywide, the monthly claimant count has fluctuated between 4,100 and 5,500.

Figure 1.2; Claimant count, 2002–2005

May-02 May-03 May-04 May-05 No.Rate %No. Rate %No. Rate %N o. Rate % North Warwickshire 547 1.4 585 1.5 538 1.4 582 1.5 Nuneaton & Bedworth 1,274 1.7 1,503 2.0 1,500 2.0 1,472 2.0 Rugby 966 1.8 1,184 2.2 895 1.6 876 1.6 Stratford-on-Avon 684 1.0 710 1.0 704 1.0 721 1.0 Warwick 1,202 1.5 1,196 1.4 1,016 1.2 1,050 1.2 Warwickshire 4,673 1.5 5,178 1.6 4,653 1.4 4,701 1.5

West Midlands 93,610 2.9 96,838 3.0 89,726 2.8 96,358 3.0 England & Wales 814,009 2.5 821,589 2.5 744,732 2.3 751,056 2.3

Warwickshire has a slightly higher proportion of short-term claimants (less than 6 months) compared with England and Wales as a whole. There are 600 people in Warwickshire who have been claiming JSA benefit for more than 12 months, representing 13% of the total number of claimants.

Figure 1.3; Claimant duration, May 2005

Less than 6 months 6 months to 1 year 1 year plus Total No.% No . % No. % No. North Warwickshire 445 76.7 75 12.9 60 10.3 580 Nuneaton & Bedworth 1,070 73.0 215 14.7 180 12.3 1,465 Rugby 610 69.7 130 14.9 135 15.4 875 Stratford-on-Avon 525 73.4 110 15.4 80 11.2 715 Warwick 745 71.6 150 14.4 145 13.9 1,040 Warwickshire 3,395 72.6 680 14.5 600 12.8 4,675

West Midlands 65,610 68.7 15,610 16.3 14,290 15.0 95,510 England & Wales 512,220 68.8 129,660 17.4 102,620 13.8 744,500

Note: Data are rounded to nearest five because of disclosure controls. For this reason totals will not match those shown in previous tables. Source: Claimant count, National Statistics (www.nomisweb.co.uk) © Crown Copyright 2005.

For the first time unemployment claimant counts are now available for Super Output Areas within Warwickshire. Super Output Areas (SOAs) are replacing electoral wards as the primary means of dissemination of small area Government (and other) statistics. Each lower layer SOA is smaller than an electoral ward and contains around 1,000–2,000 people.

Examining the unemployment claimant count at this level allows for the identification of pockets of ‘worklessness’ that may otherwise be hidden in ward level statistics. Over time, this will allow relevant agencies to make more targeted interventions in areas of greatest need.

Currently, no up-to-date population data is available for SOAs with which to calculate

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 11 rates, so Figure 1.4 shows only absolute counts of claimants. Each SOA is intended to be of a similar population size so using absolute counts should not be as misleading as examining absolute counts for areas with highly variable population sizes. It must be remembered, however, that the population structure may differ between SOAs, e.g. more or less people of working age.

Whilst the greatest number of pockets of claimants is within Nuneaton & Bedworth, several pockets also exist in Warwick and Rugby districts.

The highest claimant count for May 2005 was in an SOA within central Abbey ward in Nuneaton & Bedworth where there were 61 claimants. Second was an SOA within Brownsover South ward in Rugby with 57, followed by an area within Bar Pool ward in Nuneaton & Bedworth, with 55 claimants.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 12 Figure 1.4; Unemployment Claimant Count, May 2005 – Super Output Areas

Numbers are absolute counts of claimants within areas

1 - 10 11 - 20 21 - 38 39 - 61

Produced by the Research Unit Based on the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. (C) Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings Warwickshire County Council, 100018285, 2005

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 13 Out of the 85 Warwickshire SOAs with the 25% highest (top quartile) claimant counts 35 are within Nuneaton & Bedworth, 20 are within Warwick district and 18 within Rugby borough. Eight North Warwickshire SOAs feature within the highest quartile and four within Stratford-on-Avon

2. Unemployment

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) defines unemployment as a count of jobless people who want to work, are available to work, and are actively seeking employment. The Labour Force Survey collects figures on unemployment levels using the ILO definition, and these are the only internationally comparable measures of unemployment in the UK.

As some unemployed people are not entitled to claim benefits, or choose not to do so, the number of unemployed people will always be higher than the claimant count. The Warwickshire ILO unemployment rate was 3.4% (9,000 people) in 2004, significantly lower than the regional and national averages.

Figure 1.5; Unemployment rate, 1999–2004

10 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

4 Unemployment rate, %

Outlook

The last twelve months have seen a number of job cuts at major manufacturers in the region, culminating in the collapse of MG Rover and more than 5,000 redundancies. Production of Jaguar cars at Browns Lane ended in September with the loss of 400 jobs, the Peugeot plant at Ryton announced 850 redundancies in March, and in May this year the telecoms equipment group Marconi shed 450 jobs.

In Warwickshire, the redundancies at Rover are estimated to have caused the claimant count to rise by between 100 to 200 people between April and May, and there are likely to be other indirect effects through job losses in supplier companies or other local businesses in the medium term.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 14 At a national level there is evidence that the trend in the claimant count has turned upward. The number of claimants has now risen for five consecutive months, the longest run of consecutive monthly increases since December 1992. The claimant count in Warwickshire also turned upward in May although both national and local claimant count unemployment rates remain very low by historical standards.

Further Information

A monthly analysis of the latest claimant count unemployment trends in Warwickshire is available from the Economy and Employment section of the Research Unit website visit, www.warwickshire.gov.uk/research

For further details email [email protected] or telephone 01926 418066.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 15 Summary

Trend over time

Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

EMPLOYMENT LEVELS

Description

This indicator looks at the employment rate for Warwickshire residents using local area data from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The LFS is a quarterly sample survey of households across Great Britain carried out by interviewing people about their circumstances and work using internationally agreed concepts and definitions. The figures presented here are annual estimates, incorporating data from the Local Labour Force Survey (LLFS) to provide more reliable results.

Performance

In 2003, the most recent year that figures are available for, the proportion of Warwickshire residents, of working age (16–59 for females; 16–64 for males), in employment was 79%. This compares favourably with both the West Midlands region and the national average, 73% and 74% respectively.

Figure 1.6; Proportion of people of working age in employment, 1999–2003

100% 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

80%

60%

40%

20% Proportion of working-age population in employment

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire West England & Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon Midlands Wales

Encouragingly, the employment rate in Nuneaton & Bedworth has shown a marked upward trend in recent years, narrowing the gap with the rest of the County. Over the same period, the Warwickshire employment rate has broadly followed the national trend and remains comfortably above both regional and national averages.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 16 Outlook

Nationally, the most recent labour market statistics show a continuation of the trend seen over the past year, of sustained high levels of employment and low levels of unemployment, at or near record levels. However, while employment levels have been increasing, the rate of increase over the past four years has been no more than in line with population growth, leaving the trend in the employment rate largely flat since 2000, following stronger growth through much of the 1990s. It is anticipated that local figures will continue to reflect national trends and we will monitor the results as they become available.

Further Information

Further details about the Labour Force Survey are available from the National Statistics website: www.statistics.gov.uk. Alternatively, contact the Research Unit on 01926 418066 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 17 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

VACANCIES

Description

The number of job vacancies provides an indication of the current state of the local labour market. Traditionally, vacancy statistics have been used either as a proxy for economic activity over time, or to provide snapshot information on vacancy levels in a particular location and for specific occupations.

High numbers of vacancies do not necessarily mean that those looking for employment will be able to find work. There often exists a mismatch between the types of vacancy available and the skills of the unemployed workforce. What is perhaps more important is the type, rather than the quantity, of vacancies available.

The statistics shown here relate to Jobcentre Plus vacancies. Jobcentre Plus only handles a certain proportion of vacancies in the economy and this proportion varies over time according to the occupation and industry of the vacancies, and also geographical location. Recent estimates suggest that Jobcentre Plus accounts for between one-third and a half of all vacancies nationally.

Performance

In the first four months of 2005, the average monthly number of Jobcentre Plus vacancies, for jobs in Warwickshire, was slightly less than 2,500. This compares to an average monthly unemployment claimant count of 4,600 over the same period.

Figure 1.7; Jobcentre Plus vacancies and JSA claimant count, May 2002–April 2005

5,000

JSA Claimant Count

4,000

3,000

2,000 JC+ Vacancies claimants / Jobcentre Plus vacancies

1,000

Number of JSA 0 May-02 Jan-03 Jan-04 Jan-05

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 18 Both the unemployment claimant count and vacancies are highly seasonal with the post- Christmas slump in the number of vacancies and corresponding peak in the claimant count immediately obvious in Figure 1.7.

The latest vacancy figures, relating to the period January to March 2005, are shown below disaggregated by occupation type.

Figure 1.8; Vacancies by Occupation Type, January–March 2005

Managerial & professional North Warwickshire

Associate professional & technical Nuneaton & Bedworth Rugby

Administrative & secretarial Stratford-on-Avon

Warwick Skilled trades

Personal service

Sales & customer service

Process, plant & machine

Elementary

0 10 20 30 40 50 Percentage of notified vacancies (Jan-Mar 2005)

Nuneaton & Bedworth has a much higher proportion of elementary vacancies than elsewhere in Warwickshire. More than four in ten notified vacancies in Nuneaton & Bedworth are for this type of work; these include farm workers, unskilled labourers, warehouse packers and office juniors.

Outlook

Interpretation of vacancies data needs to take account of changes in recent years to Jobcentre Plus procedures for taking and handling vacancies. The Jobcentre Plus vacancies series do not provide comprehensive measures relating to all vacancies in the economy, with the proportion of vacancies notified by employers varying over time according to the occupation and industry of the vacancies, and also by geographical area.

Further Information

The Research Unit can provide more details on this indicator: email [email protected] or telephone 01926 418066.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 19 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

HOURS WORKED

Description

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) collects information on the usual number of hours worked by individuals in employment. Usual hours in the LFS covers people’s main jobs, includes both paid and unpaid overtime but excludes meal breaks. In any given week the actual hours a person works may differ from their usual hours, for example due to holidays, sickness absence, varying hours and overtime, maternity or paternity leave, or hours worked in a second job. Information collected is presented on a residence basis so the figures for Warwickshire will include residents who work outside the County.

As the LFS is a sample survey the results are unlikely to be 100% accurate and district level estimates in particular should be treated with a degree of caution.

Performance

At a national level, the number of people usually working over 45 hours per week had been generally rising during the mid-nineties until it peaked in the autumn of 1997. Since then it has been on a relatively steady decline, although there was a pause in the decline between early 1999 to mid-2001.

The percentage of residents in employment working long hours in Warwickshire has followed a similar trend. In 2004, approximately one in four Warwickshire residents in employment stated they usually worked more than 45 hours per week.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 20 Figure 1.9; Percentage of people in employment usually working more than 45 hours per week, 2000–2004

40% 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

30%

20% more than 45hrs per week 10% Percentage of people in employment usually working 0%

North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire West England & Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon Midlands Wales

North Warwickshire is the only district in the County where the proportion of residents in employment working more than 45 hours per week is significantly higher than the national average, 32% compared to 27% for England & Wales.

Generally, the self-employed tend to work longer hours than employees, and men tend to work longer hours than women. The latest figures reveal that close to 19% of employees work more than 45 hours per week compared to 34% amongst the self-employed.

Around 31% of men in employment work over 45 hours a week, compared with 10% of women. Men working as managers and senior officials are most likely to be working long hours, followed by process, plant and machine operatives and then professional occupations. Among women, those in professional occupations, mainly teachers, are most likely to work long hours, followed by managers and senior officials.

Outlook

Earlier this year the European Parliament voted to change working hours legislation, to prevent people working more than 48 hours per week. The EU Working Time Directive already says that people should not work more than 48 hours a week, but under the current system, used more in the UK than elsewhere, individuals can opt out if they want to work longer hours.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 21 The Parliament’s decision still has a long way to go before it becomes law and in the past the UK government has blocked any proposals to withdraw the opt-out.

Average weekly working hours in the UK are among the highest in the EU. However, increasing prominence is being given to the development of family friendly employment practices and achieving a better work-life balance. Working parents are now able to request to work flexibly as part of the Employment Act, which came into force in 2003.

Further Information

More information on hours worked is available from the National Statistics website, www. statistics.gov.uk. Alternatively, contact the Research Unit: [email protected] or call 01926 418066.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 22 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

EARNINGS

Description

The Annual Survey of Hours & Earnings (ASHE) has replaced the New Earnings Survey (NES) as the primary source of information on earnings statistics. This development has been accompanied by a shift in focus to the ‘median’ as the headline earnings statistic in place of the ‘mean’. The median (the value below which 50 per cent of employees fall) measures the amount earned by the typical worker. It is preferred over the mean for earnings data as it is influenced less by extreme values.

Data on earnings are published by both place of residence and workplace. Residence- based earnings figures for Warwickshire include the wages of all Warwickshire residents irrespective of whether they work outside the County. Workplace-based earnings data include the wages of people travelling into the County to work, but exclude those of Warwickshire residents who travel outside the County to work, and reflects the profile of the types of jobs in the area rather than the jobs held by its residents.

Performance

The typical gross (before tax) annual wage for a full-time worker living in Warwickshire was £23,300 in 2004. This is £1,000 higher than the equivalent figure for England & Wales (£22,300) and £2,500 more than the typical wage for West Midlands’ residents (£20,800).

Figure 1.10; Typical gross annual wage, full-time workers (residence-based), 2002–2004

2002 2003 2004 28

4 Gross annual pay for full-time employee jobs, £,000s 0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire West England Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon Midlands & Wales Source: Annual Survey of Hours & Earnings (ASHE), National Statistics (www.statistics.gov.uk) © Crown Copyright 2005.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 23 Within Warwickshire, wage levels are highest for Stratford-on-Avon residents, £26,700. Wages for North Warwickshire residents are the lowest in the County, £20,700, over a fifth lower than for Stratford-on-Avon residents.

Figure 1.11; Typical gross annual wage, full-time workers, 2004

Residence Workplace

North Warwickshir e £20,700 £22,400 Nuneaton & Bedworth £21,300 £18,700 Rugby £23,000 £23,100 Stratford-on-Avon £26,700 £23,100 Warwick £25,600 £22,500

Warwickshire £23,300 £22,000 West Midlands £20,800 £20,700 England & Wales £22,300 £22,200

Residence-based earnings levels in the South of the County are considerably higher than their workplace equivalents. This suggests that a significant proportion of Warwickshire residents, particularly in Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick districts, who work outside the County’s boundaries are able to earn higher wages than those available for jobs within Warwickshire.

Workplace earnings are fairly consistent across the districts with the exception of Nuneaton & Bedworth where annual earnings are £3,700 lower than in any other district.

Outlook

The latest estimates, from the Average Earnings Index, show growth in earnings per head falling slightly in 2005. Pay growth, excluding bonuses, was 4% in the year to May 2005. Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, was 1.9% for the same period.

Further Information

Details of the Annual Survey of Hours & Earnings are available from the National Statistics website, www.statistics.gov.uk. Alternatively, contact the Research Unit on 01926 418066 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 24 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

KEY BENEFIT CLAIMANTS

Description

Warwickshire residents claim a number of different benefit types, including:

• unemployment-related benefit, • sickness benefits, • and family-related benefits.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) provides information on the number of people claiming at least one of the ‘key benefits’ that are available to working-age people. The key benefits are Jobseeker’s Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Income Support.

The proportion of working-age people claiming key benefits provides an indicator of the health and economic activity levels of residents.

Performance

Residents of Warwickshire continue to claim significantly fewer key social security benefits than elsewhere in the West Midlands region and England & Wales. Countywide, the claimant rate fell in 2004 to 9.1%, compared to the national rate of 13%.

Figure 1.12; Proportion of the working-age population claiming key benefits, 1999–2004

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 15

Percentage of working-age population claiming key benefits 0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire West England & Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon Midlands Wales

Note: Figures are released quarterly. Statistics presented here relate to November in each year, 1999–2004. Source: Department for Work and Pensions (www.dwp.gov.uk).

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 25 Locally, all five Warwickshire districts have key benefit claimant rates below regional and national averages. Levels are particularly low in Stratford-on-Avon, where less than 7% of the working age population claim key benefits. The highest rates in Warwickshire are found in the north of the County, where one in ten North Warwickshire residents and close to 12% of Nuneaton & Bedworth residents claim at least one key benefit.

The Warwickshire claimant rate of 9.1% represents 29,400 people in receipt of key benefits. This is 1,000 lower than in 2003, predominantly due to a decrease in the number of people claiming unemployment benefit. The total can be disaggregated into the following groups:

• unemployment benefit (3,600), • sick and disabled benefits (20,500), • lone parents (4,100) • and others (claimants in receipt of Income Support but not in other groups e.g. carers, 1,200).

Figure 1.13; Number of working-age population claiming key benefits by type, November 2004

Other 10,000 Lone parent

Sick & disabled 8,000 Unemployment

6,000

4,000

2,000 Number of working-age population claiming key benefits 0 North Nuneaton Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire & Bedworth on-Avon Source: Department for Work and Pensions (www.dwp.gov.uk).

Outlook

There has been a steady rise in the number of Warwickshire residents claiming sickness and disability benefits. Between 1998 and 2004 the number of people claiming this type of benefit has increased by 16% and it now accounts for 70% of all key benefit claimants in Warwickshire. However, the government has announced that it plans to overhaul benefits paid to sick and disabled people with the aim of removing disincentives to work. The changes are due to come into force by 2008.

Further Information

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 26 More details on the different types of benefit available can be found on the Department for Work and Pensions website: www.dwp.gov.uk. For more information on this indicator visit the Labour Market Statistics website: www.nomisweb.co.uk. Alternatively, contact the Research Unit on 01926 418066 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 27 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

GROSS VALUE ADDED

Description

Gross Value Added (GVA) is a measure of the total economic activity in a region and acts as an important indicator of the overall health of a region’s economy. Local area GVA is calculated as the sum of incomes earned from the production of goods and services within an area.

Local area GVA data are collected by workplace rather than by place of residence. Warwickshire’s figures will therefore include all GVA generated by economic activity within the County, but exclude that generated by Warwickshire residents working outside the County. Per capita Gross Value Added is calculated by dividing the estimate of workplace GVA for an area by the resident population for that area.

Performance

The figures suggest that Warwickshire has weathered the slowdown in the national economy, which occurred during 2001–2002, relatively well. Latest estimates show per capita GVA in Warwickshire rising from 1% below the UK figure in 1995, to 6% higher in 2001 before dropping back slightly, to 104% of the national figure in 2002.

Figure 1.14; Gross Value Added per head relative to the UK average, 1995–2002

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 120

105 105 104 106 104 100 103 93 93 93 99 92 92 92 91 90 100 UK=100

60 Added, Index (UK = 100)

40 alue

Gross V 20

0 Warwickshire West Midlands

Between 1995 and 2002, the Warwickshire economy (as measured by total GVA and before allowing for inflation) grew by an average annual rate of 5.9%. This compares favourably with the UK average of 5.1% and the West Midlands figure of 4.6%.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 28 Figure 1.15; Gross Value Added and GVA per head, 1995–2002

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

GVA per head, £

Warwickshire 10,631 11,631 12,408 13,389 13,943 14,477 15,355 15,886 Year-on-year % change – 6.9% 9.2% 7.9% 4.1% 3.8% 6.1% 3.5%

United Kingdom 10,786 11,400 12,085 12,807 13,337 13,867 14,545 15,273 Year-on-year % change – 5.7% 6.0% 6.0% 4.1% 4.0% 4.9% 5.0%

West Midlands 10,063 10,607 11,258 11,830 12,246 12,716 13,285 13,803 Year-on-year % change – 5.4% 6.1% 5.1% 3.5% 3.8% 4.5% 3.9%

Warwickshire is ranked third in terms of per capita GVA in the West Midlands region, behind Birmingham and Solihull. This is an improvement of one place from the previous year’s estimates.

Figure 1.16; Gross Value Added per head in the West Midlands region, 2002

20,000 £

d, 15,000 a he r r pe

10,000

5,000 Gross Value Added

0 e e e ry ell UK rent nt rekin rdshir Solihull Area fo Cove wickshir fordshire lsall & r rcestershir Shropshire st Midlands Birmingham Met. lverhampton Wa Wa Staf Here Wo lford & W We Stoke-on-T Wo Te Dudley & Sandw

The problems facing the UK manufacturing industry, which has been performing weakly since the start of 2001, have acted as a significant drag on growth in Coventry. The City has slipped from first to fourth place in the Regional GVA rankings.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 29 As estimates of GVA per head are calculated by dividing the workplace GVA for an area by its resident population, estimates of GVA per head will be higher in areas with high levels of inward commuting and a low resident population. Conversely, GVA per head will be lower in areas with significant levels of outward commuting and a high resident population.

Outlook

Growth in the UK economy picked up during 2003–04 and this is likely to be reflected when new GVA data become available.

Further Information

More information about Gross Value Added statistics is available from the National Statistics website: www.statistics.gov.uk. Alternatively, contact the Research Unit on 01926 418066 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 30 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

JOBS IN WARWICKSHIRE

Description

The Office for National Statistics produces annual estimates of the numbers of employee jobs in an area through the Annual Business Inquiry (ABI). The ABI replaced the Annual Employment Survey in 1998, and now provides a time series of employment data between 1998 and 2003.

Performance

1. Jobs per 1,000 population

The density of jobs in an area, measured here as the number of jobs per 1,000 population, provides an indication of the health of the local labour market. The numbers of job opportunities in a local area will influence indicators such as employment and unemployment levels, and also the distance people need to travel to work. By district, there are significant differences in job numbers compared to local populations.

Figure 1.17; Number of jobs per 1,000 population, 2000–2003

2000 2001 2002 2003

1,000

800

600

400 Number of jobs per 1,000 population 200

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford Warwick Warwickshire West England Warwickshire Bedworth -on-Avon Midlands & Wales

Nuneaton & Bedworth has by far the lowest number of jobs per 1,000 population at around 550. In contrast, Rugby, Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick have a higher number of jobs relative to their populations than regional and national averages.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 31 Figure 1.18; Total Warwickshire jobs by district, 2003

North Warwickshire 24,000 Full-time equivalent jobs 13% of County total Warwick 55,400 Full-time equivalent jobs 30% of County total

Nuneaton & Bedworth 29,200 Full-time equivalent jobs 16% of County total

Rugby Stratford-on-Avon 34,700 Full-time equivalent jobs 40,200 Full-time equivalent jobs 19% of County total 22% of County total

2. Employment by Sector

Compared to the national average, the profile of employee jobs in Warwickshire is skewed towards jobs in the distribution, hotels & restaurants, and manufacturing sectors. Jobs in public administration, education & health are under-represented in the County compared with the national picture.

Figure 1.19; Profile of jobs by sector, 2003

North Nuneaton Stratford Warwick England Column percentages Warks & Bedworth Rugby-on-Avon Wa rwick -shire & Wales Agriculture and fishing 2.6 0.3 2.3 6.8 1.0 2.6 0.8 Energy and water 2.7 0.0 0.0 0.2 2.0 1.0 0.6 Manufacturing 18.6 18.3 23.4 11.0 11.2 15.5 12.8 Construction 6.1 3.2 6.9 4.7 2.4 4.3 4.4 Distribution, hotels & restaurants 24.6 30.7 25.5 28.7 25.9 27.1 24.8 Transport & communications 17.5 8.8 6.3 4.4 5.6 7.5 6.1 Finance & business services 10.8 10.1 12.8 22.6 24.2 17.8 20.0 Public admin. education & heal th 12.6 24.0 18.0 15.6 21.2 18.8 25.5 Other services 4.5 4.4 4.7 5.9 6.3 5.4 5.1 Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

By District:

North Warwickshire – excellent communication links by both road and rail explain the strength of the transport & communications sector. Public administration, education & health, and finance & business services jobs are under-represented compared to the rest of Warwickshire.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 32 Nuneaton & Bedworth – high proportions of jobs in the manufacturing and public administration, education & health sectors.

Rugby – the presence of a number of large manufacturing employers means Rugby has the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the County.

Stratford – the influence of the tourist industry is readily apparent, with a high proportion of jobs in the hotels & restaurants sector. There are also a significant number of finance & business services jobs.

Warwick – a high concentration of jobs in finance & business services, and also in public administration, education & health. Warwick has the smallest proportion of employment in the construction sector.

Outlook

Recent projections produced by the Institute of Employment Research at Warwick University suggest that there will be steady employment growth in Warwickshire. However, a significant proportion of these new jobs will be part-time and growth will not be reflected across all sectors.

Employment in a number of manufacturing sectors is predicted to decline further, along with agricultural and construction employment. However, it is likely that replacement demand, arising mainly from retirement, will compensate for the negative employment growth forecast in some sectors. Growth sectors are anticipated to include business services, education, health and social work.

Further Information

For further information on jobs in Warwickshire contact the Research Unit, email [email protected] or telephone 01926 418066.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 33 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

EMPLOYMENT AND COMMUTING TRENDS

Description

The 2001 Census collected address level information on individuals’ place of work, as well as residence, enabling a set of travel-to-work statistics to be generated.

As well as providing detailed information on journeys to work between different areas, the Census travel-to-work data makes it possible to derive “daytime” working populations. This does not equate exactly with other measures of employment such as the Annual Business Inquiry, as it discounts the fact that many people have more than one job. It also includes self-employed people whilst some other measures do not. However, by comparing the data with that from previous Censuses, it does give a good picture of the spread of employment opportunities and how these have changed over the longer term.

Performance

1. Jobs and labour supply

The number of people working in Warwickshire increased from 184,700 to 236,900 (+28%) between 1981 and 2001. This compares with growth in the resident labour supply of 15%, from 224,600 to 258,900. Because the number of residents in employment or looking for work exceeds the number of jobs in Warwickshire the County is a net exporter of labour, with a net outflow of 22,000 workers (or 8% of the resident labour supply) in 2001.

Figure 1.20 shows the jobs/labour residual for the five Warwickshire districts. This uses the working population of each district from the Census as a proxy for jobs and compares it to the resident population in employment or seeking work. A positive figure denotes a surplus of jobs in an area compared to the resident labour supply, whilst a negative figure denotes a shortfall in the number of local jobs compared to the resident labour supply.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 34 Figure 1.20; Jobs/Labour residual (number of jobs in an area minus the local labour supply), 1981–2001

5,000 North Nuneaton & Stratford- Warwickshire Bedworth Rugby on-Avon Warwickshire 0

-5000 Warwick -10,000

-15000

-20,000

-25000

Jobs / labour supply residual 1981 1991 2001

-30,000

-35000

-40,000

In number terms, Warwick district added 17,500 jobs (more than any other Warwickshire district) between 1981 and 2001. It is the only district in Warwickshire where the number of local jobs exceeds the resident labour supply, with a surplus of more than 4,000 jobs. This makes Warwick the only significant net importer of labour. Around 6,400 more people commute into Warwick district to work than travel out of the district to work.

Nuneaton & Bedworth has a shortfall of 17,200 jobs compared to its resident labour supply, a much higher shortfall than any other district, which has not altered significantly since 1991.

2. In-commuting

Imbalances between the distribution of jobs and the distribution of the residential population are a primary factor behind commuting patterns. The number of people commuting into Warwickshire increased from 33,00 to 67,700 between 1981 and 2001 (+105%). The biggest increases were in Stratford, Warwick and North Warwickshire, the three districts that experienced the highest rates of growth in their working populations over the same period.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 35 Figure 1.21; In-commuting as a percentage of the workplace population, 1981-2001

60% 1981 1991 2001

50%

40%

30%

20%

10% In-commuting as a percentage of the workplace population

0% North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

3. Out-commuting

The availability of jobs in an area exerts a significant influence on the propensity of residents to commute out of the local area in order to find employment. However, a plentiful supply of local jobs does not guarantee employment for local people. The types of jobs available and the skills of the local labour force will affect the balance between labour supply and demand.

Since 1981, Warwickshire has become less self-contained as a labour market. In 1981, some 27% of all Warwickshire residents in employment commuted outside of the County’s boundaries to their normal place of work. By 2001 this had risen to 32%. This trend was common to all five districts.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 36 Figure 1.22; Out-commuting as a percentage of the resident workforce, 1981-2001

60 1981 1991 2001

10 Out-commuting as a percentage of the workplace population 0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Note: Percentages for the districts are for all people commuting out of the particular district; the percentage for Warwickshire is for all people commuting out of the county. Source: 1981-2001 Censuses, National Statistics (www.statistics.gov.uk) © Crown Copyright 2005.

North Warwickshire has the highest proportion of its workforce commuting out of the district to their normal place of work, 58% (17,600 people) in 2001.

Outlook

Analysis of data from the 2001 Census suggest an increasing tendency for Warwickshire residents to travel further afield to their place of work over the last twenty years. The biggest increases in the number of out-commuters have been for people travelling beyond the neighbouring employment centres of Coventry, Birmingham, Solihull, Tamworth, Redditch, Leicester and Northampton.

However, their has also been a significant increase in the number of Warwickshire residents working from home, which increased from 5.2% of all people in employment to 9.7% between 1991 and 2001.

Further Information

A detailed report on these trends is available from the Research Unit website, www.warwickshire.gov.uk/census2001. For more information contact the Research Unit: email [email protected] or telephone 01926 418066.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 37 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

INWARD INVESTMENT

Description

The Warwickshire Investment Partnership (WIPS) was formed in 1998 to promote and market the County to potential investors, agents, property developers and existing local companies. The Partnership provides a full range of services to support companies seeking to relocate, set up, or expand within Warwickshire.

Performance

Warwickshire Investment Partnership received 808 enquiries during 2004/2005, an increase of 5% on the previous year. The Partnership was successful in securing 58 investment projects for the County, creating 854 jobs and safeguarding a further 184.

The chart below shows the number of new jobs created and the number of existing jobs safeguarded by the Partnership between 2001/02 and 2004/05. Last year, the highest number of new jobs (616) was created in Stratford-on-Avon.

Figure 1.23; Inward investment successes 2001/02 – 2004/05

700 Jobs created Jobs safeguarded 600

500

400

300

200

100 Number of jobs created / safeguarded

0 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon Source: Warwickshire Investment Partnership (www.warwickshire.gov.uk/wips).

Investments have predominantly come from the Service Sector in 2004/05 but there has also been activity in other areas including transport technology and ICT. Much of the Partnership’s work focuses on developing these clusters across the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire sub-region. Aside from a small number of relocations most investments continue to come from smaller indigenous businesses rather than the larger inward investors.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 38 Figure 1.24; Inward investment requirements by preferred location 1999/00 –2004/05

1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05

400

300

200

100 Investment requirements by preferred location

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Note: Where a company is looking in more than one district, the requirement will be counted in all districts of their search. Hence, the number of requirements is higher than the number of enquiries received. Source: Warwickshire Investment Partnership (www.warwickshire.gov.uk/wips).

Warwick district continues to be the most popular location for companies looking to invest in Warwickshire.

Outlook

Following a successful year, the Partnership will continue to focus on key automotive related clusters during 2005/06 as well as development work in medical technologies, new media, tourism, and food and drink. This will be achieved through a range of proactive marketing campaigns, continued contribution and support for key regional/ sub-regional activity, and participation at industry led events.

Further Information

For advice and support on inward investment visit the WIPS website, www.warwickshire.gov.uk/wips. Alternatively, email the Partnership at [email protected], or phone Rachel Baconnet on 01926 418067.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 39 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

BUSINESS VIABILITY

Description

Although not capturing many of the smaller businesses operating below the VAT threshold, the numbers of businesses registering (and de-registering) for VAT provide the best guide to the pattern of business start-ups and closures. They are a useful indicator of the level of entrepreneurship and health of the business community and are widely used in regional and local economic planning.

The Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) have released revised data, which include improvements to local area estimates, covering the period 1994 to 2003.

Performance

1. VAT registered business stocks

At the end of 2003 there were 19,050 registered businesses in Warwickshire. This represents an increase of 1.6% on the previous year.

Figure 1.25; VAT Registered business stock at end of year, 1996–2003

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

North Warwickshi re 1,895 1,915 1,955 2,005 2,070 2,110 2,180 2,280 Nuneaton & Bedwo rth 2,315 2,325 2,365 2,405 2,435 2,470 2,520 2,565 Rugby 2,505 2,555 2,605 2,665 2,740 2,785 2,840 2,905 Stratford-on-Avon 5,325 5,440 5,600 5,735 5,940 6,015 6,115 6,195 Warwick 4,250 4,385 4,555 4,735 4,900 5,005 5,090 5,110 Warwickshir e 16,285 16,625 17,085 17,545 18,085 18,390 18,745 19,050 West Midland s 138,765 141,185 143,695 145,505 147,670 149,235 150,460 151,545

Since 1998, Warwickshire has enjoyed a faster rate of growth in its business stock than that taking place at the national level. By district, in the last couple of years, the fastest growth in the number of VAT registered businesses has been in North Warwickshire.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 40 2. New VAT registrations

The future health of the UK economy is dependent on the capacity of individuals and businesses to innovate and adapt. Increasing prominence has been given to the need to develop an enterprise culture and the level of business start-ups is recognised as a key indicator of this.

Business start-up rates vary in Warwickshire. In 2003 there were 87 VAT registrations per 10,000 working-age population in Stratford-on-Avon and 39 in Nuneaton & Bedworth. The pattern of business start-ups in Warwickshire closely mirrors that of self-employment levels.

Figure 1.26; New VAT registrations per 10,000 working-age residents, 1999–2003

100 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

40 registrations per 10,000 working-age residents

AT 20 New V

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire West England & Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon Midlands Wales Source: Department of Trade and Industry, National Statistics (www.nomisweb.co.uk) © Crown Copyright 2005.

Outlook

Many factors influence the pattern of business start-ups. Among the most important are economic growth (encouraging new ventures and creating demand for business and personal services), the level of industrial restructuring and contracting out, and the stock of people with management or small business experience and entrepreneurial flair.

Growth in the number of VAT registrations, reflecting growth in existing businesses as they exceed the VAT threshold and new business start-ups, and the total stock of businesses are encouraging signs for the future health of Warwickshire economy.

Further Information

Information on the number of VAT registered businesses is available from the Small Business Service via the web, www.sbs.gov.uk. Alternatively, contact the Research Unit, 01926 418066 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 41 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

HOUSING AFFORDABILITY

Description

The ratio of average annual full-time earnings to average house prices is an indication of the relative affordability of owner-occupation. The Land Registry produces quarterly data on average house prices for different categories of housing and the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) publishes information on the distribution of earnings.

Performance

The Halifax House Price Index is the UK’s longest running monthly house price series, covering the whole country from January 1983. The UK Index is derived from the Society’s own data on mortgage approvals. Since 1997, growth in the price of a typical house in Warwickshire (139%) has been commensurate with that witnessed at the national level (142%).

Figure 1.27; Price of a typical property, 1997–2005

200

Warwickshire 150 UK , £,000s

100

50 Price of a typical property

0 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Source: Halifax House Price Index, (www.HBOSplc.com).

The effect of continued imbalance between growth in house prices and growth in earnings has meant a significant decrease in the affordability of housing in the County. In 2004, a semi-detached house in Warwickshire cost, on average, almost seven times the typical annual wage for a full-time worker living in Warwickshire. It should be noted that the effect on affordability is tempered somewhat by the historically low interest rate climate and associated low mortgage costs.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 42 Figure 1.28; House prices (semi-detached) to earnings ratio, 2002–2004

2002 2003 2004 8

House price / Earnings ratio 2

North Nuneaton Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire West England Warwickshire & Bedworth on-Avon Midlands & Wales

Affordability pressures have made it increasingly difficult for people to enter the housing market for the first time. The number of first-time buyers (FTBs) has fallen significantly over the past few years. There were 361,000 FTBs in 2004 according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders, the lowest annual total in the past 20 years. This downward trend has continued with the number of FTBs in the first four months of 2005, some 29% lower than in the same period last year.

Outlook

The latest evidence suggests that UK house prices are broadly unchanged so far in 2005 and most commentators expect the market to remain relatively flat in the second-half of the year.

Further Information

Details of the Annual Survey of Hours & Earnings (ASHE) are available from National Statistics, www.statistics.gov.uk. Information on house prices can be obtained from the Land Registry for England and Wales, 0151 473 6137, or via the web, www.landreg.gov.uk

The Research Unit publishes a quarterly update on house prices in Warwickshire, visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/research, telephone 01926 412358 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 43 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Description

The previous indicator on the affordability of housing provides a comparison of income levels with private-sector housing costs. This indicator looks at the availability of ‘affordable housing’. The West Midlands Local Government Association’s definition of affordable housing includes social (i.e. rented) housing and shared-ownership housing (where a registered social landlord or local authority retains a continuing interest in the property); as well as low-cost market housing to meet the needs of those who cannot afford market rents or prices in the locality including first time buyers, single people, the elderly and other low income households. The definition of affordable housing has been broadened in response to the impact of rising house prices and recognises that the problem of access to affordable housing is wider than that covered by the previous narrow definition of providing social housing for claimants of Housing Benefits.

Affordable housing is being provided through two main channels:

• funded directly through the Housing Corporation grant and

• as a result of Section 106 agreements, which are drawn up between Local Planning Authorities and applicants to provide a percentage of affordable housing as part of a larger housing development.

Central government is increasingly seeking to deliver its affordable housing through the planning system, i.e. through Section 106 agreements, and cutting back on its direct subsidies.

Performance

Within this context, Warwickshire is aiming to provide a certain level of affordable housing as set out in the Warwickshire Structure Plan (WASP). The WASP has estimated a level of affordable housing need for the period 1996–2011 and there are policies in Warwickshire’s Local Plans to help ensure that a certain percentage of affordable housing is included on sites over a certain threshold.

However, the indicative targets used in the WASP originate from figures in the Regional Planning Guidance – districts were encouraged to carry out Housing Need Studies in order to complement the regional figures. Based on recent studies the housing need appears to be much greater than that assumed in Regional Planning Guidance: Stratford District’s target in WASP estimates housing need between 1996 and 2011 to be 3,700 dwellings (247 per annum), whereas the Housing Need Study identifies a need for over 4,000 dwellings between 2002 and 2006 (1,020 per annum).

Figure 1.29 shows the current level of provision of affordable housing, in terms of completions during the period 1996–2004 and identified sites as at April 2004 (with and without planning permission), compared with the WASP indicative targets, by district area. This illustrates the serious shortfall of affordable housing across the county.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 44 Looking at the county as a whole, only 15% of the affordable housing need has been completed to date (1996–2004). There has been some progress during 2003/04, in that the percentage of the total housing need for which sites are not yet identified has fallen from 73% to 65% at April 2004. However, this represents a requirement for 9,000 affordable dwellings, whereas housing development as a whole in Warwickshire has now exceeded the allocation set out in the WASP: completions and identified sites accounted for 102% of the allocation at April 2004.

Figure 1.29; Progress of Affordable Housing Completions and Identified Sites towards District Indicative Targets

4,000 Identified sites without permission (April 2004)

3,500 Identified sites with permission (April 2004)

3,000 Completions to date (1996 to 2004)

2,500

2,000

1,500 36% 36% Number of Dwellings 94%

1,000 22% 500 15%

0 Actual Target Actual Target Actual Target Actual Target Actual Target North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Source: Warwickshire Districts, 2004.

Recently the Housing Corporation has reduced its financial support for affordable housing achieved through the planning system, i.e. through Section 106 Agreements. In areas like Stratford-on-Avon, high land values mean that developers can fund affordable housing as part of their developments, but lower demand areas are facing problems of implementation even where affordable housing has been secured.

Figure 1.30 compares the annual completions of affordable housing built by Local Authority and Housing Associations and through section 106 agreements, by district, for the years 2000/01 to 2003/04.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 45 Figure 1.30; Housing Association/Local Authority and Affordable housing Completions, 2000/01–2003/04

250 2000/01

2001/02 200 2002/03

150 2003/04

100 Annual completions

LA/HA Low cost LA/HA Low cost LA/HA Low cost LA/HA Low cost LA/HA Low cost

North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Source: Warwickshire Districts, 2000–2004.

Outlook

Affordable housing is a national, not just a local problem and the shortage in Warwickshire is not as severe as in the South East of England. However, changes in the funding arrangements for accessing Housing Corporation grants have meant that some of Warwickshire’s districts have failed to access funding from the Housing Corporation. This implies that the ability of districts to deliver on affordable housing, both in terms of WASP targets and meeting their locally identified need, will depend on using the planning system to secure Section 106 agreements, either with private developers or by working in partnership with housing associations to find ways of increasing the supply of affordable housing. For example, Warwick District Council has issued a Supplementary Planning Document (Consultation draft, June 2005) on ‘Managing Housing Supply’ in which they make an exception to the policy restricting new permissions on windfall sites, for housing which is genuinely affordable to those in housing need.

Further Information

Details of the Warwickshire Structure Plan are available from Suzanne Osborn, Planning Strategy, Warwickshire County Council. Telephone 01926 412538 or email [email protected]

Further information about employment and housing land monitoring can be obtained from Nina Bobe in the Research Unit. Telephone 01926 412358 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 46 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

TOURISM

Description

For most of us “tourism” is simply the business of going on holiday. But tourism covers a multitude of leisure-time activities ranging from sight-seeing and shopping to attending sports events or visiting friends and relatives. Tourists can be visiting from abroad or from within Britain, for many weeks or just on a day trip. What makes them all tourists is that they are travelling to a place outside their usual environment.

Tourism is an important sector of Warwickshire’s economy, with several of the region’s top attractions located within the County. In 2000, Warwick Castle received 793,300 visitors and in 2003 the Shakespeare Birthplace museum attracted 352,500 visitors. It is usual to think of leisure tourism as the main source of tourists visiting Warwickshire, but business tourism also makes an important contribution to the local tourist industry. Business events held in and around the County attract significant numbers of visitors, benefiting local accommodation, restaurants, pubs, shops and other amenities.

Performance

The estimated number of tourists spending at least one night in Warwickshire fell for the third consecutive year in 2003, to 4.5 million. This was largely due to a fall in the number of trips, and nights spent, by domestic visitors to the County. The trend in the number of nights spent in Warwickshire by overseas visitors was flat, but the estimate of associated spend increased to £72 million, up from £66 million in 2002.

Figure 1.31; Numbers of overnight visitors to Warwickshire by origin, 2000–2003

6 2000 2001 2002 2003

3 sitor Nights (millions)

Vi 2

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 47 Domestic visitors spent an estimated £221 million in Warwickshire in 2003, bringing total expenditure by tourists visiting the County to £293 million.

The tourism industry is a vital and well-established part of the Warwickshire economy – the hospitality and tourism sector (as defined by the English Tourism Council) employed more than 21,000 people in the County in 2003.

Outlook

At a national level, provisional results for 2004 suggest the overseas tourism market has had it best ever year in both volume and value terms. It is too early to estimate the potential impact of the terrorist attacks in London on levels of overseas visitors, which have been steadily recovering from the effects of the Foot and Mouth outbreak and the September 11th attacks in 2001.

The number of domestic tourism trips has been falling in recent years, possibly reflecting the increased popularity of weekend breaks abroad, made cheaper by the budget airlines.

On a more positive note, tourism numbers in Warwickshire could be boosted by the Chinese government’s decision to grant the UK “approved destination status”. Previously Chinese were only allowed to travel to the UK with a working or study visa, now they are free to visit on their usual passport for a holiday. It is hoped that the County’s strong cultural offer will enable it to benefit from this emerging market.

Further Information

For further information on tourism in Warwickshire and the surrounding area visit the Heart of England Tourism website: www.visitheartofengland.com, or call them on 01905 761100.

For more information on the County Council’s activities to support Warwickshire’s visitor economy contact Angela Baines, Principal Tourism Development Officer, 01926 414150, email [email protected], visit www.enjoywarwickshire.com/

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 48 Social Indicators

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 519 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

DEPRIVATION & DISADVANTAGE

Description

Both the Jarman and Townsend Indices can be used as small area measures for identifying areas of need within Warwickshire. Both indices were originally devised during the 1980’s but the Research Unit have recently updated them using 2001 Census data, at Census Output Area (COA) level.

The Townsend Index was devised to provide a measure of material deprivation and disadvantage. The index uses four variables, taken from the Census; unemployment, non-car ownership, non-home ownership and household overcrowding.

Unlike the Townsend index, the Jarman Index was developed to help measure the demand for primary health care services as opposed to material deprivation. A high Jarman score may indicate a higher demand for primary health care services, whereas a low score may indicate a lower demand.

The Jarman index comprises eight variables – lone pensioners, number of children under the age of five, persons in single parent households, people employed in unskilled jobs, number of people who are unemployed, household overcrowding, number of migrants and people of non-white ethnicity. These variables were originally selected based upon consultation with GP’s about factors affecting their workloads.

Performance

• Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough has the highest actual number of COAs within the top quartile of both the Jarman and Townsend indices. Approximately 35% of COAs in Nuneaton & Bedworth fall within the top quartile of both indices on a Countywide basis.

• Just under 10% of all Stratford-on-Avon COAs fall within the 25% of COAs with the highest Jarman scores in Warwickshire.

• North Warwickshire Borough has the smallest actual number (25) of COAs that feature within the highest scoring COAs using the Jarman Index (11.9% of all COAs in the borough).

Figure 2.1; Percentage of COAs in Each District within the Top (highest scoring) Quartile in Warwickshire (figures in brackets refer to the number of COAs)

District Jarman Index Townsend Index North Warwickshire 11.9% (25) 23.8% (50) Nuneaton &Bedworth 35.8% (140) 33.7% (132) Rugby 32.8% (98) 23.4% (70) Stratford-on-Avon 9.9% (40) 14.1% (57) Warwick 30.2% (132) 28.8% (126)

Source: Census 2001, Key Statistics, Jarman and Townsend Index constructed by the Research Unit.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 50 Figure 2.2; Warwickshire COAs based on Jarman Index Score

Ward Boundaries 2003

Lowest Jarman Score

Highest Jarman Score

Produced by the Research Unit

Based on the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of H er Majesty's Stationery Office. (C)Crown C opyright. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings Warwickshire County Council, 100018285, 2005

Source: Census 2001, Key Statistics, Jarman Index constructed by the Research Unit.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 51 Figure 2.3; Warwickshire COAs based on the Townsend Index Score

Ward Boundaries 2003

Least Deprived Quartile

Most Deprived Quartile

Produced by the Research Unit

Source: Census 2001, Key Statistics, Townsend Index constructed by the Research Unit.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 52 Outlook

Despite differences in the construction of the Jarman and Townsend indices both highlight similar pockets of deprivation and disadvantage throughout Warwickshire. These are not only in the north of the County, but in Warwick, Leamington and Stratford- on-Avon as well.

North Warwickshire doesn’t appear to feature as significantly within the Jarman Index as one might suspect based upon other health related indicators (for example long term limiting illness, life expectancy). This may in part be due to the specific components of the original Jarman Index, for example non-white ethnicity and number of migrants, none of which are statistically significant characteristics of North Warwickshire.

Initiatives to reduce levels of deprivation across Warwickshire, such as the Pride in Camp Hill project, will continue. In particular, attempts must be made to reduce the disparities that currently exist within the County.

Further Information

For further information about deprivation and disadvantage in Warwickshire please visit our website www.warwickshire.gov.uk/deprivation. Alternatively, you can contact the Research Unit on 01926 412775 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 53 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

SOCIAL PARTICIPATION

Description

Voluntary activity and participation in social and community groups promotes social inclusion and benefits both those taking part and the recipients.

Through its Best Value User Satisfaction Survey, the County Council asks residents if they have been actively involved in a community or voluntary group or activity over the past twelve months.

Performance

More than one quarter of respondents to the survey reported that they had been actively involved with at least one local community or voluntary organisation in the past twelve months. This figure is virtually unchanged from the results of the 2003 survey, but with some significant fluctuations at District level.

Figure 2.4; Percentage of residents actively involved with at least one community or voluntary organisation in the past twelve months, 2000 – 2004

40% 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 35%

30%

25%

20%

15%

10%

0% North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire Bedworth -on-Avon

Source: Warwickshire County Council Best Value User Satisfaction Surveys.

Between 2003 and 2004, only Warwick District demonstrated an increase in social participation from 25% to 31%. Participation in Rugby Borough fell from 27% to 23%.

Outlook

This is the fifth time that residents have been asked about their participation in community and voluntary groups. The County Council will continue to ask the same question each year in similar surveys, enabling the monitoring of trends over time.

Further Information

For more information about the results from the County Council’s Best Value User Satisfaction Survey contact Louise Richards in the Chief Executive’s Department on (01926 736124) or email [email protected]. Alternatively, email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 54 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

COMMUNITY PRIORITIES

Description

The County Council’s Best Value User Satisfaction Survey asks residents to choose five factors that make somewhere a good place to live, and five factors that most need improving in their local area.

Performance

Residents in all five Districts chose a low level of crime as the most important factor in making somewhere a good place to live, followed by good health service provision. Countywide, affordable housing was placed third but within some Districts clean streets and shopping facilities were also identified.

Figure 2.5; The three most important factors making somewhere a good place to live, by District, 2004

What would you say is the most important factor in making somewhere a good place to live

Factor 1 % Factor 2 % Factor 3 %

North Warwickshire Low level of crime 65 Health Services 61 Clean streets 37 Nuneaton & Bedworth Low level of crime 72 Health Services 53 Clean streets 42 Rugby Low level of crime 70 Health Services 60 Shopping facilities 35 Stratford-on-Avon Low level of crime 64 Health Services 62 Affordable decent housing 39 Warwick Low level of crime 69 Health Services 58 Affordable decent housing 36 Warwickshire Low level of crime 68 Health Services 58 Affordable decent housing 36

Source: Warwickshire County Council Best Value User Satisfaction Survey 2004.

In terms of what most needs improving, the main priority across the County is the level of crime. However, only within two Districts does this appear in the top three priorities. Activities for teenagers is now the second highest rated issue within the County for improvement and appears within the top three priorities in four of Warwickshire’s five Districts. Traffic congestion no longer appears within the County’s top three priorities but has become a more important issue within Warwick District. Public transport remains an issue within the more rural Stratford-on-Avon District and also this year within North Warwickshire.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 55 Figure 2.6; The three things that most need improving, by District, 2004

What would you say most needs improving in your local area

Factor 1 % Factor 2 % Factor 3 %

North Warwickshire Activities for teenagers 51 Public transport 35 Clean streets 33 Nuneaton & Bedworth Low level of crime 56 Activities for teenagers 42 Clean streets 36 Rugby Low level of crime 57 Activities for teenagers 36 Traffic congestion 33 Stratford-on-Avon Affordable decent housing 49 Public transport 40 Traffic congestion 37 Warwick Traffic congestion 37 Affordable decent housing 36 Activities for teenagers 33 Warwickshire Low level of crime 41 Activities for teenagers 38 Affordable decent housing 34

Source: Warwickshire County Council Best Value User Satisfaction Survey 2004.

Outlook

This is the second year that the County Council has asked these questions in Best Value User Satisfaction Surveys. It will continue to ask residents for their views on community priorities enabling us to identify trends. The results will help agencies to identify areas for intervention and priority.

Further Information

For more information about the results from the County Council’s Best Value User Satisfaction Survey contact Louise Richards in the Chief Executives Department 01926 416124 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 56 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

COMMUNITY WELL-BEING

Description

The overall sense of satisfaction that residents have with local life provides a useful indicator of community well-being.

The County Council’s Best Value User Satisfaction Survey asks residents whether they are satisfied or dissatisfied with their neighbourhood as a place to live. The 2004 survey was the fifth year that this information had been collected, and future surveys will continue to monitor trends.

Performance

More than 80% of Warwickshire residents are happy with their neighbourhood as a place to live. A much smaller proportion, 8%, stated that they are dissatisfied with their neighbourhood. There are some variations at District level, illustrated below.

Figure 2.7; Satisfaction with Your Neighbourhood as a Place to Live

100% 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

80%

60%

40%

20%

Percentage of residents satisfied with their neighbourhood as a place to live North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Source: Warwickshire County Council Best Value User Satisfaction Surveys.

The percentage of residents who were satisfied with their neighbourhood as a place to live increased slightly between 2003 and 2004 to almost 83%. Satisfaction levels continue to be higher in the south of the County, but the highest rate in any district since 2000 was recorded in North Warwickshire, which increased by 12 percentage points to almost 90%. Next year’s results will help determine whether this is a statistical blip or a sign of more significant change. Stratford-on-Avon District recorded a decrease of two percentage points, but satisfaction in Rugby Borough, Nuneaton & Bedworth and Warwick increased slightly.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 57 Outlook

Satisfaction has increased over the past five years in four of the five Districts, the exception being Stratford-on-Avon. The County Council will continue to ask residents their views on their neighbourhoods each year in similar surveys.

Further Information

For further information about the results from the County Council’s Best Value User Satisfaction Survey contact Louise Richards in the Chief Executive’s Department on (01926 416124). Alternatively, email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 58 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

FEAR OF CRIME

Description

Several consultation exercises have illustrated that fear of crime and disorder is one of the most important factors influencing the quality of life of residents in Warwickshire. The County Council’s User Satisfaction Survey includes a number of questions about the fear of crime.

Performance

Residents were asked how worried they were about three different types of crime – burglary, car crime and physical violence from a stranger. Countywide, fear of domestic burglary was highest, followed by car crime then violent crime. Two of the three figures were down on last year’s results, and all three are lower than the 2000 baseline figures.

Figure 2.8; Fear of Crime by District, 2001 – 2004

Percentage of respondents either ‘very worried’ or ‘fairly worried’ about… … having their home … being physically … having their car District/Borough broken into and attacked by strangers stolen something stolen 2001 2002 2003 2004 2001 2002 2003 2004 2001 2002 2003 2004 North Warwickshire 74% 69% 71% 61% 44% 50% 45% 39% 65% 65% 63% 54% Nuneaton &Bedworth 69% 73% 76% 70% 56% 61% 53% 56% 64% 63% 57% 61% Rugby 60% 69% 74% 69% 50% 48% 49% 53% 53% 59% 62% 61% Stratford-on-Avon 52% 56% 59% 55% 36% 39% 37% 34% 49% 53% 48% 44% Warwick 60% 59% 54% 56% 46% 46% 37% 43% 57% 55% 46% 45% Warwickshire 62% 65% 66% 62% 46% 49% 44% 45% 56% 58% 54% 52%

Source: Warwickshire County Council Best Value User Satisfaction Surveys.

Fear of crime is generally higher in the north of the County, particularly the fear of domestic burglary. The geographical differences in the fear of crime match fairly closely with the actual distribution of crime. However, fear of crime remains unnecessarily high and further work is required to demonstrate to residents that Warwickshire is one of the safest places to live.

Fear of crime varies significantly among different age groups, with the fear of being a victim of crime often bearing little resemblance to the real level of risk. A good example of this is violent crime, where fear of crime is greatest among the older age groups yet only 1% of victims are aged above 65.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 59 Figure 2.9; Residents worried about being the victim of crime by age, 2004 e 18 - 34 35 - 49 50 - 64 65+ 80

0 Percentage of residents worried about being a victim crim Domestic Burglary Violent Crime Vehicle Crime Source: Warwickshire County Council Best Value User Satisfaction Survey 2004.

Fear of being a burglary victim has levelled out across different age groups compared with previous years. Fear within the older groups is still higher but has reduced from 2003 whilst amongst younger age groups it has increased.

Fear of having a vehicle stolen increases with age, peaking in the 50 – 64 age band. Reduction in car ownership within the oldest age group may well explain the lower rate for that group.

The British Crime Survey asks similar questions to those asked in the Warwickshire survey. Levels of fear of crime in Warwickshire during 2003/2004 were almost identical to the national averages.

Outlook

In April 2005, the five District-based Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnerships launched new three-year strategies. Included in all five strategies is the aim to reduce the fear of crime. The partnerships include the Police, Councils and a range of other agencies, all of whom will be working to help make residents feel safer in Warwickshire.

Further Information

For more information about the results from the County Council’s Best Value User Satisfaction Survey contact Louise Richards in the Chief Executive’s Department (01926 416124). For more details on the fear of crime information contact Spencer Payne in the Research Unit (01926 418645). Alternatively, email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 60 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

RECORDED CRIME LEVELS

Description

The recorded crime information presented here is provided by Warwickshire Police, and concentrates on the three ‘high volume’ crime types; domestic burglary, vehicle crime and violent crime. Crime and disorder reduction in Warwickshire involves significant levels of partnership activity, with the consistent objective of continuing to keep Warwickshire one of the safest places to live, work and visit.

Changes to the way violent crime is recorded had some impact on figures between 2001/02 and 2003/04.

Performance

Between April 2004 and March 2005, a total of 43,131 crimes were recorded in Warwickshire. This represents a decrease of 2,583 or 5.6% on the preceding twelve months.

All Districts show a fall from last year with North Warwickshire having the largest reduction, of 18%.

Figure 2.10; Recorded Crime Rates 2003/04 – 2004/05

All Domestic Violent Vehicle District/Borough Crimes Burglary Crime Crime 03/04 04/05 03/04 04/05 03/04 04/05 03/04 04/05 North Warwickshire 88.3 72.3 15.5 11.3 13.5 10.3 18.7 14.0 Nuneaton & Bedworth 107.0 106.5 20.7 17.1 20.4 19.2 17.1 16.7 Rugby 101.9 93.9 16.7 16.5 14.4 15.3 16.5 14.8 Stratford-on-Avon 66.6 63.1 7.8 6.4 10.5 9.2 9.6 9.7 Warwick 84.1 80.8 14.2 10.7 14.9 15.1 11.6 10.5 Warwickshire 89.2 84.1 14.9 12.4 15.0 14.2 14.2 13.0 West Midlands 113.0 100.0 19.3 14.3 23.6 23.0 17.0 13.0 England & Wales 113.0 103.0 18.2 14.4 21.1 22.0 16.9 14.0

Rates are per 1000 population except domestic burglary (per 1000 households). Source: Warwickshire Police.

All three categories of crime show reductions on last year except increases of 6% and 1% in violent crime in Rugby and Warwick respectively, and a 1% increase in vehicle crime in Stratford-on-Avon District.

Domestic burglaries reduced by 16% during 2004/05 and violent crime has fallen by 5%. Vehicle crime fell by 8% and the current level is now 31% lower than that recorded six years ago.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 61 Figure 2.11; Recorded Crime Rates 2002/03 – 2003/04

20 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05

Crimes per 1000 population/households 0 Domestic Burglary Vehicle Crime Violent crime

Source: Warwickshire Police, Warwickshire County Council. Rates are per 1000 population/households as appropriate.

There were significant changes to the way violent crime was recorded in 2001/2002, making comparisons difficult. Figures for 2004/05 are now comparable with the previous year.

Outlook

In April 2005, the five District-based Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnerships launched new three-year strategies. All five strategies set targets for the crime types discussed here, along with a range of other priority areas identified in audits and consultation exercises. The Partnerships include the Police, Councils and a range of other agencies, all of whom will be working to help make Warwickshire an even safer place to be.

Further Information

For more information about the recorded crime figures contact Spencer Payne in the Research Unit on 01926 418645. Alternatively email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 62 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

DISORDER INCIDENTS

Description

In addition to monitoring levels of crime, Warwickshire Police collect figures on disorder incidents. Disorder incidents are events that are not actual crimes, but nevertheless add to general dissatisfaction with an area and compound fear of crime levels. Various consultation exercises have illustrated that incidents such as nuisance youths, noise nuisance, neighbour disputes and other forms of anti-social behaviour all have a significant impact upon quality of life. It is important to note that the figures presented here reflect the number of calls made to Warwickshire Police, not necessarily the true level of disorder.

Performance

Levels of recorded disorder appear to be increasing again after levelling off slightly last year, following three consecutive years of increases. This may be a reflection of lower tolerance levels, as well as real changes in the level of nuisance behaviour.

Figure 2.12; Community Disorder Incidents, rate per 1000 population 2000/01 – 2004/05

%Change District/Borough 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2003/04 –2004/05 North Warwickshire 34.6 41.3 45.1 42.2 43.0 + 2% Nuneaton &Bedworth 53.7 59.9 62.0 58.8 70.7 + 20% Rugby 40.6 46.7 52.7 52.3 57.2 + 9% Stratford-on-Avon 23.4 27.3 29.1 32.1 35.5 + 1% Warwick 39.7 43.8 51.1 47.1 50.4 + 7% Warwickshire 38.8 44.0 48.4 46.8 52.1 + 11%

Source: Warwickshire Police.

Levels of disorder incidents within Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough have increased by 20%, followed by Rugby with an increase of 9%. The other three Districts all show a slight increase from last year.

An increasing proportion of disorder incidents involve nuisance youths. Five years ago, nuisance youth incidents made up less then one third of all disorder incidents. During 2004/2005, this had risen to almost 48%. The number of nuisance youth incidents has increased from 6,700 in 1999/2000 to more than 12,900 during 2004/05.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 63 Figure 2.13; Specific Disorder Incident Rates 1999/00 – 2004/05

1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05

10 Rate per 1000 Population

0 Nuisance Youths Public Disturbances Domestic Incidents

Source: Warwickshire Police, Warwickshire County Council.

These three incident types account for more than two thirds of all disorder incidents.

Outlook

In April 2005, the five District-based Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnerships launched new three-year strategies. All five strategies will aim to reduce disorder incidents, often with a particular emphasis on the type of incident prevalent in their area. The partnerships include the Police, Councils and a range of other agencies, all of whom will be working to help make Warwickshire a safer place and to improve the quality of life of residents.

Further Information

For more information about the recorded incident figures contact Spencer Payne in the Research Unit (01926 418645). Alternatively, email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 64 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

SUBSTANCE MISUSE

Description

In Warwickshire, the drugs agenda is co-ordinated and managed by the Drug Action Team, a multi-agency team made up of the County Council, District and Borough Councils, NHS Primary Care Trusts, Police and Probation Service. The work of the Drug Action Team is primarily to tackle illicit drugs, though it is recognised that alcohol is also a substance that is misused. The National Treatment Agency estimates that there are 2,500 – 3,000 problematic drug users in Warwickshire, however this figure is based on a mathematical formula used by researchers to estimate figures nationwide. Warwickshire- specific research is being planned during 2005/6 and will hopefully produce a more robust figure.

The Swanswell Trust provides a Community Alcohol Service (CAS) across Coventry and Warwickshire. This service provides the first point of contact for assessment and treatment for people with alcohol related problems. Services are provided from the Trust’s own offices and/or in partnership with Primary Care (GPs) and in other community settings. As well as having staff skilled in dealing with alcohol related issues, the Service has specialist Community Nurses from the South Warwickshire Primary Care Trust linked into these services who can provide additional health related expertise from their own professional training.

Performance

Drugs Misuse

There are a number of different types of drug offence. The two main offences are trafficking and possession. The number of drug offences fell in 2004/05 after four years of increases. There could be a number of reasons for this. For example, the number of people in Warwickshire in treatment has increased which may explain why the number of offences has fallen.

Figure 2.14; Number of recorded drug offences in Warwickshire 2000/01 – 2004/05

%Change District/Borough 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2003/04- 2004/05 North Warwickshire 67 69 95 155 + 63% Nuneaton & Bedworth 139 213 209 150 - 28% Rugby 232 245 189 252 + 33% Stratford-on-Avon 112 119 291 221 - 24% Warwick 121 116 160 136 - 15% Warwickshire 671 762 944 914 - 3%

Source: Warwickshire Police.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 65 A national survey conducted during 2002/03 showed that Warwickshire does not have a particularly high proportion of drug offences compared to other areas in England and Wales. For example, in Dyfed-Powys in Wales, drug offences accounted for 28% of all arrests of adults aged over 21 for notifiable offences. In Warwickshire, drug offences only accounted for 7% of all such arrests. (Source: Home Office Report 17/03)

There is a strong link between crime and drugs, as many users need to resort to crime to pay for their habit. To break the cycle between crime and drugs every effort is made to get users into treatment. For this reason, the Drug Action Team monitors the number of users in drug treatment.

In 2004/05, Warwickshire was set a target by the National Treatment Agency to have 1,000 people in treatment. Warwickshire met this target by having 1,021 people in treatment. This is the second year in a row that numbers in treatment have increased.

Figure 2.15; Number of people in drug treatment in Warwickshire 2000/01 2004/05

1200 Number of People in Drug Treatment

1000

800

600

Number of People 400

200

0 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 Source: National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS).

Alcohol Misuse

During 2004/05 the Community Alcohol Service dealt with more than 1,400 clients resident in Warwickshire.

Clients were located across the whole County, although the highest numbers were in Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough and Warwick District. Taking account of different population sizes, the highest rates were attached to Nuneaton & Bedworth and Rugby Boroughs.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 66 Figure 2.16; Clients with Alcohol Related Problems, 2002/03 –2004/05

Rate per 1000 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 population (04/05) North Warwickshire 90 118 119 1.9 Nuneaton & Bedworth 278 312 372 3.1 Rugby 228 249 248 2.8 Stratford-on-Avon 153 134 215 1.9 Warwick 272 267 348 2.6 Not known/recorded 72 160 142 - Warwickshire 1,093 1,240 1,444 2.8

Source: Swanswell Trust. Figures relate to users only.

During 2004/2005, 63% of clients were male. Although clients from most age groups have been in contact with the service, there is a concentration around the 30 – 50 age band. The graph below illustrates the distribution of clients across different age groups, with a comparison with the general Warwickshire population. It illustrates that all age groups between 20 and 60 are relatively over-represented in terms of service clients.

Figure 2.17; Clients with Alcohol Related Problems by Age, 2004/2005

20% General Population

Alcohol Service Users

15%

10% Percentage of Total

0% 0 - 5 - 10 - 15 - 20 - 25 - 30 - 35 - 40 - 45 - 50 - 55 - 60 - 65 - 70- 75 - 80+ 4 9 14 19 24 29 34 39 44 49 54 59 64 69 74 79

Source: Swanswell Trust, Office for NationalAge Group Statistics (ONS).

In terms of assessment results, the majority of those clients for whom information is collected did attend an assessment appointment and will have been assisted accordingly. However, in 2004/05, 16% of clients did not undergo assessments and may not be receiving the support they need. The main reasons for this are cancellations and non-attendance.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 67 Outlook

In 2005/06 Warwickshire’s Community Safety Partnership and Drug Action Team will spend approximately £5 million on tackling drugs in Warwickshire. Some of the money will go towards providing treatment, some of the money will go towards community safety and criminal justice schemes and some of the money will go towards drug education and awareness, in particular targeting education at young people.

Warwickshire now has in place a joint commissioner for alcohol. This post has a responsibility for coordinating a task group across the health, social care and voluntary sectors, and Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnerships, to develop a cohesive alcohol strategy for Warwickshire in line with the National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy. This will involve reviewing existing provision and identifying priorities within the strategy to take forward. A specific element will be joint working to reduce the level of alcohol-related violent crime.

‘Choosing Health’, the Government’s public health White Paper, indicates that in 2007/08 and thereafter there will be dedicated funding available to those areas in greatest need. For example, North Warwickshire as a designated Spearhead PCT will receive extra funding.

Further Information

For more information about substance misuse in Warwickshire please contact Heather Kelly at the Drug Action Team (01926 746807). Alternatively, email [email protected] or visit the DAT website, www.wdat.org.uk

For more information about the Swanswell Trust visit their website www.swanswelltrust.org, email rugbyadmin@swanswelltrust or phone 01788 565970.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 68 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

YOUTH OFFENDING

Description

Warwickshire’s Youth Justice Plan covers the period April 2004 to March 2006, setting out medium term plans to tackle youth crime and anti-social behaviour by young people. It is designed to meet performance indicators published by the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, several of which are shared with partner agencies or are complementary to other County strategies.

Performance

During 2004, 968 young people aged 10-17 years who live in Warwickshire were notified to the Youth Offending Team (YOT) in relation to 1,977 crimes. This represents 1.8% of the 10-17 year old population of 51,325 in Warwickshire.

Forty three young people committed 23% of known youth crime in Warwickshire. Criminal damage and theft each accounted for 29% of the total. Other offence types included violent offences (17%), road traffic offences (19%), vehicle theft (5%) and drug offences (4%).

Local priorities for Warwickshire over the forthcoming year are to prevent offending and to reduce re-offending with the following targets being set:

• Reduce year-on-year the number of first time entrants to the youth justice system by identifying children and young people at risk of offending or involvement in anti-social behaviour.

• Achieve a 5% reduction in re-offending rates by 2005 with respect to pre-court, first tier penalties, community penalties and custodial sentences, based on the 2001 baseline.

Prevention

Since 2001 there has been a 7% reduction in the numbers of young people involved in the criminal justice system and a 16% reduction in the number of offences committed by them.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 69 Figure 2.18; Young Offenders 2001 – 2004

2001 2004 Reduction New entrants into the youth justice system -Reprimands /Final warnings n/a 695 (target 5%) -First time direct to court n/a 85 (target 5%) Total 780 Total number of young people in the youth justice system (pre -court + 1,028 956 7% court) Offences committed – excluding breach of court order 2,169 1,819 16%

Source: Warwickshire Youth Offending Team.

Reduction in Re-offending

Of the 956 young people who were formally involved in the youth justice system in 2004, 780 were subject either to a reprimand, final warning or were one of 85 who were charged straight to court without prior police action. It can therefore be assumed that 176 young people had at some time previously appeared in court.

Figure 2.19; Re-offending

Baseline 2004 outturn 2005/2006 target 2001 cohort 2002 cohort 2003 cohort % re-offending % re-offending % re-offending after 24 months after 24 months after 24 months

Pre-Court 32.4 36.8 30.7 First Tier penalties 59.6 74.2 56.6 Community penalties 75.0 80.0 71.2 Custody 75.0 80.0 71.2 Average 60.5 67.7 57.5

Source: Warwickshire Youth Offending Team.

During the past year, more than 82% of Final Warnings were supported by an intervention, exceeding the target of 80%. The level of custodial sentences was 4.75% of all court sentences keeping well below the target of a maximum of 6%.

Another area of progress in the past year relates to the use of Restorative Justice Processes. In 2004, 95% of identified victims of youth crime were offered the opportunity to participate in restorative processes. Of those, 38% did take part and were highly satisfied with the process.

Intensive Supervision and Surveillance programmes were further developed during 2004 with the Youth Offending Team achieving 95% of their target for young people starting on a programme during the period.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 70 Outlook

Working with other criminal justice agencies the Youth Offending Team has continued to meet the national target of reducing delays in the time from arrest to sentence of 71 days or less. The Team has made strides towards further improving its joint business processes, having moved into the purpose built Criminal Justice Centre in Nuneaton with a similar development planned for the south of the county where, as in Nuneaton, YOT will be accommodated with the Courts, Police, CPS, Probation and Victim and Witness Services.

Key objectives for the forthcoming year are the continued development of the Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme; continuation of the work started with the Local Education Authority, Learning & Skills Council and ConneXions to improve education, training and employment opportunities for young people who are supervised by YOT; the more systematic use of offending behaviour programmes; a reduction in the use of custodial or secure remands, and a further increase in restorative justice processes.

The YOT will spend £2,364,000 on Youth Justice Services during the financial year 2005/06. This includes partnership and external funding with a total of £507,000 from the Youth Justice Board.

Further Information

For more details on YOT, contact Diane Johnson, Head of the Youth Offending Service. Phone 01926 416204 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 71 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

PRE-SCHOOL PROVISION

Description

The continuation and expansion of pre-school provision is a key component of the County Council’s agenda for promoting lifelong learning and personal development. This indicator examines the percentage of 3-year-olds in funded pre-school placements.

Performance

During 2004/05, all 3-year-olds were able to take up a funded pre-school place during the term following their third birthday if their parents required one. The places are available with Local Education Authority (LEA), private, independent and voluntary providers. Children receiving early education follow the six areas of learning covered by the Foundation Stage of the National Curriculum.

Figure 2.20; Percentage of 3-year-olds in funded statutorily defined pre-school placements as a proportion of the year group population 2000/01 – 2004/05

120 % of 3-year-olds Target 100

Percentage of 3-year-olds 20

0 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05

Source: Warwickshire County Council Education Department.

The District figures are illustrated in Figure 2.21. The range in figures is related to the method of measurement. The LEA figures are based on local authority capacity but the Nursery Grant figures indicate take-up of grants, which could be used with other providers. The grant currently provides for up to five 2½ hour nursery education sessions per week. Hence, some areas have figures in excess of 100%. The Stratford-on-Avon performance of 83.4% is due to the level of LEA provision in the area. Parental choice could also have an impact on the take-up of Nursery Grant in Stratford-on-Avon. It should be noted that places in Local Education Authority Nurseries are funded by occupancy.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 72 Figure 2.21; Percentage of 3-year-olds in funded statutorily defined pre-school placements as a proportion of the year group population 2004/05 by District

150 % of 3-year-olds 2004/2005 target

120

Percentage of 3-year-olds 30

0 North Nuneaton Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire & Bedworth on-Avon

Source: Warwickshire County Council Education Department.

Outlook

The LEA will continue to monitor early education funded places for 3-year-olds to ensure that the entitlement to a free early years education place for every child in the school term following his/her third birthday, whose parents want one, is met. There are proposed changes to the provision of Nursery Education Grant, these are:

• From 2006 the minimum free entitlement will be extended to 12.5 hours a week for 38 weeks (currently available for 33 weeks only)

• From 2007 an increased free entitlement of 15 hours a week (currently 12.5 hours per week) for 38 weeks, on the way to a longer term aim of 20 hours a week for 38 weeks

• Parents will have more flexibility to use the free entitlement across a minimum of three days.

Further Information

The County Council’s Early Years Service, based in the Education Department, can provide further information. Telephone Anne Roberts on 01926 418135 or email [email protected]. For information on the availability of all types of childcare including childminders, pre-schools and day nurseries and for early education funding details please contact the Warwickshire Children’s Information Service 08450 90 80 44 (local rate) or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 73 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

KEY STAGE ATTAINMENT

Description

Each year the County Council’s Education Department monitors the achievement levels amongst pupils in Warwickshire’s schools. The three indicators focused upon here are:

• % pupils achieving Level 4 and above in the Key Stage 2 English test

• % pupils achieving Level 4 and above in the Key Stage 2 Maths test

• % pupils achieving at least Level 5 in English, Maths and Science at Key Stage 3.

Performance

In Key Stage 2 English, all districts/boroughs have recorded an increase in attainment apart from Warwick District, which remains at the same level as last year. Nuneaton & Bedworth and North Warwickshire have levels below the national average. Rugby Borough recorded the highest increase of four percentage points to 81%.

In Key Stage 2 Maths, there was a similar increase in attainment across the County apart from Warwick District, which recorded a reduction in levels for 2004. North Warwickshire’s level of 75% is now above that of the national average (74%). Both North Warwickshire and Nuneaton & Bedworth have recorded an increase of four percentage points from 2003 after three years when the levels were not improving.

Figure 2.22; Percentage of Pupils Achieving Level 4 and above in Key Stage 2 English and Maths in 2001 – 2004

% of pupils achieving Level 4 and above District/Borough English Maths 2001 2002 2003 2004 2001 2002 2003 2004 North Warwickshire 75 75 74 77 71 71 71 75 Nuneaton &Bedworth 70 69 73 75 66 69 68 71 Rugby 77 79 77 81 69 76 75 77 Stratford-on-Avon 82 80 83 85 77 79 78 81 Warwick 77 78 80 80 75 80 81 77 Warwickshire 76 75 77 80 72 75 75 77 England 75 75 75 78 71 73 73 74

Source: Warwickshire County Council, DfES.

Attainment levels are higher in the south of the County. Stratford-on-Avon (85%) has the highest Key Stage 2 English (Level 4 and above) attainment and also the highest Key Stage 2 Maths attainment of 81%, both seven percentage points above the national average.

All districts, apart from Warwick District, showed an increase in the levels of pupils attaining Level 5 in all three subjects (English, Maths and Science) at Key Stage 3.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 74 Since 2001, there has been an overall improvement in this indicator with both Nuneaton & Bedworth and Stratford-on-Avon increasing by twelve percentage points and North Warwickshire by ten percentage points. Warwick District, after an increase of four percentage points in 2003, has fallen to 63% which is now just below the Warwickshire average.

Figure 2.23; Percentage of Pupils Achieving at least level 5 in English, Maths and Science at Key Stage 3 in 2001 – 2004

% achieving at least a Level 5 in all District three subjects 2001 2002 2003 2004 North Warwickshire 48 54 55 58 Nuneaton &Bedworth 46 48 56 58 Rugby 60 62 64 67 Stratford-on-Avon 61 68 70 73 Warwick 61 61 65 63 Warwickshire 55 58 62 64

Source: Warwickshire County Council, DfES.

Compared to other areas in England, Warwickshire continues to perform at above average levels. In 2004, the proportion of Warwickshire pupils obtaining at least Level 5 in Key Stage 3 English was 76%. This compares to 71% nationally. The same applies for Warwickshire’s Key Stage 3 Maths and Science attainment levels where County percentages are respectively three and six percentage points above the average for England.

Further Information

The Education Department’s Strategic Information Management Unit can provide further information on educational performance in the County. Telephone 01926 418165, email [email protected] or visit the website www.warwickshire.gov.uk/leastrategicplan

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 75 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

GCSE RESULTS

Description

Each year the County Council’s Education Department monitors achievement levels amongst pupils aged 15 at the start of the academic school year. The indicator examined here is the percentage of 15-year-olds who gained five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C.

Performance

There has been further improvement in the proportion of 15-year-olds achieving five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C.

Figure 2.24; Percentage of 15 year-olds who gained five or more GCSEs/GNVQs at grades A* to C

80% 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0% North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire England

% of 15-year-olds gaining 5+ GCSEs/GNVQs at grades A* - C Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon Average

Source: Warwickshire County Council, DfES.

In 2004, all Districts apart from Warwick recorded an improvement on the 2003 results. Rugby (59%), Stratford-on-Avon (67%) and Warwick (57%) all have performance levels above the national average. North Warwickshire (45%) and Nuneaton & Bedworth (43%) are below the England average (54%).

Taking Warwickshire as a whole, the year-on-year trend has been improvement, in line with national trends.

Further Information

The Education Department’s Strategic Information Management Unit can provide further information on educational performance in the County. Telephone 01926 418165 or visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/leastrategicplan

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 76 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

UNAUTHORISED ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL

Description

Regular attendance at school is essential to a good education, and establishing regular attendance must be a high priority for schools, parents and pupils. Attendance problems arise for many reasons. They are often complex and require sensitive and professional handling. Not all unauthorised absence from school is necessarily linked to truancy, as schools may not authorise other reasons for absence, such as holidays during term time. Unauthorised absenteeism is usually considered in the context of sessions missed rather than the number of pupils.

Performance

During the academic year 2003/2004, the percentage of sessions missed through unauthorised absenteeism was 0.8% across secondary schools in Warwickshire. This compares to 1.1% across England. Rates are relatively unchanged from five years ago.

Figure 2.25; Unauthorised Absenteeism, Secondary Schools, by District

District/Borough Percentage unauthorised absence 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04

North Warwickshire 0.4% 0.4% 0.6% 1.6% 1.1% Nuneaton &Bedworth 1.1% 1.0% 1.1% 0.7% 0.8% Rugby 0.7% 0.5% 0.7% 0.4% 0.4% Stratford-on-Avon 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.6% Warwick 0.7% 0.8% 0.6% 0.8% 0.9% Warwickshire 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.8% 0.8%

Source: DfES, Warwickshire County Council Education Department.

In 2003/04 North Warwickshire had the highest unauthorised absenteeism rate, but this has fallen from last year’s figure, which was high due to a significant increase at one secondary school. Rugby Borough remains unchanged and now has the lowest rate of unauthorised absenteeism. Stratford-on-Avon increased slightly after being unchanged for four years. Nuneaton & Bedworth and Warwick also show slight increases from 2003/2003.

Outlook

Efforts will be made to reduce the level of unauthorised absenteeism at schools in Warwickshire. In particular, the Education Social Work Service will work in schools with children and teachers and also directly with families and children in the home. There will also be project work within schools and communities and assistance for schools with wider attendance issue.

Further Information

For more details and information on unauthorised absenteeism figures and related policy, contact the County Council Education Department on 01926 412264.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 77 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

SCHOOL LEAVER DESTINATIONS

Description

The Coventry & Warwickshire Destinations Index 2004 is produced by Connexions Coventry and Warwickshire, in association with the Learning and Skills Council Coventry & Warwickshire. A report on destinations has been produced annually since 1993. The analysis records the first destination of young people who completed their statutory education in 2004.

The Index provides a breakdown of destinations into seven broad categories based on education, employment and training status. The percentage of young people entering a programme of structured learning i.e. Continuing in Education, Training or Employment with Training, is an important measure of progress for the partner organisations of Connexions Coventry & Warwickshire, the Learning and Skills Council Coventry & Warwickshire, and the local education authorities of both Warwickshire County Council and Coventry City Council.

Performance

There has been a significant increase in the percentage of students recorded as Continuing in Education, compared to 2003. The rate of 75.8% is the highest ever achieved in Warwickshire and it compares favourably with the national rate of 73.3%. The introduction of Education Maintenance Allowances in the County during the academic year may possibly have made Further Education a more attractive option for some students. A decrease in the percentage entering training and employment is partly due to the increase in the percentage continuing in education and partly due to a difficulty in securing employment and training opportunities. The total rate of 93.3% for Positive Outcomes is also the highest ever recorded for Warwickshire. It appears, in many instances, that early follow-up by Connexions staff helped to maintain productive contact with young people and assisted in motivating them to enter a positive destination. The Connexions September Guarantee was operated again in 2004 and proved to be more successful in securing placements.

In 2004, particular emphasis was placed on tracking young people in order to avoid any loss of contact. This resulted in only 1.4% being recorded as Not Available Left Area, which compares favourably to the national result of 4.5%.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 78 Figure 2.26; Destinations Analysis 2003 – 2004

Status 2003 2004 Continuing in Education 72.8% 75.8% Government Supported Training 11.0% 7.0% Employment with Other Training 7.0% 9.1% Structured Learning 90.8% 91.9% Employment No Training Offered 1.6% 0.7% Voluntary & part-time 0.4% 0.6% Other Activities 2.0% 1.3% Positive Outcomes 92.8% 93.3% Not in Employment, Education or Training 5.5% 5.4% Not Available Left Area 1.6% 1.4% Negative Outcomes 7.2% 6.7% Total 100% 100% Cohort Size 6,554 6,223

Source: Connexions Coventry & Warwickshire.

Figure 2.27 provides information based on the home residence, by District, of the young people included in the survey, although they may have received their education in the area of another local authority. The highest rates for Continuing in Education and for total Positive Outcomes are to be found amongst the young people of Stratford-on-Avon District. The areas covered by North Warwickshire Borough and Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough have the highest rates of young people choosing a training or employment option. All areas recorded an increase in the rate for Continuing in Education compared to 2003.

Figure 2.27; Destinations Analysis by District 2004

North Nuneaton & Stratford- Sub Warwickshire Bedworth Rugby on-Avon Warwick County Region

Continuing in Education 71.3% 69.1% 74.5% 84.4% 78.7% 75.7% 75.5% Other Positive Outcomes 21.1% 22.3% 17.5% 12.3% 15.0% 17.6% 17.6% Total Positive Outcomes 92.5% 91.4% 92.0% 96.8% 93.7% 93.3% 93.1%

Negative Outcomes 7.5% 8.6% 8.0% 3.2% 6.3% 6.7% 6.9%

Source: Connexions Coventry & Warwickshire.

Outlook

There was a significant increase in the rate of young people recorded as Continuing in Education in 2004. The continuance of the Education Maintenance Allowance may help to sustain this high rate in 2005. The September Guarantee will again operate in 2005 with the aim of securing training opportunities for all those young people that require them. A new procedure, the Connexions Centralised Applications Process, is being piloted at selected schools in the Coventry & Warwickshire Sub-region in 2005. This will enable young people to access opportunities on-line. If successful this will be introduced throughout the Sub-region in 2006.

Further Information

Further information can be obtained from Terry Bigley at Connexions Coventry & Warwickshire. Phone 02476 707439 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 79 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

LIFELONG LEARNING

Description

Warwickshire County Council is striving to ensure that local people have every opportunity to access quality learning opportunities throughout their lives.

Libraries, museums, archives and the built and historic environments are educational resources for people of all ages and backgrounds. They also have the potential to engage adult learners, including those with basic skills needs, who do not find formal education attractive or accessible.

The County’s Adult and Community Learning Service provides adult education opportunities across a range of learning programmes.

The Council believes that lifelong learning enables local people to play active and positive roles within families and local communities as well as contributing to the cultural and economic well-being of the County. The services delivered aim to provide information, guidance, advice and access to learning for all sections of the community taking a holistic approach, by starting at birth and creating learning pathways throughout life.

Performance

Libraries and Information Service

Warwickshire Libraries and Information Service is the largest provider of free ICT to the community; its library access zones offer free access to the Internet, email, CD-Roms, word processing and other software, and access to E-Government and E-Learning through the Government funded Peoples Network.

Figure 2.28; Number of ‘Peoples Network’ PC Sessions

120 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05

100

Number of PC sessions (000's) 40

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Source: Warwickshire Library & Information Service.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 80 Peoples Network PC sessions have been increasing annually throughout the County and computers are now available in all venues enabling remote communities and disadvantaged groups, for example older people with the Silver Surfers Schemes, to access the Internet. The number of sessions has increased from 164,682 in 2002/03 to 404,163, an increase of 145%.

Nationally, in 2003/04 visits to public libraries increased for the second consecutive year, which is the first upturn in usage since the early 1990’s. However this is not mirrored by the book-borrowing rate which has not kept up with the increase in visits. In 2003/04 there was a 5% fall in the number of books borrowed within Warwickshire.

Figure 2.29; Numbers attending learning activities sessions at libraries

15000 Adult Adult Child Child 2003/04 2004/05 2003/04 2004/05

12000 s

9000

6000 Attendance at Activitie

3000

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon Source: Warwickshire Library and Information Service.

The number of activities being organised by libraries within the County has risen from 1,947 in 2002/03 to 4,287 in 2004/05. Figure 2.29 illustrates the numbers of adults and children that have attended the sessions over the last two years.

Heritage and Cultural Services

Heritage Education promotes active learning through information, advice, talks, activities and workshops for children and adults using the resources of the Museums and County Record Office. Workshops and activities are organised each holiday for children and families, curricular-based day visits and field trips arranged for schools, and a selection of workshops and activities held for adult groups using the Warwickshire Museum and the County Record Office.

Figure 2.30 illustrates the number of school pupils from each District that visited Warwickshire’s museums during the past four years. The ‘other’ category includes pupils from outside the County that visited our museums.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 81 Figure 2.30; Number of Pupils in School Visits to Warwickshire County Museums

District/Borough 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05

North Warwickshire 350 230 306 295 Nuneaton &Bedworth 601 753 888 1,084 Rugby 1,500 1,446 1,611 1,210 Stratford-on-Avon 1,658 2,402 1,699 1,606 Warwick 3,696 3,564 2,341 2,724 Warwickshire 7,805 8,395 6,845 6,919 Other 6,372 7,006 6,587 5,958

Total 14,177 15,401 13,432 12,877

Source: Warwickshire Heritage Education.

Overall, the number of pupils in school groups visiting Warwickshire Museums has fallen by 4% compared to 2003/04. This can be attributed partly to the reductions of class sizes and also to the recent closure of the Doll Museum in Warwick.

During 2003/04, some 3,100 people attended activities and events organised by Heritage Education. During 2004/05 this rose by 45% to 4,468 within 120 different groups.

Community Education

The Warwickshire Adult and Community Learning Service delivers a wide range of opportunities for lifelong learning including adult education and community learning programmes for anyone needing support with Literacy, Numeracy or English for speakers of other languages, family learning to support families with school age children and a wide range of ICT and computing programmes.

There are seven ICT Learning Centres in Warwickshire, which provide local communities with access to IT in general and the Internet. The centres are used to enable learning with opportunities for users to gain qualifications where appropriate.

The number of adults enrolling on to the Adult Education programmes during 2003/04 in Warwickshire was 5,652, with women making up 70% of the total. The number of adults aged over 60 totalled 2,673 (47%) with the majority taking part in the ICT programmes.

The rate of enrolments throughout the County varied with the highest rate in North Warwickshire (17.7%) and the lowest in Stratford-on-Avon (5.4%).

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 82 Figure 2.31; Adult Enrolment Rates per 1,000 Population, by District 2003/04

Rate per 1,000 population 5

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon

Source: Adult and Community Learning Service, Warwickshire County Council.

The highest numbers are enrolling on to the ICT courses, apart from in North Warwickshire where the Family Learning courses are proving the most popular.

Outlook

The Adult and Community Learning Service will continue to offer an increasing range of opportunities and will strive to increase the proportion of adults taking part in learning. Some of the key priorities for 2006 are to increase the percentage of learners achieving accreditation in ICT, Essential Skills and Family Literacy and Numeracy, to increase participation in Essential Skills, and to increase the breadth and quality of ICT provision. Under represented groups will be targeted and those in disadvantaged areas offered support to assist in their development.

Libraries and museums play a central role in an information and learning society, providing the resources and services for independent learning and free access to information. Libraries are located in communities and will continue to offer local people informal and formal ways of increasing their literacy and learning skills.

The increasingly successful year long programme of activities will continue where learners can learn in a fun or informal way to develop their own interests and improve their quality of life. A wide source of funding and partnerships will be sought to extend the service and enhance the learning activities.

A key area will be to identify learners (existing, potential and virtual) more effectively, identify their needs and how they might make better use of services in the future. The learning needs of non-users/potential learners, for example through the Citizens’ Panels, Area Learning Partnerships and focus groups will also need to be identified.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 83 Further Information

The Warwickshire Library and Information Service can be contacted on 01926 412550 or visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/libraries

The Heritage Education Team can be contacted on 01926 412034 or email heritage. [email protected]

For more details on the Warwickshire Adult and Community Learning Service contact Peter Sutton on 01926 738574 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 84 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

SATISFACTION WITH HEALTH SERVICES

Description

As part of the quality agenda set out in the NHS Plan there is an increased emphasis on involving the public in shaping the way the NHS works. This involves increased consultation with NHS users, for example through user satisfaction surveys.

This is the fourth year that the County Council’s Best Value User Satisfaction Survey asked residents of Warwickshire how satisfied they were with health services in their area.

Performance

Almost 67% of residents in Warwickshire were satisfied with the provision of health services in their local area. Around 16% were dissatisfied, leaving a net satisfaction level of more than 50%. This is up on last year’s figure by fourteen percentage points.

Figure 2.32; Percentage of residents satisfied with health services by District

80% 2001 2002 2003 2004

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

Percentage of residents satisfied 20%

10%

0% North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire Bedworth -on-Avon Source: Warwickshire County Council Public Satisfaction Surveys.

There have been increases in satisfaction levels across all parts of the County during 2004. Three of the five Districts currently have the highest satisfaction levels since data was first collected. In particular, satisfaction levels in Rugby have improved to reach a par with the two northern Boroughs.

There are some variations in satisfaction levels among different age groups. Satisfaction with health services increases with age, with the main users of the health service (those aged over sixty-five) displaying particularly high levels of satisfaction. Respondents aged under fifty held less strong views, with approximately one-fifth stating that they were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. Satisfaction levels improved for all age groups between 2003 and 2004.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 85 Figure 2.33; Percentage of residents satisfied with health services by age

90% 2001 2002 2003 2004 80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20% Percentage of residents satisfied

10%

0% 18 to 34 35 to 49 50 to 64 65 plus Source: Warwickshire County Council Public Satisfaction Surveys.

The survey also asked respondents whether they had a long-standing illness, disability or infirmity. Those who stated that they did have a long-term illness had slightly higher satisfaction levels than those who didn’t (70% compared to 66% respectively). Again, this suggests that those who regularly use the services have a higher level of satisfaction than the general public.

Outlook

All Primary Care Trusts and Acute Hospital Trusts now have a responsibility to survey their patients annually. Following this they are expected to take action to address areas where patients highlight dissatisfaction.

Further Information

For more information about the results from the County Council’s Best Value User Satisfaction Survey contact Louise Richards at Warwickshire County Council on 01926 736124. Alternatively, email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 86 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

OLDER PEOPLE HELPED TO LIVE AT HOME

Description

Supporting people at home helps to promote independence and social participation and can prevent a person needing more intensive care packages, residential care or hospital admission. This indicator measures the number of older people aged 65 or over helped to live at home per 1,000-population aged 65 or over.

Performance

In 2003/04 there were 6,438 people who were helped to live at home. In 2004/05 this figure had fallen to 5,122. This reduction was mainly due to a change by the Department of Health in the definition used to calculate the indicator. For example, the provision of low level preventative services, such as the direct meals service and safety initiatives for older people, have previously been included in this indicator but have now been excluded. This indicator now only reflects those people who have had a community care assessment and a care plan or statement of need.

The performance figure for helping older people to live at home during 2004/05 was 60.6 per 1,000 compared with 77.1 per 1,000 in 2003/04. The Social Services Department is confident that had the change in definition not have been applied, the outturn would have been at a similar figure to last year.

Figure 2.34; Numbers of older people helped to live at home (per 1,000 aged 65 plus) 2004/2005, by district

Population aged 65+ Estimated numbers District Rate per 1,000 (mid year 2003) helped at 31/03/05 North Warwickshire 9,700 495 51 (74) Nuneaton &Bedworth 18,200 1,234 68 (82) Rugby 14,500 883 61 (76) Stratford 21,200 1,045 49 (56) Warwick 21,100 1,465 69 (96) Warwickshire 84,700 5,122 61 (77)

Source: Warwickshire County Council Social Services Department (2003/2004 figures in brackets).

As performance figures are based on a snapshot they do not reflect the number of people helped to live at home over the full year. Rates per 1,000 population varied among Districts, ranging between 49 per 1,000 in Stratford-on-Avon District, up to 69 per 1,000 in Warwick District.

At the time of going to print, it is not possible to make comparisons with elsewhere for 2004/05. However, during 2003/04 the England average was 84 per 1,000 and the Shire Counties average 75 per 1,000. Without the change in definition this year for this indicator, it is estimated that Warwickshire provision would have been average for local authorities of the same type.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 87 Figure 2.35; Older people helped to live at home (per 1,000 aged 65 plus)

80 Rate per 1,000 77 75 70 73 71 69 71 60 61 57 50 50 45 40

Older people helped to live at home per 1,000 aged 65+ 0 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05

Source: Warwickshire County Council Social Services Department.

After gradual increases during the late 1990s, the rate of help given to the over 65 population levelled off at around 71 per 1,000, before returning to growth between 2002 and 2004. The 2004/05 rate is due to the change in definition of this indicator. The target for 2005/06 is 65 per 1,000.

Outlook

The policy of the Social Services Department is to give the greatest assistance to those most vulnerable and in need of care to enable them to maintain their independence at home. This will again be a priority in 2005/06 in order to further promote the independence of older people, with a target of 65 per 1,000. Those with lesser needs will be signposted to other services and/or receive services as a result of wider corporate and joint agency preventative strategies.

2005/06 sees the continuation of more innovation in creating capacity to respond flexibly to the needs of older citizens. This includes preventing hospital admission, and facilitating timely hospital discharge by further increasing assessment and transitional care provision, to enable more people to live independently in their own homes.

The externally provided Integrated Community Equipment Store (ICES) is also now fully operational and in 2005/06 there will be an increase in the number of people benefiting from ICES to further promote independence in their own homes.

Further Information

For more details on this indicator, and the provision of social services for the elderly population in general, contact Jon Reading on (01926 731079). Alternatively, email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 88 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

YEARS OF LIFE LOST

Description

‘Years of Life Lost’ is a useful indicator that measures premature mortality. It represents the years that have been ‘lost’ (i.e. not lived) by the population who have died before the age of 75. It is calculated by subtracting the age of death from the age of 75 (the life expectancy or standard age of death) for each person and adding these figures to obtain an overall figure of years lost. For example, a child dying at five years has lost 70 years of life, while someone dying at 70 has lost five years. It is useful to compare it with life expectancy, which is more influenced by deaths at older ages.

Performance

Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough has more years lost per 10,000 than the England average for both males and females, which is in line with other health measures. North Warwickshire, however, is above average for males, and Rugby for females. This may be due to chance variation, or it may indicate some local factor, which could be altered and warrants further investigation.

Figure 2.36; Average years of life lost per 10,000 population (up to the age of 75)

England Average 700 Males

600 All Persons

500 Females

400

300

200

Years of Life Lost per 10,000 Population 100

0 NW NB RG SOA WK NW NB RG SOA WK NW NB RG SOA WK

Source: Compendium of Clinical and Health Outcomes 2003, April 05 release.

Outlook

Warwickshire as a whole performs better than the national average on this measure and it is expected that there will be further improvement in the future.

Further Information

Further information about health statistics in Warwickshire is available from Rebecca Halliwell at the South Warwickshire Primary Care Trust, on behalf of the Warwickshire Public Health Network. Telephone 01926 493491, or e-mail rebecca.halliwell@ swarkpct.nhs.uk

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 89 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

LIFE EXPECTANCY

Description

Life expectancy has been chosen as one of the new national health inequalities targets. By 2010, the target is to reduce the difference between the best and worst areas in the country by ten per cent. Life expectancy is the number of years a baby born in a particular time and place would live, if it experienced the mortality rates of that time and place throughout its life.

Performance

Life expectancy within the County is lowest for both males and females in Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough and this is also below the national average. Other groups whose life expectancy falls below the national average are males in North Warwickshire and females within Rugby Borough. On average, the life expectancy of females is about four years longer than males within Warwickshire compared to five years in England.

Figure 2.37; Life Expectancy in Warwickshire and its Districts, 2001 – 2003

80 England average

76 Life Expectancy

70 NW NB RG SOA WK NW NB RG SOA WK Males Females Source: Compendium of Clinical and Health Outcomes 2003, April 05 release.

Outlook

It is expected that life expectancies will rise as death rates fall, but more effort will have to be targeted in the worst areas if the differences among Districts are to be narrowed.

Further Information

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 90 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

MORTALITY RATES

Description

Mortality rates (expressed as the number of deaths per 100,000 population) are used to monitor the health of the population. They are also proxy measures of social deprivation or morbidity and often become indicators of need for health or social care. As such they can be flawed. There are not always links between the conditions from which people die and those for which medical treatment or long term care are required. Similarly, a social group or geographical area with a higher than average proportion of elderly is likely to have a much higher mortality rate than one with a high proportion of young people.

In an attempt to at least overcome the latter issue age-standardised mortality rates can be used. These are rates based on an average age structure and allow for more meaningful comparison. This indicator is based on the years 2001-2003.

Performance

The mortality rate was highest for all persons within Nuneaton & Bedworth, 6% higher than for Warwickshire. This is a smaller difference than in previous years. Males in North Warwickshire also had a relatively high mortality rate.

Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick Districts continue to have the lowest mortality rates in the County.

Figure 2.38; Directly Age Standardised Mortality Rates (all causes) 2001-2003

1000 Males Female All Persons

800

600

400 Directly standardised mortality rate

200

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire England Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon Source: Compendium of Clinical and Health Outcomes 2003, April 05 release.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 91 Outlook

Mortality rates continue to fall slowly in all areas, though it would be unrealistic to expect a decrease in every year. The gap between the areas with highest and lowest rates was narrower in this period than in previous editions of the Quality of Life report, but more still needs to be done to reduce the inequalities.

Further Information

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 92 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

TEENAGE PREGNANCY

Description

Teenage pregnancy is an important public health issue, which can have adverse health and social consequences for mothers, their babies and families. It is also closely linked with the concept of social exclusion and is often intertwined with many other issues of deprivation and disadvantage. The United Kingdom has the highest rates of teenage pregnancies in Western Europe.

Conception statistics# for the under 18 population at local authority district level are published regularly. However, the Office for National Statistics have recently published ward level data for the period 2000-2002. The publication of ward level statistics for the period 2000-2002 may allow for the identification of more targeted interventions and associated services to be made in areas of greatest concern.

(# includes one or more live or still births (a maternity) or a legal abortion under the Abortion Act 1967. They do not include miscarriages or illegal abortions).

Performance

Over the period 1998-2003, both the absolute numbers and rates of conceptions to teenage girls have fallen with significant decreases in North Warwickshire, Rugby and Stratford-on-Avon District.

Figure 2.39; Conception Rates per 1000 Girls aged 15-17 by Local Authority District 1998-2003

2001-2003 District/Borough 1998-2000 2000-2002 2001-2003 percentage of conceptions that end in abortion North Warwickshire 46.0 35.5 38.5 55.6% Nuneaton &Bedworth 51.5 51.7 52.8 47.2% Rugby 46.0 40.0 37.0 52.8% Stratford -on-Avon 30.4 25.8 23.6 64.2% Warwick 36.0 35.4 34.2 54.2% Warwickshire 46.0 38.4 37.8 52.9% West Midlands 50.0 47.6 47.1 43.5% England &Wales 45.4 43.1 42.6 45.5%

Sources: Office for National Statistics and Teenage Pregnancy Unit.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 93 Figure 2.40; Absolute Counts of Teenage Conceptions by Ward 2000 – 2002

Number of Teenage Pregnancies 31 - 59

16 - 30

1 - 15

Based on the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. (C)Crown Copyright.All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings Warwickshire County Council, 100018285, 2005.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 94 Outlook

Teenage pregnancy has been identified as a target for health improvement by successive governments and in Warwickshire this commitment has been affirmed in several strategies, including the Warwickshire Teenage Pregnancy Strategy, and the forthcoming Warwickshire Strategic Partnership Plan 2005-2008. Reducing the rates of teenage pregnancy would lead to a number of desirable outcomes, however, it is difficult to achieve as there a wide range of underlying causes.

Further Information

For further information on this analysis and other issues relating to deprivation and disadvantage visit our website at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/deprivation or contact the Research Unit on 01926 412775 or e-mail [email protected]

For further information on Warwickshire’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy please contact Amy Barnes, the Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator on 01926 746831 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 95 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

SMOKING CESSATION

Description

The Department of Health’s ongoing ‘Don’t give up giving up’ campaign was launched in December 1999, as part of the Government’s initiative to encourage 1.5 million people to give up smoking by 2010.

Smoke Free Warwickshire Alliance is a multi-agency alliance committed to providing smoke free air, helping smokers to stop and promoting a tobacco free society. Warwickshire Stop Smoking Service is part of this alliance and is an NHS-funded service. Since it began in 2000 the Service has aimed to support smokers who are ready to stop smoking and has so far exceeded the targets it has been set.

Performance

The number of people still quit after four weeks of using the Warwickshire Stop Smoking Service has increased dramatically since 2000/01. The percentage increase is highest in the area covered by the Rugby Primary Care Trust, which has seen a rise of more than five-fold in this time period, followed by the South Warwickshire PCT (quadrupled) and the North Warwickshire PCT (almost tripled). The overall Warwickshire increase was from around 750 users to 3,250.

The largest increase on 2003/04 figures took place in the South Warwickshire PCT area, with 29% more people still quit after four weeks in 2004/05 than in the previous year.

Figure 2.41; Number of Service users still quit at four-week follow-up

3,500 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2004/05 target 3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500 Number of Service Users 1,000

500

0 North Warks PCT Rugby PCT South Warks PCT Warwickshire

Note: This is not the total number of people stopping smoking in Warwickshire as many smokers stop without the use of the Service.

Source: Warwickshire Stop Smoking Service.

The 2004/05 target figures were surpassed by all of the Warwickshire PCTs.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 96 As proportionally more people in deprived areas smoke, a key target for the Service has been to reach these smokers. Particular attention has been paid to monitoring whether services are reaching smokers on a low income. Comparing 2002/03 with 2001/02, it appears that the Service has improved in reaching more smokers in deprived groups. There was very little difference in the quit rate between the different social groups with an average of 50% still quit at the four-week follow-up.

According to the County Council’s 2004 Public Satisfaction Survey, there has been an increase in the number of ex-smokers across the County.

Figure 2.42; Average Number of Cigarettes Smoked, Warwickshire, 2003 & 2004

3,500 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2004/05 target 3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500 Number of Service Users 1,000

500

0 North Warks PCT Rugby PCT South Warks PCT Warwickshire Source: Warwickshire County Council User Satisfaction Survey 2004.

In 2004, 2.9% of respondents stated that they smoked twenty or more cigarettes per day. This was down on the 2003 figure of 3.9%. More information is required to determine whether this is representative of a sustained reduction in smoking levels.

In 2003, 56% of smokers stated that they would like to give up. In 2004 the comparative figure was 50%.

Figure 2.43; Percentage of smokers/non smokers, by District, 2004

100%

80% North Warwickshire Nuneaton & Bedworth Rugby 60% Stratford-on-Avon Warwick 40% Warwickshire Percentage of Respondents 20%

0% Non-smokers Smoke 1 - 19 per day Smoke 20+ per day Source: Warwickshire County Council User Satisfaction Survey 2004.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 97 Levels of smoking are highest in Nuneaton & Bedworth, with more than one in four residents smoking at least once per day. The lowest levels are in North Warwickshire, with around one in nine residents smoking at least once per day.

A similar proportion of men and women smoke, although a higher percentage of females have never smoked while more men have smoked in the past but have now given up. Of those who do smoke, men are more likely to smoke at least twenty cigarettes per day.

Figure 2.44; Cigarettes smoked by Age, 2004

100% 17 - 34 35 - 49 50 - 64 65+ All ages

80%

60%

40%

20% Percentage of Respondents

0% Non-smokers Smoke 1 - 19 per day Smoke 20+ per day Source: Warwickshire County Council User Satisfaction Survey 2004.

The available information suggests that younger people are more likely to smoke, although the youngest age group (17–34) is least likely to smoke more than twenty cigarettes per day. One in five people aged 17 to 34 smokes in Warwickshire, compared to one in eleven people aged 65 or over.

The West Midlands Regional Lifestyle Survey asked respondents if they spend time with people who do smoke. Nearly half of Warwickshire respondents say that they very rarely spend any time where there are people who are smoking. However, the remainder do spend time where there are people smoking, mainly in pubs or clubs.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 98 Figure 2.45; Percentage of respondents who spend time with people who smoke, Warwickshire, 2004

I very rarely spend time anywhere where people are smoking

I spend time in other places where there are people smoking

I spend time with people who are smoking in pubs and clubs

I spend time with people who are smoking in my workplace

I currently live with someone who smokes, but only outside the home

I currently live with someone who smokes in the home

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Percentage of Respondents

Outlook

In November 2004 the government published the Public Health White Paper, ‘Choosing Health’. Action is underway in Warwickshire to support the implementation of the national strategy, including promotion and support for the National Clean Air Award, the first national Award to recognise workplaces that protect staff from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

Targets and action plans for the Stop Smoking Service and Tobacco Control Programme have been developed to March 2008. Actions being implemented include the development of the Stop Smoking Service to reach hardened smokers and other ‘difficult to reach’ groups, review and development of the smoking policies in statutory organisations and an adoption of a wide-ranging strategy to reduce the effects of second-hand smoke.

Further Information

For further information on smoking cessation issues contact Jane Wright, Warwickshire Smoking Cessation Co-ordinator, on 0800 0852917 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 99 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

FIRES – DEATHS AND INJURIES IN ACCIDENTAL DWELLING FIRES

Description

Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service is engaged in improving quality of life through “reducing emergency calls, deaths, casualties and property losses due to fire, so lessening the impact on communities in Warwickshire”. Whilst the probability that there will be a fire in a specific dwelling in a given year is very low, on the occasions that a fire does occur it can clearly have a significant effect on the quality of life of the individual(s) concerned.

Performance

In 2004/05 there were 2,956 fires in Warwickshire, a reduction from 4,084 in 2003/04. As a result of these fires there were two deaths and 21 injuries within the County.

Figure 2.46; Death rate per 100,000 population in accidental dwelling fires 1996/97 –2004/05

England & Wales Warwickshire 1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2 Deaths per 100,000 Population

0.0 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05

Sources: 1996/97 – 2003/04 Fire Statistics and Research Section, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. 2004/05 Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service.

The number of deaths was the same as last year, two, but the number of non-fatal injuries in accidental dwelling fires decreased from 38 in 2003/04 to 21 in 2004/05. As illustrated in Figure 2.47, the number of injuries in accidental dwelling fires per 100,000 persons in Warwickshire is consistently below that for the whole of England and Wales.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 100 Figure 2.47; Injuries (non-fatal) per 100,000 population in accidental dwelling fires 1997/98 – 2004/05

25 England & Wales Warwickshire 20

5 Injuries per 100,000 population

0 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05

Sources: 1997/98 – 2003/04 Fire Statistics Monitor, ODPM. 2004/05 Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service.

Outlook

The majority of accidental fires in dwellings are preventable. The strategy of Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service is to educate people about how to reduce the risk of a fire in their home, but also what to do should they have a fire to reduce the risk of injury and the extent of the damage. This education is provided in many ways. The Fire & Rescue Service has a working partnership with schools, developing and providing (free of charge) schemes of work and resources to promote fire safety and arson awareness, together with an extensive programme of school visits throughout Primary and Secondary Schools in the County. There is also a project to fit free smoke alarms in the homes of the most vulnerable people in Warwickshire. Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service is involved in partnership with many agencies to improve the quality of life of the people of Warwickshire.

Further Information

For more details on initiatives for reducing deaths and injuries in accidental dwelling fires, contact Community Fire Safety at Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service on 01926 410800 or [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 101 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC SERVICES

Description

Citizens today expect to be able to access services, including local government services, by a variety of means and at times convenient to them. Delivering services through the internet is an important part of this, but not the whole story. The telephone is still very popular and interactive TV and SMS messaging are increasingly used.

The government has set a target that all services that can be delivered electronically should be ‘electronically enabled’ by December 2005. This includes interactions that involve:

• Providing information

• Collecting revenues

• Providing benefits and grants

• Consultation

• Regulation (e.g. issuing licences)

• Applications for services

• Booking venues, resources and courses

• Paying for goods and services

• Procurement

• Providing access to community, professional or business networks.

A web-based system, called the Electronic Service Delivery Toolkit, is now used by each local council to help record their progress towards delivering these services electronically.

Performance

The figures provided here for each Council are those recorded in the Toolkit and will be based on different services selected from a standard list. This is the second year that all authorities in Warwickshire have used the toolkit to calculate the figure and although different services may be selected the figures offer a good comparison. Over the last four years an increasing proportion of local government services in Warwickshire have been available electronically.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 102 Figure 2.48; Percentage of local government services electronically enabled

North Nuneaton & Stratford- Warwickshire Bedworth Rugby on-Avon Warwick Warwickshire

March 31st 2002 25% 56% 57% 61% 6% 41%

March 31st 2003 43% 70% 59% 67% 17% 56%

March 31st 2004 70% 63% 66% 68% 53% 77%

March 31st 2005 75% 69% 66% 79% 49% 88%

Source: Unaudited figures supplied by local authorities but will be submitted for publishing at www.bvpi.gov. uk. Figures relate to services provided by each local authority, not all local authority services in each area.

Each council has only a few months left to meet the targets set by the government for the electronic delivery of services. Work will not stop when these have been achieved but progress will continue to be made to deliver services via the appropriate developing technologies and at the convenience of the customer.

Outlook

Local councils in Warwickshire have in place plans and targets to achieve the overall government target by December 2005. This includes some joint working to avoid duplication of effort. Warwickshire residents can expect to have increasing access to local government services via the internet and can expect to find these systems being used to improve the response of authorities when contacts are made by telephone or visit.

Further Information

For more information about the County Council’s progress towards e-government targets contact Tonino Ciuffini, E-Government and Strategy Manager, on 01926 412879 or email [email protected]. Contact the appropriate Borough or District Councils for details of their progress.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 103 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

SPORT AND EXERCISE

Description

The County Council’s User Satisfaction Survey and the West Midlands Regional Lifestyle Survey include a number of questions on how frequently respondents take part in sport and exercise.

Performance

Warwickshire residents were asked how important physical activity was to them on a scale from 0 to 10. More than 70% of residents scored the importance at seven or above, whilst just 8% of residents scored the importance at three or below.

Respondents were also asked how confident they were in starting to do more physical activity. Approximately one-half of respondents were confident that they could do more physical activity, with less than a quarter feeling that they were not able.

Figure 2.49; Percentage of residents rating physical activity as important, and their ability to start doing more physical activity as 7 or higher (on a scale from 0 to 10)

Rate physical activity as important between 7 and 10 80% Rate confidence in doing more physical activity between 7 and 10

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

Percentage of Respondents 20%

10%

0% North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford Warwick Warwickshire West Warwickshire Bedworth -on-Avon Midlands

Approximately 60% of respondents take thirty minutes or more physical activity three or more times a week. Again, respondents from the south of the County appear to be more active than those in the north. Over the last twelve months, four of the five Districts have witnessed an increase in the level of physical activity undertaken by respondents. The only area to see a decrease was Rugby.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 104 Figure 2.50; Percentage of residents taking thirty minutes or more moderate physical activity three or more times per week

District/Borough 2003 2004

North Warwickshire 50.4% 56.7% Nuneaton &Bedworth 52.6% 56.4% Rugby 62.6% 56.7% Stratford-on-Avon 61.8% 65.8% Warwick 60.6% 64.7% Warwickshire 58.1% 61.6%

Source: Warwickshire County Council Public Satisfaction Surveys.

Approximately one in ten respondents state that they take no moderate physical exercise in a week, whilst approximately three in ten take moderate physical exercise five or more times a week.

Figure 2.51; Percentage of residents taking thirty minutes or more moderate physical activity either five or more times per week or not at all, 2004

35% Five or more times Not at all

30%

25%

20%

15%

10% Percentage of Respondents

North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire Bedworth -on-Avon Source: Warwickshire County Council Public Satisfaction Surveys.

Outlook

This is the second year that the County Council has asked questions on sport and exercise in the Best Value User Satisfaction Survey. The information is available to agencies to help identify areas of greatest need and consider ways to improve participation in sport and exercise across the County, and promote healthier lifestyles.

Further Information

For more information about the results from the County Council’s Best Value User Satisfaction Survey or the West Midlands Regional Lifestyle Survey contact David Gardiner in the Research Unit on 01926 418049. Alternatively, email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 105 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

FOOD AND DRINK

Description

The County Council’s User Satisfaction Survey and the West Midlands Regional Lifestyle Survey include a number of questions on respondents’ eating and drinking habits.

Performance

Within Warwickshire, approximately eight out of ten respondents consider that they have a healthy diet, with just one in ten believing that their diet is unhealthy.

Figure 2.52; Percentage of residents believing that they have a healthy or unhealthy diet

100% Healthy diet Unhealthy diet

80%

60%

40% Percentage of Respondents 20%

North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford Warwick Warwickshire West Warwickshire Bedworth -on-Avon Midlands

Only 20% of respondents state that they eat five or more portions of fruit or vegetables a day, a small increase on the 2003 survey. However, 7% of respondents state that they eat fried food at least three times a week and a further 34% eat it once or twice a week. More than one in three respondents say that they have a take-away or eat out at least once a week.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 106 Figure 2.53; Percentage of residents eating five or more portions of fruit and vegetables per day

District/Borough 2003 2004 North Warwickshire 14.2% 17.8% Nuneaton &Bedworth 13.9% 16.7% Rugby 9.6% 19.0% Stratford-on-Avon 17.4% 26.0% Warwick 16.7% 21.3% Warwickshire 14.7% 20.3%

Source: Warwickshire County Council Public Satisfaction Surveys.

Three-quarters of respondents stated that they drink alcohol. Of these, 13% drank alcohol every day in the week previous to the survey, and 27% drank alcohol at least five times in the previous week. Nearly one-quarter of respondents were classified as ‘binge drinkers’ due to their drinking habits, where binge drinking is defined as more than seven units of alcohol in one sitting for men, and more than five units for women. Respondents from Stratford-on-Avon were more likely to drink alcohol at least five times a week, but were the least likely to be classified as binge drinkers.

Figure 2.54; Percentage of residents who drink alcohol at least five times per week, and percentage classified as binge drinkers 40% Drank alcohol at least five times in the last week 35% Classified as a binge drinker

30%

25%

20%

15%

10%

On average, Warwickshire residents drink approximately 11.1 units of alcohol in a week, compared to 11.4 across the West Midlands region. Respondents from Stratford-on- Avon District have the highest level of intake (11.4) and respondents in Rugby have the lowest intake (10.7).

Outlook

This is the second year that the County Council has asked questions on healthy eating in the Public Satisfaction Survey, and it will continue to ask residents about these issues to enable us to monitor trends over time. Please also refer to the indicator on Substance Misuse for more details on what the County is doing to tackle problems relating to alcohol misuse.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 107 Further Information

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 108 Environmental Indicators

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 113 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

AIR QUALITY

Description

Air quality is essential for a good quality of life – in the UK it is generally very good but there are still sometimes unacceptably high levels of pollution. Local Authorities now have a statutory duty to regularly review and assess air quality in their area by monitoring levels of different types of air pollutant, which have different effects on the environment and our health. The major threat to clean air is now posed by traffic emissions.

Performance

Air quality is measured at specific sites in each of the Districts. The only site that continually measures all emission types is based in Leamington Spa.

The three main pollutants which cause significant health effects to susceptible individuals are PM10 particles, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. PM10 particles are of major concern as they are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs where they can cause inflammation and a worsening of the condition of people with heart and lung diseases. The principal source of PM10 matter is road traffic emissions, particularly from diesel vehicles. Figure 3.2 illustrates the distribution of PM10 emissions across the County.

Nitrogen dioxide is greatest in urban areas and can irritate the lungs and lower resistance to respiratory infections. Continued or frequent exposure to high concentrations may cause increased incidence of acute respiratory illness in children. Again, the principal source of nitrogen dioxide is road traffic.

High levels of ozone, generally observed during hot, still, sunny weather, irritate the lining of the lungs, increasing the symptoms of those suffering from asthma and lung diseases.

In a Warwickshire Citizens Panel survey, undertaken in June 2004, respondents were asked how they rated air quality in Warwickshire.

• Just over 60% rated air quality fairly or very good

• 20% of respondents rated air quality neither good nor poor

• 15% rated air quality fairly or very poor.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 110 Figure 3.1; Residents’ Opinion of Air Quality within Warwickshire

Very Poor

Fairly Poor

Neither Good nor Poor

Fairly Good

Very Good

Don't Know/ Not provided

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Percentage of Residents Source: Warwickshire Citizens Panel 2004.

Two thirds of Warwickshire respondents were very or quite concerned about the effect air quality in Warwickshire has on their health. Nuneaton & Bedworth had the highest level of concern with 72%, followed by Rugby with 67%. Stratford-on-Avon had the lowest level with 51%.

The national Air Quality Strategy (2000), sets health-based objectives for eight ambient air pollutants. If any sites show that certain pollutants are likely to exceed Air Quality Strategy objectives an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) has to be declared. This has resulted in two AQMA’s being declared in Warwickshire, both due to high levels of nitrogen dioxide. One is in North Warwickshire, south of Coleshill, and the other is in Rugby Borough, covering the whole urban area of Rugby. Further sites have been identified within Nuneaton & Bedworth and Warwick District.

Outlook

Local authorities within Warwickshire will continue to review and assess air pollutants and take action where levels are likely to be exceeded. Where areas are identified, an action plan will be put together in order to protect people’s health and the local environment. Whilst air today is substantially cleaner than in the 1950’s, air quality issues are still important with traffic pollution now posing the most serious threat.

Further Information

For further information, visit the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory at www.naei.org.uk. Information about the causes and effects of air pollution, what the air quality is like near you and what is being done can be found at the following website www.airquality.co.uk/archive

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 111 Figure 3.2; PM10 Emissions within Warwickshire

Source: NAEI. Emissions are estimated from the NAEI’s 1x1km emission grids that use data such as population, employment, traffic, landcover and reported emissions where available to distribute UK total estimates. Figures include all sources of PM10 emissions (domestic, industrial and other).

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 112 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

WATER QUALITY

Description

The quality of fresh water is vitally important. It is needed for, among other things, drinking water, generating energy, running machinery, carrying waste, washing, cleaning, cooking and leisure pursuits as well as enhancing the landscape. Water is also vital as a habitat for both freshwater and marine plants and animals. Many human activities and their by-products have the potential to pollute water – large and small industrial enterprises, the water industry, the urban infrastructure, agriculture, horticulture, transport and deliberate or accidental pollution incidents all affect water quality. Pollutants from these may enter surface or groundwater directly, may move slowly within the groundwater to emerge eventually in surface water, may run off the land or may be deposited from the atmosphere.

Water quality is assessed in two ways – chemical and biological quality.

Performance

River quality is assessed by the Environment Agency using a survey called the General Quality Assessment (GQA) scheme in which quality grades (A – F) are assigned to watercourse stretches according to the water chemistry, biology and nutrient levels. These in turn have been grouped into four broader groups – good, fair, poor and bad.

River Quality Objectives are set which can range from improving a poor watercourse so that it can support fish, to improving a good watercourse so that it is suitable for drinking water supply.

Chemical Quality

Between 1990 and 2004 England experienced a 19% increase in the total length of rivers and canals graded as ‘good’. This has been due to the positive impact of the investment programme of the water industry, including a major clean up of discharges from sewage-treatment works and investment in environmental programmes by industry.

Chemical water quality within Warwickshire has generally improved since 1990 but the total length classified as good decreased in 2003 to 45% from 58% in 2002; this has remained similar in 2004. The quality levels are lower within the north of the County and the Warwickshire average remains lower than the national average. The reduction in quality during 2003 within Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough was due mostly to a 17km stretch of the Coventry canal being reclassified as ‘fair’ from ‘fairly good’; this has improved in 2004.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 113 Figure 3.3; Chemical Water Quality 1990 – 2004 (percentage of water network graded ‘good’)

80 1990 1995 2000 2002 2003 2004

20 Percentage of water network graded as good

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford-on Warwick Warwickshire England Warwickshire Bedworth -Avon Source: Environment Agency.

Biological Quality

Biological grading is based on the monitoring of species that live in or on the bed of a river. The number and diversity of freshwater species found in samples can be used to make inferences about water quality. Species groups recorded at a site are compared with those which would be expected to be present in the absence of pollution and other harmful substances, allowing for the different physical characteristics in different parts of the country.

Warwickshire figures have, in overall terms, decreased during the past ten years, but with an increase of 5% in 2004. Again, better performance is found in the south of the County. The County figure is significantly below the national average.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 114 Figure 3.4; Biological Water Quality 1990 – 2004 (percentage of water network graded ‘good’)

80 1990 1995 2000 2002 2003 2004

30 Percentage of water network graded as good 20

0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford-on Warwick Warwickshire England Warwickshire Bedworth Avon Source: Environment Agency.

Outlook

The long-term objective of the Environment Agency is to make our rivers, lakes and coastal waters far cleaner. The hope is that they will be able to sustain diverse and healthy ecosystems, water sports and recreation and those uses needed by a thriving and healthy community.

The UK is now implementing the EU Water Framework Directive. This will represent a significant change in the assessment of water quality. New or changed monitoring schemes will be needed to assess water quality in this way, and environmental agencies are working to develop these, with the aim of having them in place by the end of 2006. The presentation of indicators of water quality will be reviewed in the light of new monitoring plans as they are developed. It is anticipated that monitoring programmes similar to the present ones will remain in place in the interim.

Further Information

For further details on the work of the Environment Agency and water quality issues, visit either www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/waterquality or www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/index.htm

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 115 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

FLOODING

Description

The Environment Agency supplies information on the locations of flood zones across the County. This has been combined with address data to determine how many households and businesses are currently located within flood zones in Warwickshire. The Environment Agency’s aim is to reduce this number by implementing improved flood defence systems, while local authorities can minimise new developments within these areas.

Flood zones are defined in accordance with Planning Policy Guidance 25 (PPG25), as follows:

• Zone 3 – Highest Risk – annual probability of flooding of 1.0% or greater from rivers and 0.5% or greater from the sea

• Zone 2 – Low to Medium Risk – annual probability of flooding of 0.1% – 1.0% from rivers and 0.1% – 0.5% from the sea

• Zone 1– Little or No Risk – annual probability of flooding less than 0.1%.

Performance

The table below illustrates the number of addresses located in flood zones in January 2005. Around 4,200 residential addresses are in the highest risk areas (annual probability of flooding of 1.0% or greater) along with a further 800 commercial addresses.

Figure 3.5; Estimated Number of Addresses Located in Medium and Highest Risk Flood Zones

Flood Zone 2 Flood Zone 3 (medium risk) (highest risk) (includes Zone 3 figures) Non- Non- Domestic Domestic domestic domestic North Warwickshire 69 32 297 94

Nuneaton & Bedworth 773 119 1,319 144 Rugby 457 78 700 103

Stratford-on-Avon 1,510 179 2,577 298 Warwick 1,419 407 2,342 498

Warwickshire 4,228 815 7,235 1,137

Source: Environment Agency/Warwickshire County Council.

In total, almost 8,400 properties are in areas that face a risk of at least 0.1% of flooding from rivers. This represents 3.6% of all addresses in the County. The original version of the Flood Map, published in October 2004, suggested that 9,500 addresses were at risk. This figure has been reduced to 8,400 as a consequence of the new dataset including the impact of flood defence systems.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 116 An analysis of residential properties completed in the last four years (2000-04) identifies that around 166 houses have been built in the highest risk flood zone, with a further 21 in the medium risk area.

According to the latest Environment Agency data, there are three areas in Warwickshire benefiting from flood defences; two in North Warwickshire and one in Nuneaton & Bedworth. These are areas that would have a 1% chance of flooding if the defences were not present, but that do not flood because the defences are present. This dataset will be monitored and updated by the Environment Agency on an ongoing basis.

Figure 3.6; Premises benefiting from flood defence systems

Area Residential Non- domestic North Warwickshire (Water Orton) 0 2 North Warwickshire (Nether Whitacre) 123 9 Nuneaton &Bedworth (parts of Abbey, 484 388 Whitestone,Attleborough) Source: Environment Agency/Warwickshire County Council.

Outlook

The County Council, together with other local planning authorities, have a role identified in PPG 25 to ensure that new development is not going to be located in the highest risk zone without adequate flood defences. It is vital for the County Council to have continued liaison with the Environment Agency, specifically in taking advice on the distribution of flood risk and the availability of flood defences in the County when considering planning applications and drafting development plans.

Further, through the ongoing liaison with Environment Agency, the County Council will seek to ensure that the most accurate information is made available to the people of Warwickshire at all times.

Further Information

The Environment Agency website, www.environment-agency.gov.uk, has more information on flooding including details of where flood zones exist and what measures are being taken to reduce risk.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 117 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

‘STREETSCAPE’ IN MARKET TOWNS

Description

Market towns must respond to the changing needs and demands of modern times if they are to survive, especially in the face of competition from out of town and edge of town developments and also neighbouring town centres. The best market towns offer distinctiveness, identity, a quality environment and a sense of civic pride.

Maintaining a quality local environment is one of the key functions of a town in the eyes of local people. Clean pleasant streets, attractive open spaces, well maintained signs and street furniture are all seen as important. Setting high standards for public maintenance services also encourages private businesses and property owners to take a greater pride and invest in their local areas.

Performance

As part of the County Council’s Market Town Initiative (MTI), a co-ordinated and focused street maintenance strategy between Warwickshire County Council, North Warwickshire Borough Council and Coleshill Town Council resulted in a dramatic improvement in the appearance of Coleshill town centre street scene and approaches to the business estates. There has been a 101% improvement in the visual appearance of Coleshill town centre in less than twelve months (based on the Streetscape scores – see below).

Based on work in Coleshill, a co-ordinated programme of maintenance work has also been carried out in many of Warwickshire’s other market towns, including Southam, Shipston, Alcester, Atherstone and Polesworth, each with input from local residents as part of a Civic Pride Working Group.

Figure 3.7; Average Warwickshire ‘Streetscape Appearance’ Index Scores by town

8 Original Current

Average Score 3

0 n/a n/a n/a

Rugby Warwick Shipston Henley Bidford Studley Kineton BedworthStratford NuneatonColeshill SouthamAlcester Average LeamingtonKenilworth PolesworthAtherstone Wellesbourne

Source: Warwickshire Streetscape Appearance Scores, Dec 2004. Original survey dates varied.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 118 The Streetscape Appearance Index score for each market town is shown in Figure 3.7 and demonstrates the improvement in the score as a result of the actions of the Civic Pride Working Groups. Some of the towns have only a current score and were not included in the original survey. Figure 3.8 lists the eighteen individual indices on which the overall score for each town is based and identifies areas where the market towns are doing well and areas that need improvement.

Figure 3.8; Average score by Streetscape appearance index

Trees, plants & features

WCC bridges

Street lighting

General litter

Paint condition to street furniture

Road marking

Weeds

Car parks

Property frontages

Litter bins

Bus shelters & poles

Road surface condition

Public toilets

Road signs

Footpath, grime, grit & gum Footpath surface condition BT, PO, other boxes Railtrack bridges

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Average score Source: Warwickshire Streetscape Appearance Scores, December 2004.

Outlook

Other towns have now developed Civic Pride Working Groups, for example Kenilworth, and are in the process of working with the Streetscape Appearance index to bring about maintenance and environmental improvements to their town.

Further Information

For more details on the Warwickshire Market Towns Initiative, contact Jackie Hart on 01926 412899 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 119 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

BUS SERVICE SATISFACTION

Description

A high level of satisfaction with bus services reflects public confidence and the willingness of people to make use of public transport. Not only is the provision of bus services important in enabling people to choose a more sustainable form of travel to work, but these services also allow people in more isolated areas to gain access to other key services such as shops, doctors, post offices and schools.

The Warwickshire County Council 2004 Public Satisfaction Survey asked users of bus services how satisfied they were with their local bus service and the provision of bus service information.

Performance

Amongst bus users, there is generally a much higher level of satisfaction with bus services than dissatisfaction. Countywide, 58% of bus users said that they were happy with the current provision of bus services in 2004, compared to 23% reporting some level of dissatisfaction. This satisfaction level of 58% is up five percentage points on last year.

Figure 3.9; Percentage of bus users satisfied with bus services by District, 2004

70% Satisfied Dissatisfied

60%

50%

40%

30%

20% % of residents satisfied or dissatisfied 10%

0% North Nuneaton Rugby Stratford - Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire & Bedworth on - Avon

Source: Warwickshire County Council Public Satisfaction Survey, 2004. Note: responses relate to users of bus service only.

At District level, Stratford-on-Avon has the lowest percentage of bus users who are satisfied with the service. This is likely to be a consequence of the rural nature of the District and a shortage in the volume and frequency of bus services. Bus services within Nuneaton & Bedworth and Rugby have the highest levels of satisfaction.

The availability of accurate and user-friendly passenger information is seen as an important way to achieve increases in the use of public transport for both existing and potential passengers.

124 Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 120 Figure 3.10; Percentage of bus users satisfied with public transport information, 2004

80% Satisfied Dissatisfied

70%

60%

50%

40%

30% Percentage of residents satisfied

20%

10%

0% North Nuneaton Rugby Stratford - Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire & Bedworth on -Avon

Source: Warwickshire County Council Public Satisfaction Survey, 2004.

Across Warwickshire as a whole, 64% of bus users were satisfied with public transport information. The highest satisfaction level is found in North Warwickshire (74%), followed by Rugby (69%) and Nuneaton & Bedworth (68%). The south of the County has the highest dissatisfaction with public transport information, with Warwick having the lowest satisfaction rate of 53%.

Outlook

The Local Transport Plan aims to improve public transport for those who rely on it and to make public transport a more attractive alternative to the car. As part of this process the County Council in partnership with bus operators, District Councils, Parish Councils, and others, will work towards providing quality passenger information for both bus users and non-users in Warwickshire, which will hopefully encourage higher satisfaction levels with information provision.

Further Information

For more details on bus route provision and the availability of public transport contact Kevin McGovern (01926 412930) or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 121 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

BUS JOURNEYS

Description

A shift from car use to public transport would help reduce the impact that travel patterns across Warwickshire currently have on the County’s environment. The quality of life of residents of Warwickshire would be improved by reducing congestion in our main towns.

Performance

During 2004/05, approximately 11.1 million passenger journeys were made on buses in Warwickshire. Compared to the figures published in last year’s ‘Quality of Life in Warwickshire’ report, this would suggest a substantial reduction. However, the reason for the apparent fall in passenger journeys is due to a revised methodology as required by the Department for Transport. Previously, all journeys that involved passengers boarding or alighting in Warwickshire were included. As all neighbouring authorities were using the same process, this meant that some journeys were being double counted. Therefore, only passengers boarding in Warwickshire are now counted in the Warwickshire totals. This revised methodology has a particularly significant impact on Warwickshire due to the high number of neighbouring counties and the subsequent high level of cross county travel taking place.

The figure does exceed the 2004/05 target of 11 million and, in real terms, the modest level of increase in bus journeys continues.

Figure 3.11; Number of bus passenger journeys in Warwickshire, 1999/00 – 2004/05

10 Journeys (original methdology) Journeys (revised methodology 03/04) Journeys (new methodology 04/05) Bus journeys per year (million) 5

0 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05

Source: Warwickshire County Council, Department for Transport.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 122 Over the year there have been several changes by the major operators to their commercial networks. Despite this, the vast majority of routes in the County are still provided by the commercial sector, rather than subsidised through the public sector. These commercial routes are not guaranteed, and will be run only if economically viable. To sustain the bus routes provided across Warwickshire, these routes must retain a degree of profitability.

There has been a very encouraging increase in the number of new, low floor easy access buses now operating in Warwickshire. The County Council purchased eleven new vehicles and these were successfully introduced in partnership with commercial operators on key inter urban corridors between Stratford-on-Avon and Birmingham, and between Leamington Spa, Southam and Rugby. There has been a marked increase in passenger journeys on both corridors as a result of this measure.

Outlook

The County Council recognises the importance of continuing to provide financial support for local bus services and while subsidised services continue to thrive commercially operated routes remain subject to change. Since around 90% of bus services are provided through the private sector, passenger numbers need to be maintained in order to secure the long-term availability of certain routes.

Given the need to reduce and even withdraw some public services due to increasing budgetary constraints, the likelihood of passenger numbers being maintained across the board is probably optimistic. However, passenger numbers will be at least maintained on those services where there is clear evidence of good quality services being provided.

Further Information

For more details on bus route provision and the availability of public transport contact Kevin McGovern (01926 412930) or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 123 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

ROAD TRAFFIC VOLUME & CONGESTION

Description

As the number of vehicles on the roads continues to grow, so does their impact on our environment and human health. In built up areas traffic is the most significant source of air pollution.

In the past, an increase in traffic volume has been an indication of economic growth but it is now also linked with congestion, noise, pollution and a contribution to climate change. Journey times are also increasing, which is costing the British economy an estimated £15 billion per annum (CBI 1999).

Performance

Figure 3.12; Number of Licensed Vehicles per Thousand Population

600 2001 2002 2003

500

400

300

200 Number of licensed vehicles per 1000 Population

100

0 Warwickshire West Midlands Great Britain

Source: Department for Transport.

The rate of vehicle ownership is increasing steadily nationally and regionally. Within Warwickshire the number of registered vehicles is also increasing and the rate of ownership is higher than both the regional and national rates.

During the 1990s, road traffic was growing at around 2% per year in Warwickshire. Traffic flows have increased in almost all of the main towns in Warwickshire during the past ten years. In particular, traffic in and around Stratford-upon-Avon town, Warwick, Nuneaton and Rugby has increased by over 13%. Traffic in Kenilworth has increased by about 5%, but traffic in Bedworth has remained fairly static over this period.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 124 Figure 3.13; Traffic Flows in Main Towns, 1994 - 2004

1994 1997 2000 2003 2004 120

100 1994 = 100

40 Traffic Flows Index, 1994 = 100

0 Nuneaton Bedworth Rugby Stratford Kenilworth Warwick Leamington on - Avon

Source: Warwickshire County Council.

Average speeds in the County’s main towns have, in most cases, fallen in recent years. Peak time speeds range between 9mph in Warwick to 19mph in Bedworth. In comparison with last year, peak time flows have increased in Rugby and in Kenilworth, although Kenilworth’s off-peak speed has reduced to 19mph.

The Department for Transport produces annual estimates of traffic flows. In 2004, it was estimated that a total of 8,652 million vehicle kilometres were travelled across Warwickshire, an increase of 4% on 2003. During the past ten years, estimated traffic flows have increased by 23%. This compares to an increase of 17% across the West Midlands and 18% across England & Wales.

Outlook

Traffic levels are generally expected to continue to increase in the future, especially in the more rural areas of the County. However, there should be significant reductions in traffic levels in some town centre streets, with the introduction of new pedestrian priority measures.

Further Information

Details about the Local Transport Plan for Warwickshire can be obtained from the Transport Planning Unit. Contact Maggie Macbeth on 01926 735674, or e-mail [email protected]

The Warwickshire Local Transport Plan is available to view on the County Council’s website. Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/transport

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 125 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

ROAD CASUALTIES

Description

The Best Value Performance Indicator (BVPI) regarding road casualties is now based on absolute numbers of casualties, percentage change in casualty numbers year on year and percentage change in casualty numbers in relation to a nationally defined baseline. The BVPI targets are:

• To reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions by 40%

• To reduce the number of children (under 16 years of age) killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions by 50%

• To reduce the number of people slightly injured in road traffic collisions by 10%

These targets are measured against the average for each category of casualty for the baseline period 1994-98. Road casualty figures are based on calendar years. The targets described above are set on straight-line reduction from 2000 to 2010 working toward the casualty reduction targets outlined. Warwickshire results are in line with the Government’s 2010 casualty reduction targets.

Performance

The number of people killed or seriously injured on Warwickshire’s roads has fallen since 2003, and is much lower than the target for the year. The figure for 2004 represents a reduction of more than 27% on the baseline.

Figure 3.14; Fatal and serious road casualties, 2000 – 2004

800

700 Actual

Target 600

500

400

300

200

People killed or seriously injured in road accidents 100

0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Source: Warwickshire County Council.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 126 There is no obvious explanation for the increase in the number of children killed or seriously injured in 2004, and this is contrary to the trend of year-on-year reductions from 79 in 1996 to 41 in 2003. However, the County Council is still on track to achieve its target regarding child casualties. The numbers for 2004 represent a 27.5% reduction in child casualties killed or seriously injured on the baseline.

Figure 3.15; Child fatal and serious road casualties, 2000 – 2004

Actual 70 Target

20 Children killed or seriously injured in road accidents 10

0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Source: Warwickshire County Council.

Figure 3.16 illustrates that we are on track to achieve the national target for those slightly injured a year early, by 2009, with the numbers of casualties during 2004 representing a 4.75% reduction on the baseline.

Figure 3.16; Slight road casualties, 2000 – 2004

2650

Actual 2600 Target 2550

2500

2450

2400

2350

People slightly injured in road accidents 2300

2250

2200 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Source: Warwickshire County Council.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 127 The table below demonstrates how each District is performing compared with the 1994- 1998 baseline. Although North Warwickshire is displaying an increase on the baseline, it is likely that the 2004 performance represents a ‘blip’ in the general trend. Figures for the preceding two years were well below the baseline.

Figure 3.17; 2004 compared with 1994-1998 baseline, by District

2004 compared with 1994 - 1998 baseline People killed or seriously injured

North Warwickshire + 1.6% Nuneaton & Bedworth - 38.1% Rugby - 28.2% Stratford-on-Avon - 33.5% Warwick - 38.8% Warwickshire - 27.6% Source: Warwickshire County Council. Note: In some cases the absolute number of casualties is small, which can lead to misleading percentage change figures.

The Warwickshire Casualty Reduction Partnership was formed in 2001 and figures show that safety cameras are continuing to reduce casualties on the County’s roads by successfully slowing average traffic speeds. This is the third consecutive year that there have been reductions in casualty numbers at camera sites. When the casualty figures at camera sites for the years 2002 – 2004 are combined, there have been:

• 331 fewer casualties

• 130 fewer people killed or seriously injured

• 176 fewer crashes in which people were injured

Outlook

In its 2005 Guidance on Local Transport Plans the government has put forward two sets of standards for casualty reduction targets; ‘satisfactory’ and ‘stretching’. Warwickshire already aims to achieve the government’s 2010 targets a year early by 2009; that is well above the ‘satisfactory’ target. The government’s new ‘stretching’ targets are even more challenging.

The County Council will use the coming months to plan whether and how it can achieve these ‘stretching’ targets and include its conclusions in the Final Local Transport Plan.

Further Information

The Road Safety Intelligence Team carries out monitoring of road casualties in Warwickshire. Contact Roger Harding by telephone 01926 735650 or e-mail [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 128 To view the Warwickshire Road Safety Action Plan, click on to www.warwickshire.gov.uk

For more information on the Warwickshire Casualty Reduction Partnership, phone Stephen Rumble on 01926 412740 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 129 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

CHILDREN’S MODE OF TRAVEL TO SCHOOL

Description

Over the past ten years, the number of children walking to school has halved while the number being driven has doubled. This has resulted in increased levels of congestion and pollution, as well as parking and safety problems near schools. There are also long- term implications for pupils’ health as a result of the reduced amount of exercise.

Warwickshire’s Local Transport Plan (LTP) aims to achieve a modal shift away from car use by increasing healthier travel options. The target included in the LTP is to ‘reduce the proportion of school journeys undertaken by car from 37% in 1999 to 33% by 2006 and 24% by 2011’.

Safer Routes to Schools aims to encourage children to walk or cycle by improving the safety of pedestrians and cycle routes, for example traffic calming, improving crossing facilities, cycle storage and cycle paths.

Performance

The School Travel Survey has been carried out annually in Warwickshire since 1997. Up until 2002 there was a steady increase in car use for schools journeys, rising from 35% in 1997 to 40% in 2002, in line with overall traffic growth in the County.

However, the most recent survey in 2004 showed for the second year running a reduction in the percentage of pupils travelling to school by car, from 39% in 2003 to 37%. The percentage for individual schools varies widely depending on factors such as the age of pupils and type and location of school.

Figure 3.18; Percentage of children travelling to school by car, recorded by place of school

50%

2002 2003 2004

40%

30%

20%

10% Percentage of school pupils travelling to by car

0 North Nuneaton Rugby Stratford-on-Avon Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire & Bedworth Source: School Travel Survey, Warwickshire County Council.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 130 The proportion of pupils travelling to school in cars within Stratford-on-Avon District has fallen by seven percentage points from last year. All Districts showed a reduction apart from Nuneaton & Bedworth, which is unchanged from 2003 (although this was four percentage points less than the previous year).

The following table shows that the percentages of children walking or cycling varies widely across the County. Of particular note are the high percentages of pupils walking in Nuneaton & Bedworth and secondary pupils cycling in Warwick District.

Figure 3.19; Percentage of pupils walking or cycling to school

Primary Secondary All Schools % walk % cycle % walk % cycle % walk % cycle North Warwickshire 42% <1% 52% 2% 47% 1% Nuneaton & Bedworth 49% <1% 66% 7% 56% 3% Rugby 43% 1% 37% 6% 40% 4% Stratford-on-Avon 39% 1% 23% 1% 31% 1% Warwick 47% 3% 36% 17% 43% 8% Warwickshire 44% 1% 41% 6% 43% 4%

Source: School Travel Survey 2004, Warwickshire County Council.

An analysis of schools with a high level of cycling has shown that in virtually every case improved cycling facilities have been introduced by the County’s Safer Routes to Schools initiatives. Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity, commented that the countywide figure of 6% of secondary pupils cycling to school is “impressive”. During 2004/05, seventeen new Safer Routes to Schools schemes were implemented across the County to encourage pupils to walk or cycle rather than travel by car.

It is difficult to compare Warwickshire with elsewhere due to variations in car ownership and rural/urban differences. Despite the recent decline in car usage, Warwickshire does appear to be matching the national long-term trend of increasing numbers of school children travelling to school by car. Between 1991 and 2002 the percentage of children walking to school in Great Britain fell from 56% to 44%, while car usage increased from 21% to 32%.

Outlook

The Local Transport Plan aims to achieve the targets set out above, and as such will aim to continue the reduction in school journeys undertaken by car. The Safer Routes to Schools initiative continues to help promote the use of alternative modes of transport. The County Council, as part of the Travelwise campaign, also promotes two ‘Walk to School’ weeks annually during May and October, the ‘Walking Bus’ scheme, and school travel plans.

Further Information

Details about ‘Safer Routes to School’ are available from Lynn Harding (01926 412592) or [email protected]. For details about Walk to School Weeks and School Travel Plans contact [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 131 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

ROAD CONDITION

Description

Well-maintained roads contribute to the Warwickshire economy by helping businesses to operate efficiently and effectively. They are used for the transport of raw materials and finished products, for workers to travel to and from work, and by shoppers and tourists visiting the area. Roads and pavements support the social and environmental fabric of the whole community. They enable local people to access essential services, to interact socially and to enjoy their surroundings.

Many factors influence road condition including how well the roads were built in the first place, the wear they have experienced from traffic, how frequently they have been worked on to install and repair public utility services, weather conditions and how they have been maintained.

Road condition indicators are available which measure the structural condition of the road network. Machine surveys are carried out to help assess the remaining life of A-roads. In addition, a visual survey is undertaken to measure and record surface defects to a nationally agreed format. Roads with indicators above a threshold value are considered to need treatment.

Performance

The Government have assessed the highway maintenance service in Warwickshire as ‘Good’ with ‘promising prospects for improvement’. Warwickshire County Council have set targets for improving performance to achieve an excellent rating.

Surveys on A-roads have been carried out for a number of years. The results of the deflectograph surveys and the United Kingdom Pavement Management System Surveys (UKPMS) are shown in the table below.

Figure 3.20; Condition of A-roads

Deflectograph 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Estimated length of A Roads which will soon require strengthening 10.8% 8.9% 6.4% 7.8% 9.9% 13.4% – Estimated length of A Roads with – a residual life of 10 years or more 72.9% 76.4% 80.5% 79.1% 74.6% 66.9%

UKPMS-–percentage of roads with significant surface defects Fixed merge method – – – 3.1% 3.7% – –

Variable merge method – – – 6.9% 9.2% 6.9% 8.0%

Source: Warwickshire County Council.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 132 The A-road indicators give different results and it is not clear if the condition of the A-roads is remaining stable or deteriorating. The target is to reduce the percentage of roads that will soon require strengthening to 5% by 2010. It is hoped that small improvements will be seen in the condition of the A-roads every year until the target is achieved.

Surveys on the non-principal (B, C and D) roads, to agreed national standards, have only recently been developed. The latest results show that 17.7% of the B and C roads and 14.9% of the D roads have significant surface defects. These results compare well with other counties.

Figure 3.21; Condition of non-principal roads

UKPMS–percentage of roads 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 with significant surface defects UKPMS– Fixed BVPI 97a –Non-principal merge method 11.4%* 8.9% Classified (B and C)Roads (Approximate total length of B and UKPMS– C roads in Warwickshire = 1,293km) Variable merge 17.7% method 17.9% 18.2%

BVPI 97b – Non-principal UKPMS– Fixed Unclassified (D)Roads merge method 7.4%* 4.5% (Approximate total length of D roads in Warwickshire = 1,967km) UKPMS– Variable merge method 17.1% 18.5% 14.9% Note: * The Audit Commission expressed reservations about these figures. Source: Warwickshire County Council.

The results indicate that there has been an improvement in the road network in 2004 helped by an increase in surfacing work during the year. The present County Council target is to reduce the level of roads with significant defects to fewer than 5% by 2010.

The percentage of roads with significant surface defects is greater in Stratford-on-Avon District than elsewhere in the County. A greater percentage of roads will be treated in the Stratford-on-Avon area than elsewhere to help to make road conditions more consistent across the County.

Figure 3.22; Condition of Warwickshire roads by District, 2004 – 2005

United Kingdom Pavement Management System (UKPMS) Surveys All carriageways with significant surfaced defects

District Length of road Total length % of road with with significant of road significant surface surface defects (km) defects (km) (km) 2003/04 2004/05 2003/04 2004/05 North Warwickshire 81.2 82.3 534.0 15.2 15.2 Nuneaton & Bedworth 44.2 4.5 370.0 11.9 12.0 Rugby 99.4 82.3 609.9 16.3 13.4 Stratford-on-Avon 302.9 261.4 1426.2 21.2 8.3 Warwick 98.6 92.9 674.1 17.3 15.4 Note: Results are for all road types, based on 2003/04 and 2004/05 Surveys. Source: Warwickshire County Council.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 133 Outlook

It is anticipated that the condition of A-roads will remain stable over the next couple of years and that the condition of other roads, particularly B and C roads, will improve.

Further Information

More details on the state of the Warwickshire road network, including information on highways maintenance schemes, can be found on the Warwickshire Web at www.warwickshire.gov.uk. Alternatively, the Network Management team can be emailed at [email protected], or phone 01926 414081.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 134 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

CYCLING

Description

Cycling is an inexpensive, healthy and sustainable way to travel to school, to work, or for leisure. The growth in traffic, particularly in town centres and urban areas, has increased road congestion and environmental pollution. Cycling provides an ideal alternative, especially for shorter journeys, with significant effort currently being directed towards improving facilities for cyclists and in promoting the benefits of cycling for all.

Performance

Town cycle network plans have been drawn up for each of the major urban areas. The aim is to increase cycle use by providing good cycle routes to key locations such as employment areas, educational establishments, town centres and rail stations. There is an annual programme of new cycle schemes in the County, funded from Local Transport Plan (LTP) resources and complemented by developer funding. Schemes completed in 2005 include Emscote Road in Warwick, Dunchurch Road in Rugby and Evesham Road in Stratford-on-Avon.

Despite falling short of the stretching target set in the 2000 LTP of doubling cycle use in the major urban areas by 2006 and doubling again by 2011, there are some positive trends for cycling indicators. For example, cycle flows into main urban areas have increased compared to 2003/04.

Cycling to Work

In addition to the provision of cycle infrastructure, the Travelwise campaign encourages employers to provide facilities for cyclists at the workplace, such as secure parking, lockers and showers.

Table 3.23; Journeys to Work by Pedal Cycle

1991 2001

North Warwickshire 1.1% 1.3%

Nuneaton & Bedworth 2.7% 2.8%

Rugby 4.9% 4.0%

Stratford-on-Avon 3.7% 2.6%

Warwick 5.3% 3.5%

Warwickshire 3.8% 2.9%

West Midlands Region 1.9% 2.3%

England & Wales 3.1% 2.8%

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 135 Cycling to School

The Safer Routes to Schools projects, run by Warwickshire County Council, are helping with the aim to reduce the proportion of school journeys undertaken by car to 24% by 2011. Successful projects have been implemented around both primary and secondary schools across the County in recent years. In 2004/05 seventeen new Safer Routes to Schools schemes were implemented. This included the construction of a cycle/footbridge over the West Coast Main Line to improve access to schools in the Whitestone area of Nuneaton.

Continued efforts to encourage more sustainable modes of travel for the school run correspond with a reduction in car journeys for the second year running, as monitored through the Annual School Travel Survey. The survey also shows an increase in cycling for journeys to school. Results of the 2004 survey recorded 4% of journeys by bicycle, up from 2% in 2000 (see the ‘Children’s Mode of Travel to School’ indicator for more details).

Recreational Cycling

Opportunities for recreational cycling within Warwickshire were further enhanced this year with the creation of ‘The Lias Line’ cycleway between Rugby, Leamington Spa and Warwick. The mainly traffic-free route forms part of the National Cycle Network (Route 41) and was developed by Sustrans, a sustainable transport charity, in partnership with the County Council.

The new route is a welcome addition to recreational cycling facilities in Warwickshire. Routes are now available across the County and offer opportunities for people to enjoy cycling within easy reach of home or by using public transport.

The increasing popularity of recreational cycling can be demonstrated by the increasing sale of cycling guides as illustrated below.

Figure 3.24; Sales of Recreational Cycling Guides

12000

10000

8000

6000

4000 Number of guides sold

2000

0 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 Source: Warwickshire County Council.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 136 Outlook

Warwickshire County Council will continue to develop new cycle routes within the identified town networks and through Safer Routes to School schemes, as well as working in partnership with Sustrans to further develop the National Cycle Network routes within the County.

The Council will also continue with promotional activities to encourage more cycling, including hosting cycle events, producing cycle guides for the main towns, and upgrading its web pages.

Despite falling short of its target for increasing cycling usage, the County Council is encouraged by the positive trends reported for cycling indicators. This may indicate that measures implemented during the first Local Transport Plan period are starting to influence travel choices.

Further Information

For further information, contact Margaret Hodgson in the Transport Planning Unit 01926 735682 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 137 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

RIGHTS OF WAY

Description

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 placed a duty on the County Council to produce a Rights of Way Improvement Plan: a 10-year plan for improving the provision of access to the countryside through rights of way.

The plan will include the County Council’s assessment of such things as:

• the extent to which Warwickshire’s rights of way meet the present and likely future needs of the public

• the opportunities provided by rights of way for exercise and open air recreation

• the accessibility of the rights of way network to blind or partially sighted persons and those with mobility problems

• targets for the future of the rights of way network.

A consultation exercise was carried out in August/September 2004 to help inform the ‘Countryside Access and Rights of Way Improvement Plan’, with over 2,700 responses from walkers, cyclists, equestrians, off-roaders, town and parish councils, farmers and landowners.

This indicator examines the percentage of footpaths and other rights of way that are easy to use by members of the public. The information is collected through a 5% random survey of footpaths and bridleways, equating to around two hundred paths in Warwickshire. The results of the survey confirm that overgrown paths and lack of signing are a major concern to the users of Warwickshire rights of way.

Performance

Although the proportion of the total length of footpaths and other rights of way that is easy to use has been increasing steadily, in 2002 the County adopted the new National Methodology for the collection of data. Along with many other counties, this saw an apparent drop in the figures, from 83% in 2001 to 55% in 2002. The drop was due to the rigour of the new methodology, rather than a drop in performance, and set a new benchmark from which performance is measured. However an upward trend has once again been established with the figure for 2004 increasing to 62%. Real comparison with other authorities will only be valid when other authorities adopt the new method.

‘Easy to use’ means that the path must be signposted from the road, free from obstructions and growing crops, follow the legal line, have furniture in good condition, and have a suitable surface type.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 138 Figure 3.25; Percentage of total length of footpaths and other rights of way that are easy to use

100% Old Methodology

80% New Methodology

60%

40%

20% % of rights way that are easy to use

0% 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Source: Warwickshire County Council. 2002-2004 data not directly comparable with previous years due to changes in methodology. Underlying trend is still improving.

Warwickshire has 3,300 public paths covering over 2,800km. Over 80% of the rights of way network is public footpath and the remainder public bridleway and byways open to all traffic. The County has a further 100 unsurfaced unclassified roads which are managed primarily for recreation. The gentle topography and managed nature of the countryside makes Warwickshire suitable for a range of walkers, both residents and visitors. The rights of way network is generally in very good condition offering a range of walking, riding and cycling opportunities.

Outlook

An increasing emphasis is being placed on improving access to the countryside for those with mobility and disability issues. This is being accomplished by promoting easy access trails and by seeking improvement across the network, particularly with regard to path furniture, where the principle of ‘least restriction’ is used. The authority has committed significant new resources to ensuring that public paths are correctly recorded and maintained and that the network meets the current and future needs of path users.

Although government introduced the ‘right to roam’ in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, there is no significant amount of qualifying land within the County. The public path network will therefore continue to be the most important means of accessing the Warwickshire countryside.

The Countryside Access and Rights of Way Improvement Plan is being prepared under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; informed by the successful public consultation earlier in the year it has been published as a consultation draft in October 2005 with the final Plan published as part of the Local Transport Plan in summer 2006.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 139 The Countryside Access Team in partnership with farmers, landowners, parish councils and a host of volunteers and community groups, maintain Warwickshire’s paths. These partners will continue to improve the quality of, and ease of access to, rights of way across the County.

Over 750 people joined Warwickshire’s first ever Walking Festival in June 2005, showcasing Warwickshire’s countryside with more than 50 guided walks across the County, making it a fantastic success. The extensive programme included everything from town centre walks around Stratford-on-Avon and Leamington to country and woodland walks across the County. Another festival is being planned for 2006.

Further Information

For more details on the Parish Paths Partnership, phone 01926 413432. For more general enquiries, phone the Countryside Recreation Team on 01926 413427. Alternatively, email [email protected] or visit www.warwickshire.gov. uk/countryside

To follow progress on the Improvement Plan and results of the consultation exercise visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/rowip

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 140 Summary Household Waste Per Head Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere Recycling & Composting Trend over time HOUSEHOLD WASTE Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

Description

The County Council is the waste disposal authority for Warwickshire, with the District and Borough Councils responsible for waste collection. The majority of household waste produced in the County goes to landfill. Reducing waste will reduce the need for raw materials, reduce the impact of landfill sites, and reduce costs.

The Government has set targets to divert waste away from landfill, by the year 2005 the aim is to have 40% of municipal waste recovered and 25% of household waste recycled. By 2010 these figures are 45% and 30% respectively.

Performance

The introduction of Landfill Tax, combined with an increasing volume of household waste, meant that the cost of waste disposal almost doubled during the mid to late 1990s. This trend reflected national changes. However, Warwickshire has introduced a policy of banning commercial type vehicles at household waste sites and this, combined with the promotion of recycling initiatives and an awareness raising campaign, has helped minimise the impact of Landfill Tax.

Figure 3.26; Waste Disposal Costs and Weight of Waste Produced

300 Household Waste Weight Cost per Tonne £34

£32 250 £30 Cost per tonne 200 £28

£26 150 £24

100 £22 Household waste weight (tonnes) £20 50 £18

0 £16 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 Source: Warwickshire County Council.

Compared to other counties, the cost of waste disposal in Warwickshire is below average.

Warwickshire’s residents currently produce about 289,000 tonnes of waste per year. Around 69% of this waste goes to landfill which, although high, is down more than seven percentage points since last year.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 141 Figure 3.27; Warwickshire’s Waste Indicators

2005/2006 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 Targets Waste (kg) per head of pop. 511 504 525 539 525 556 544

Cost per tonne of waste £25.64 £26.23 £27.45 £28.15 £31.14 £30.81

% of total waste Recycled 7.9% 8.3% 9.1% 10.0% 13.3% 13.8% 14%

% of total waste Composted 0.5% 3.5% 4.3% 4.9% 8.2% 13.8% 11%

% Recycled and Composted 8.4% 11.8% 13.4% 14.9% 21.5% 27.6% 25%

% Waste used to recover energy 0.4% 0.6% 3.2% 4.5% 2.7% 3.8% 3.2%

Landfilled (by difference) 91.2% 87.6% 83.4% 80.6% 75.8% 68.6% 71.8%

Source: Warwickshire County Council.

The reduction in household waste from 1999/00 to 2000/01 is due to a change in definition, with rubble and soil now excluded. The increase in composting from 1999/00 to 2000/01 was due to the introduction of green waste separation at most household waste sites from February 2000. The large increase in recycling and composting from 2002/03 to 2004/05 is due to the introduction of expanded collection schemes.

Figure 3.28; Waste per head and percentage recycled by District 2004/2005

kilos per head % recycled and composted 600

500 60% % of waste recycled or composted

400 50%

40% 300

30% Kilos of waste per head 200 20%

100 10%

0 0 North Nuneaton Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire & Bedworth on-Avon Source: Warwickshire County Council.

Household waste produced per person ranges from 524 kilos per person in Warwick District to 591 in North Warwickshire. Over the last year, the amount of household waste produced countywide has increased by 7%. All districts recorded an increase with North Warwickshire and Stratford-on-Avon increasing the amount of waste produced per head by 16% and 15% respectively.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 142 Recycling and composting levels have increased since last year but these still vary across the districts. Over 36% of waste is recycled in the Stratford-on-Avon District area, an increase on 24% in 2003/04, but the highest increase was achieved within Nuneaton & Bedworth where the amount of waste recycled increased to 23% of the total from 12% in 2003/04.

Outlook

During 2005/06 Warwickshire County Council, with its partners the Districts and Boroughs, has started to put a new waste strategy in place to take the County forward over the next fifteen years.

Warwickshire County Council is planning to increase recycling and composting rates to over 30% over the next few years in order to comply with EU landfill diversion targets for biodegradable waste. However, recycling and composting alone will not be sufficient, and the remaining waste will have to be treated to further reduce the biodegradable waste sent to landfill.

The Council has become far more proactive in introducing schemes to reduce the amount of waste in both our domestic and corporate waste streams. It is also improving its own performance by recycling more of its own waste and with more County Council sites starting recycling schemes.

The Countywide Free Home Woodchipping Service has gone from strength to strength, with even more waste material being taken out of the waste stream. Extra financial resources are being put into the Home Composting schemes to increase this provision.

Through the Waste Resource Action Programme, extra funding has been secured to implement a much more proactive regional and countywide waste awareness campaign over the next two years. The campaign will include the use of television, radio, train, and bus advertising, and will also include intensive market research to evaluate the outcomes.

Further Information

Details about household waste management in Warwickshire are available from Roy Burton (01926 412593) or e-mail [email protected]

For further information on the ‘Waste Wise’ initiative and other recycling issues, contact Katey Salmon on 01926 412458 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, try the Waste Wise website at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/wastewise

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 143 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN HOMES

Description

Almost 30% of all energy produced in the UK is consumed within domestic properties. The vast majority of this energy is derived from burning fossil fuels, which produce greenhouse gasses (principally carbon dioxide) and contribute to climate change.

Improving the efficiency of homes will reduce our dependence on these fuels, thereby reducing fuel bills, making homes more comfortable and reducing the impact we are having on the environment. The Government has set an overall target for the UK of reducing all carbon dioxide emissions to 80% of the 1990 level by 2010.

Performance

The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA) required all local authorities to set out a strategy to improve the energy efficiency of all dwellings in their area. This required identification of how many properties there were at April 1996 and estimate the total domestic energy consumption. From this ‘baseline’ position, all future energy efficiency improvements can be measured.

Figure 3.29; Domestic Energy Consumption in Warwickshire by District

Number of Dwellings 60000 9.0 Annual Energy Consumption Energy consumption (million GJ) 50000 7.5

40000 6.0

30000 4.5

20000 3.0 Number of dwellings (1996) 10000 1.5

0 0 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford Warwick Warwickshire Bedworth -on-Avon

Source: Local Authority HECA Strategy 1996.

The target required by HECA is a 30% improvement in domestic energy efficiency within 10-15 years. Every council has to measure their annual progress and report this to the Government.

In Warwickshire, most districts carry out an annual survey of at least 400 householders to ask what they have done to save energy in the previous 12 months. This data is then analysed to estimate how much of an improvement has been achieved across the District.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 144 Amongst the local authorities in Warwickshire there is a reasonable level of consistency with the average being above the target and significantly better than the average for the West Midlands.

Figure 3.30; Total energy efficiency improvement since 1996

Target to be acheived by 2005 Actually achieved 1996-2005 25 )

5 Energy Efficiency Improvement (%

0 North Nuneaton Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire West Warwickshire & Bedworth on-Avon Midlands Notes: North Warwickshire figures unavailable for 2004/05. West Midlands average relates to improvements to 2003. Source: Local Authority annual HECA reports to DEFRA.

With each district having adopted different methods of measuring energy efficiency improvements in the past, comparisons between the apparent performances of different districts will be misleading. However, Warwickshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre has been working with several districts to develop a standard method of calculating the annual improvement.

Figure 3.31; Energy and Carbon Dioxide savings, 2005 compared to 1996

2000 Annual energy saving (GJ) Annual carbon dioxide saved 125,000 (tonnes) Carbon dioxide saved (tonnes p.a.) 100,000 1500

75,000

1000

Energy Saved (000 GJ ) 50,000

500 25,000

0 0 North Nuneaton Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire & Bedworth on-Avon Note: North Warwickshire figures unavailable for 2004/05. Source: Householder survey conducted by WEEAC.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 145 There have been significant savings in energy and carbon dioxide, which would represent an equally significant reduction in fuel bills for householders.

Outlook

Warwickshire is now on target to achieve the requirements of HECA within the specified 15-year time period, although there is still plenty to do to make that happen.

The Government is helping by providing funding for disadvantaged householders to have improvements installed at no cost and imposing requirements on energy suppliers to provide grants for all householders regardless of means.

The Government’s ‘UK Fuel Poverty Strategy’ describes how energy efficiency, the energy market and social inclusion measures are expected to tackle the ‘lack of affordable warmth’ or fuel poverty. Local authorities have an important role to play in this and the ‘South Warwickshire Affordable Warmth Strategy’ has been developed to work with partners and the community in south Warwickshire to eradicate fuel poverty.

Local Authorities, who have a statutory duty to promote energy efficiency, can also make grants and other schemes available within their own areas and the measured improvement in energy efficiency in each area is, in some part, related to the provision of these services.

The result of competition in the energy supply industry has driven down the price of gas and electricity, but this is unsustainable and has now been replaced by rising prices. In the long term, prices will continue to rise as North Sea gas is replaced by imports, making traditional fossil fuels more expensive and supply less reliable. This will make renewable energy technologies more desirable and more cost effective.

There is already considerable pressure to increase the number and size of wind turbines across the country and advances in solar electric (photovoltaic) design may enable homes to generate some of their own electricity. Micro combined heat and power (CHP) generators and heat pumps that extract heat from the ground (Geothermal) are already commercially available for homes.

The Government’s target for electricity generated from renewable sources is 10% by 2010. In 2004, the actual figure was 3.6%, almost double the 1996 figure. To achieve more from the domestic sector, grants are available through a number of initiatives such as ‘Clear Skies’, ‘Community Energy’ and ‘Solar PV Grants’.

Further Information

Free advice on identifying the most appropriate measures for homes and details of locally available grants and discount schemes is available from Warwickshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512012.

For further information on the Home Energy Conservation Act and the methods used for measuring energy efficiency improvement contact David Jullien on 01789 842898 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 146 Natural Resources

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 151 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

WATER CONSUMPTION

Description

The demand for water has increased substantially over the last 40 years, mainly as a result of economic development. As more water is abstracted from underground aquifers, rivers and lakes less is available to dilute polluting discharges and protect essential habitats for wildlife. Reducing demand is therefore a vital factor in protecting the environment for future generations.

As well as maintaining households’ need for a clean water supply fundamental to public health, water is required for many industrial processes. Water is also required to maintain river flows at acceptable levels for conservation, recreation, fisheries, maintain wetland levels sufficient for ecology, and ensure groundwater levels are sufficient in dry weather.

Performance

The pattern of water usage is changing with more water being used by households and less by industry. Whilst average household consumption remains fairly constant, an increase in the number of single person households is causing an increase in the demand per person, with each additional household containing a range of appliances increasing the demand on water supply.

Figure 4.1 illustrates the average consumption per person in a typical residence in England & Wales and the Severn Trent region. The data has been derived through analysis of a representative sample of domestic dwellings (both metered and non- metered) and does not include pipe leakages.

Figure 4.1; Per Capita estimated consumption by an Average Home in England & Wales and the Severn Trent region (litre/person/day)

200

Severn Trent England & Wales

150

100

erage Household Consumption (Litres/person/day) 0

Av 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 Source: Ofwat, Severn Trent Water.

Domestic water usage in 2004/05 within the Severn Trent region fell by 3% compared to 2003/04. There was a particularly dry summer and autumn in 2003, which accounted for the increase during 2003/04.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 148 Within Warwickshire, 19% of the 211,000 households are metered compared to an average within England and Wales of 26%. The total daily volume of water can be estimated by referring to the occupancy rate for measured and unmeasured households in the Severn Trent region.

Figure 4.2; Total Estimated Consumption of Water in Warwickshire, 2004

No. of households Occupancy Average per Capita Total Volume Rate consumption (litres/day) (litres/day) Un-metered 171,000 2.48 131.4 55,694,783

Metered 40,000 2.04 133.2 10,893,575

Total 66,588,358 Source: Severn Trent Water.

Outlook

There is evidence that, with seasonal adjustment, actual base water usage may slowly decrease in the future. This is due to the increasing number of households likely to pay for their water by meters, the improved efficiency of white goods such as washing machines, and an improvement in the water distribution system.

Water companies have a duty to promote water efficiency to their customers, for example with the installation of water meters free of charge or encouraging the use of water saving devices.

Changes in the economy, as well as consumers’ lifestyle changes, will need to be monitored alongside the impact of climate change in order to predict future demand.

Further Information

For more information on the water services industry visit www.ofwat.gov.uk or visit the Severn Trent Water website at www.stwater.co.uk

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 149 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

LAND USE

Description

The re-use of Previously Developed Land (PDL) encourages urban regeneration by developing derelict and vacant sites, and protects the countryside by reducing the need to build on greenfield sites. The development of previously used sites in appropriate locations can also limit the need to travel and consequently reduce traffic congestion.

The Government has set a national target of 60% of all new housing to be built on previously developed land by 2008, although this will vary between urban and rural areas. No similar target has been set for employment land development on previously developed land.

Performance

Housing Development

Figure 4.3 indicates the number of housing completions on previously developed land in Warwickshire between 1996 and 2004. During this period, on average, 57% of housing completions in Warwickshire were on PDL. However, this figure has fluctuated annually, from 53% to 66%, reflecting the fact that it is difficult to control precisely and depends very much on the sites that are completed in any given year.

Figure 4.3; Dwellings Completed on Previously Developed Land, 1996 to 2004

Warwickshire % completions on previously (number of completed dwellings) developed land

1996 - 1997 1,058 54% 1997 - 1998 1,596 66% 1998 - 1999 1,285 58% 1999 - 2000 1,835 64% 2000 - 2001 1,315 53% 2001 - 2002 1,459 56% 2002 - 2003 1,313 53% 2003 - 2004 1,457 55%

Average over 8 year period 57%

Source: Warwickshire County Council, 2005.

There were also considerable variations by District. During 2003/04, some 94% of development in North Warwickshire occurred on PDL, compared with 38% in Rugby. Rugby has the lowest percentage of PDL completions in the County, with an average of 45% over the period 1996–2004. This is largely due to completions on two large housing developments at Coton and Cawston Grange. Both these greenfield sites were allocated prior to national planning policy guidance, with its emphasis on directing development towards previously developed land.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 150 Nuneaton & Bedworth has the highest percentage of PDL completions in the County, accounting for 78% of all completions over the period 1996–2004. Again, the figure has fluctuated annually, ranging from 83% in 2001 to 58% in 2003, before rising to 76% in 2004.

Stratford-on-Avon District has tended to have a relatively low percentage of PDL completions (51% over the period 1996–2004). Recently, there have been a number of relatively large PDL sites completed within Stratford-upon-Avon town, for example along the Alcester Road, the Birmingham Road, Paddock Lane and Guild Street. These sites contributed to the increase in PDL completions to 76% in 2002/03. However, the level of PDL completions in Stratford-on-Avon fell back again in 2003/04 to 47% of all completions.

Warwick has seen a gradually declining trend in the percentage of PDL completions since 1996. There was a notable reduction in previously developed land completions, to 40%, during 2002-03, largely due to the South West Warwick housing development accounting for a large number of greenfield completions (200 dwellings). The percentage of PDL completions rose to 51% in 2003/04.

Figure 4.4; Location of Housing Land Completions by District, 1999 to 2004

3,000 Greenfield

2,500 Brownfield/PDL

2,000

1,500

Number of Dwellings 1,000

500

0 2000/01 2000/01 2000/01 2000/01 2000/01 2000/01 2001/02 2001/02 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 1999/00 2003/04 1999/00 2002/03 1998/99 2002/03 2001/02 1999/00 2001/02 2003/04 1998/99 1999/00 2003/04 1998/99 2003/04 1999/00 2003/04 1999/00 1998/99 1998/99 2002/03 2002/03 2002/03 2001/02 1998/99 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford- Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire Bedworth on-Avon Source: Warwickshire County Council.

Although performance is strong in terms of the proportion of housing development taking place on previously developed land, there is also a need to monitor whether developments are taking place in rural or urban areas. The Warwickshire Structure Plan (WASP) suggests that around 50% of housing development should take place on urban previously developed land. Current development activity has seen nearly 45% of housing completions on urban previously developed land, compared with 37% at April 2001.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 151 Employment Land Development

At April 2004, 70% of all new employment land development occurred on previously developed land, exceeding the WASP target of 62%.

Figure 4.5; Location of Employment Land Development, 2000 to 2004

1,200

70% 1,000 Greenfield

Brownfield/PDL 71% 74% 72%

800 X % Percentage Brownfield/PDL

600 Area size (hectares)

400 97% 97% 97% 97%

41%

200 84% 48% 48% 50% 24% 86% 33% 87% 82% 34% 52% 63% 63% 60% 28%

0 2000/01 2000/01 2000/01 2000/01 2000/01 2000/01 2001/02 2001/02 2001/02 2001/02 2001/02 2003/04 2001/02 2003/04 2003/04 2002/03 2003/04 2003/04 2002/03 2002/03 2002/03 2002/03 2003/04 2002/03 North Nuneaton & Rugby Stratford Warwick Warwickshire Warwickshire Bedworth -on-Avon

Source: Warwickshire County Council.

The WASP sets out indicative targets for each District in terms of locating development on previously developed land. In the context of these targets Warwick has achieved four times the desired amount based on completions and identified sites, both with and without permission, although the WASP indicative target was the lowest in the County, at 10%. All other Districts have slightly exceeded their targets, apart from Nuneaton & Bedworth, which has significantly exceeded its target of 61%, with 82% of employment development on previously developed land.

Outlook

Warwickshire is in a strong position to meet the national target set by the Government for housing on previously developed land. The County will continue to monitor the targets set out in the Warwickshire Structure Plan (WASP), to provide 50% of new housing and 62% of new employment land development on urban previously developed land between 1996 and 2011.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 152 Further Information

Details of the Warwickshire Structure Plan are available from Suzanne Osborn, Planning Strategy, Warwickshire County Council. Telephone 01926 412538 or email [email protected]

Further information about employment and housing land monitoring can be obtained from Nina Bobe in the Research Unit. Telephone 01926 412358 or email ninabobe@ warwickshire.gov.uk

More detailed information about the monitoring of the Warwickshire Structure Plan is available on the Research Unit website, www.warwickshire.gov.uk/wspmonitor/

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 153 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

BIODIVERSITY

Description

The term ‘biodiversity’ means the variety of all living things, ranging from single-celled organisms to large mammals and trees. It also refers to genetic diversity within a species and the diversity of woodlands, wetlands and other habitats, which provide food, water and shelter for these species. The Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull Habitat Biodiversity Audit (HBA), which mapped all the habitat types of the sub-region between 1996 and 2000, provides a map of the sub-region’s wildlife habitats. The Warwickshire Biological Record Centre (WBRC) holds the most comprehensive information on sites and species in the County. The information held by the HBA and WBRC is being used by the ‘Action for Wildlife’ Project that is over-seeing the production of a Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) for the sub-region.

Performance

Each sub-region has been asked to prepare an LBAP to identify how habitats and species at greatest risk are to be conserved and how such efforts and successes can be measured.

The Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull LBAP (‘Action for Wildlife’) is a partnership- driven initiative involving a wide range of organisations and agencies from the public, private and voluntary sectors. The Plan is split into two distinct groups – Habitat Action Plans and Species Action Plans. In total, there will be 26 different Species Action Plans covering a range of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and plants. There will be a further 24 Habitat Action Plans covering grasslands, farmland, urban, post-industrial, wetland and woodland habitats.

It is still relatively early days in the lifespan of the LBAP, and statistical information is currently limited. However, in time the Plan will monitor a wide range of specific biodiversity indicators, a small subset of which are listed below for illustrative purposes.

• By 2010, expand through natural re-colonisation, the Otter population to 50% of sites surveyed in the 2000 Avon Catchment survey. The number of Otters has increased significantly over the past two years, and they are present along all of the Avon. A monitoring and reporting framework is currently being established.

• To restore the breeding range of Barn Owls to its late-1980s level by 2010. An expansion in the number of Barn Owls is occurring.

• Restore Small Blue butterfly colonies at five former sites by 2010. It is hoped that major habitat improvements can be undertaken at several key sites to help restore the colonies. However, until this happens, it is thought that the species remains under threat.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 154 • To see the breeding population of Song Thrushes restored to its estimated 1990 level by 2007. Some increase over recent years has been noted. Some dry summers in the mid and late 1990’s had depressed populations, but a number of wetter summers since then have helped numbers increase again.

• Identify and implement a procedure to improve the quality of the built environment for priority species by 2008. A number of the actions to help achieve this have been identified, agreed, and work is underway, with target dates set for 2006 to 2008.

• To identify all ecologically important industrial sites, derelict land and stretches of disused railway line and their ownership by 2005. The identification of sites through the ‘Wildlife Sites Project’ is an on-going process, likely to take several years to complete. Over the past year most activity has taken place in Solihull, with more limited progress in other Districts.

However, in addition to the above, the HBA project provides an accurate figure for habitat coverage at the turn of the century and is attempting to monitor changes over time.

In March 2005, DEFRA launched Environmental Stewardship, a new agri-environment scheme which provides funding to farmers and other land managers in England who deliver effective environmental management on their land in order to:

• Conserve wildlife

• Maintain and enhance landscape quality and character

• Protect historic environment and natural resources

• Promote public access and understanding of the countryside.

DEFRA has established a new Warwickshire team with four advisors and the launch is already having a positive impact in the County with locally increased tree sparrow and bunting populations, increased lapwing and curlew breeding and the dramatic spread of the rare Large Garden Bumblebee. This is one of the most positive developments in nature conversation for many years and promises to restore populations of many vulnerable species.

Also, as part of the LBAP process, the biodiversity partnership organised a conference ‘A Workable Solution – Quarry Management, Restoration & Biodiversity’ which highlighted that a more proactive and planned approach is important within the quarrying industry. New quarries will provide new habitats. Some of the largest and most exciting of the biodiversity gains in the County over the past 50 years have resulted from quarrying, for example Brandon Marsh, Kingsbury Water Park, Ufton Fields and Ryton Pools. The conference was timed to coincide with the start of Warwickshire’s County Mineral Plan review, which will help shape quarrying, and the after-use of sites for many years.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 155 Outlook

Monitoring of progress towards the LBAP targets is an important part of the process and will be undertaken regularly in the future. The LBAP Steering Group is currently looking at the process for monitoring progress, and is likely to start reporting formally in July 2005. Future editions of the Quality of Life report will also hopefully contain details of the progress being made towards these targets.

Various local natural history groups help to monitor changes in wildlife; Warwickshire RINGs (Research, Recording and Recreation in Nature Groups) established in 1995, is an informal network of groups, organisations and individuals with an interest in natural history and whose work contributes towards the local LBAP.

Further Information

Details of the LBAP, including Species Action Plans and Habitat Action Plans, are available from the website www.warwickshire.gov.uk/biodiversity

Details of RINGs are available from the website www.warwickshire.gov.uk/rings

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 156 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

WOODLAND

Description

Woodland forms one of the most important habitats supporting many biodiversity target species. Certain areas of woodland also provide a valuable location for leisure and recreation pursuits, as well as adding to the general aesthetic quality of an area. Between 1996 and 2000, the Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull Habitat Biodiversity Audit mapped and provided basic ecological descriptions of all woodland in the sub-region. In 2003, the regional partners in the woodland and forestry sector commissioned a baseline study, ‘A Growing Resource’, to explore the contribution that woodland and forestry make to the quality of life in the West Midlands.

Performance

In 2002, the total area of woodland (including only sites 0.1 hectares and over) in Warwickshire was 9,390 hectares. This represents 4.7% of the County’s land area. There are a total of 806 woods over two hectares in size in Warwickshire. In addition, there are almost 3,500 woods below two hectares in size. Broadleaved woodland is the dominant forest type in Warwickshire representing 67% of all woodland, conifer woodland accounts for 10.1%, mixed woodland 10.5% and open spaces within woodland 12.6%.

Warwickshire contains 10% of the West Midlands region’s woodland, as illustrated in Figure 4.6.

Figure 4.6; Regional Woodland distribution by County

Worcestershire 3% 13% 22% W es Herefordshire t Midla nds 10% Warwickshire

22% 30% Staffordshire Shropshire

Source: The West Midlands Regional Forestry Framework, 2005.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 157 Woodlands are widespread but fragmented across the County, with notable concentrations of ancient woodlands. Remnants of the Forest Of Arden, originally covering the area of Warwickshire northwest of the Avon, contain oaks, beeches and chestnuts, at locations such as Wappenbury Woods near Princethorpe, Stoneleigh Deer Park, Coombe Abbey Country Park, Charlecote, North Warwickshire and on the western side of Stratford-on-Avon District. Ancient woodlands contribute enormously to the local character of an area and are part of the historic landscape particularly in old deer parks, ancient hedgerows, along watercourses and in suburban greenspaces.

The eastern parts of the County are particularly sparsely wooded. Wet woodland is a particularly scarce type and in 2000 the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust established a new wetland area at Leam Valley Local Nature Reserve.

Regional Planning Guidance states that local authorities and other agencies should identify and support opportunities for the planting and management of woodland where it can contribute positively to the local economy, the landscape, global sustainable development, wildlife protection, soil and groundwater preservation, and renewable energy production through the use of energy crops. Woodland also plays an important role in acting as a ‘sink’ for excess carbon dioxide, so the management and planting of trees, particularly in urban areas, can improve the air quality of these areas.

Figure 4.7; Area (hectares) of new planting under the Woodland Grant Scheme in Warwickshire, 1998/99 – 2004/05

150 Hectares Planted

120

Areas of new planting (hectares) 30

0 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 Source: Forestry Commission, Regional Planning Guidance Monitoring Report.

Between 1980 and 1997, woodland land cover increased by more than 2,200 hectares from 3.5% to 4.6% of the County’s land area. The area of broadleaves increased by 45% between 1980 and 1997, with the relative proportion of broadleaves to conifers increasing from 77% to 82%.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 158 Outlook

The loss of woodland has been substantially reduced in recent years. There are moves to reintroduce coppicing and to convert some conifer plantations back to broadleaved woodland. New woodland offers an opportunity to extend existing woodlands, create wildlife corridors between the remaining woods and could help to restore populations of certain woodland animals, for example, the dormouse. The Princethorpe Wildlife Project (Warwickshire Wildlife Trust) involves the most important cluster of woodlands in Warwickshire aiming to make the woodlands a better place for people to visit and protect threatened wildlife. The Local Biodiversity Action Plan includes a number of specific Habitat Action Plans relating to different types of woodland and several key woodland species and it is hoped that coverage and diversity will increase in coming years.

Further Information

For further details visit the Local Biodiversity Action Plan website at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/biodiversity or the Forestry Commission website www.forestry.gov.uk

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 159 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

LOCAL NATURE RESERVES

Description

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) are for both people and wildlife. They are places with wildlife or geological features that are of special interest and they offer people opportunities to study or learn about nature or simply to enjoy it. There are now over 1,050 LNRs in England, ranging from windswept coastal headlands, ancient woodlands and flower-rich meadows to former inner city railways, long abandoned landfill sites and industrial areas now re-colonised by wildlife. In total they cover almost 40,000 hectares, an impressive natural resource which makes an important contribution to the biodiversity of England.

LNRs also offer a positive use for land which local authorities would prefer was left undeveloped and make it possible to apply bye-laws which can help in managing and protecting the site. In addition, because a Local Nature Reserve is a statutory declaration, it is a very clear signal to a local community of the local authority’s commitment to nature conservation.

English Nature recommends that people living in towns and cities should have:

• accessible natural greenspace less than 300m (in a straight line) from their home • at least one accessible 20ha site within 2km of home • one accessible 100ha site within 5km of home • one accessible 500ha site within 10km of home • statutory Local Nature Reserves provided at a minimum level of 1ha per thousand population.

Performance

There are currently nineteen Local Nature Reserves in Warwickshire. They cover 257 hectares, which represents 0.51 hectares per 1,000 population, an increase on the 2002 figure of 0.47.

Figure 4.8; Local Nature Reserves in Warwickshire, by District, 2005

District/Borough Area Number of Hectares Hectares per 1,000 LNRs population North Warwickshire 0 0. 0 0.00 Nuneaton & Bedworth 3 23. 2 0.19 Rugby 3 50. 2 0.57 Stratford-on-Avon 4 96. 9 0.86 Warwick 9 86.8 0.68 Warwickshire 19 257.1 0.50

Source: English Nature, Warwickshire County Council.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 160 The provision of Local Nature Reserves is currently below the English Nature target of 1 hectare per 1,000 population, but Warwickshire compares well with most neighbouring shire counties, the notable exception being Staffordshire.

Figure 4.9; Local Nature Reserves in Warwickshire and Neighbouring Shire Counties 2005

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4 Hectares per 1000 population 0.2

0.0 Staffordshire Warwickshire Northamptonshire Leicestershire Oxfordshire Source: English Nature.

Outlook

English Nature and Local Authorities will continue to assess the potential for sites to be designated as Local Nature Reserves. For example, North Warwickshire Borough Council has included three sites in its Local Plan that it intends to declare as LNRs in due course. It is hoped that Warwickshire will make progress towards the national target during the medium-term.

Further Information

More details on individual LNRs in Warwickshire are now available on English Nature’s website www.english-nature.org.uk, or contact Anton Irving at English Nature. Phone 01295 257601 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 161 Summary

Trend over time Warwickshire compared with elsewhere

SITES OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST

Description

A coherent network of special sites is vital to nature conservation. These sites should safeguard the finest of England’s wildlife and natural features for present and future generations. English Nature’s firm objective is to conserve a series of special sites, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and National Nature Reserves, that are well managed and in favourable condition.

The condition of SSSIs is assessed by English Nature using standards agreed across the UK. A feature on a site will be recorded as favourable or recovering when set criteria are met which ensure the feature will be sustained in the long term. The Government has set a Public Service Agreement (PSA) target of 95% of SSSIs to be in good condition by 2010.

Performance

There are 61 SSSIs in Warwickshire, excluding the River Blythe which is mainly in Solihull. Figure 4.10 shows the condition of Warwickshire SSSIs as a percentage of the total area, 1,363 hectares. The SSSIs are subdivided into units and the figures exclude those units of cross-boundary Sites that fall outside the County, for example the Staffordshire unit of Alvecote Pools, but include Warwickshire’s units of the River Blythe SSSI outside Solihull. The comparable figures for last year are provided in brackets.

Figure 4.10; Condition of SSSIs, May 2005 (2004 in brackets)

Warwickshire England

Number of SSSI units 99 (96) 22,114 (22,048 ) % units assessed 100% (100%) 99% (80%)

Condition Percentage of total SSSI Area Favourable or recovering/Meeting PSA target 89.4% (85.8%) 67.7% (63.0%) Unfavourable no change 0.4% (2.5%) 20.8% (23.0%) Unfavourable declining 10.2% (11.7%) 11.5% (13.6%) Destroyed 0.0% (0.0%) 0.1% (0.1%)

Source: English Nature (SDRT18).

Warwickshire continues to perform well compared to the national picture, where there are major problems with many upland habitats that are suffering from over-grazing. Following a reassessment of river quality affecting SSSIs, Warwickshire deteriorated last year, but has made some recovery this year as a result of management work, for example removal of Rhododendron at Coleshill Pool and scrub control at small geological sites at Brandon and Broom.

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 162 Figure 4.11; Condition of SSSIs, Warwickshire & England May 2005

Warwickshire England

Favourable or recovering

Unfavourable - no change

Unfavourable - declining

Destroyed

Source: English Nature.

Outlook

English Nature has worked with the Environment Agency and the water companies to identify improvements to specific sewage treatment works to reduce the levels of phosphorous in certain rivers. Such improvements are already planned for the Smite Brook affecting Coombe Pool (51ha) and others are expected in the next few years. Provided these are implemented in the next three years, Warwickshire remains on track to meet the PSA target of 95% of SSSIs to be in favourable or recovering condition by 2010.

Further Information

More details on SSSIs in Warwickshire, including the condition of individual sites, are now available from English Nature’s website www.english-nature.org.uk or contact Anton Irving at English Nature. Phone 01295 257601 or email [email protected]

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 163 Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 168 District Trends

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 169 District Summaries North Warwickshire Borough

Key

Good performance Moderate performance Poor performance Information not available or not applicable at District level

Indicator Trend Compared Compared Page over with national with time average Warwickshire average

Unemployment 10 Employment Levels 16 Vacancies 18

s Hours worked 20 Earnings 23 Key Benefit Claimants 25 Gross Value Added 28 Jobs in Warwickshire 31 Employment & Commuting Trends 34 Inward Investment 38

Economic Indicator Business Viability 40 Housing Affordability 42 Affordable Housing 44 Tourism 47 Deprivation & Disadvantage 50 Social Participation 54 Community Priorities 55 Community Wellbeing 57 Fear of Crime 59 Recorded Crime 61 Disorder Incidents 63 Substance Misuse 65 Youth Offending 69

Social Indicators Pre-school Provision 72 Key Stage 2/3 Attainment 74 GCSE Attainment 76 Unauthorised Absence 77 School Leaver Destinations 78

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 166 Indicator Trend Compared Compared Page over with with time national Warwickshire average average

Lifelong Learning 80 Satisfaction with Health Services 85 Older People Living at Home 87 Years of Life Lost 89 Life Expectancy 90 Mortality Rates 91 Teenage Pregnancy 93 Smoking Cessation 96 Fires 100 Social Indicators Access to Electronic Services 102 Sport & Exercise 104 Food & Drink 106 Air Quality 110 Water Quality 113 Flooding 116

s Streetscape in Market Towns 118 Bus Service Satisfaction 120 Bus Journeys 122 Road Traffic Volumes & Congestion 124 Road Casualties 126 Travel to School 130 Road Condition 132 Cycling 135

Environment Indicator Rights of Way 138 Household Waste per Head 141 Recycling & Composting 141 Energy Efficiency 144 Water Consumption 148 Land Use 150 Biodiversity 154 Woodland 157 Natural Local Nature Reserves 160 Rescources SSSIs 162

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 167 District Summaries Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough

Key

Good performance Moderate performance Poor performance Information not available or not applicable at District level

Indicator Trend Compared Compared Page over with national with time average Warwickshire average

Unemployment 10 Employment Levels 16 Vacancies 18

s Hours worked 20 Earnings 23 Key Benefit Claimants 25 Gross Value Added 28 Jobs in Warwickshire 31 Employment & Commuting Trends 34 Inward Investment 38

Social Indicators Pre-school Provision 72 Key Stage 2/3 Attainment 74 GCSE Attainment 76 Unauthorised Absence 77 School Leaver Destinations 78

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 168 Indicator Trend Compared Compared Page over with with time national Warwickshire average average

s Streetscape in Market Towns 118 Bus Service Satisfaction 120 Bus Journeys 122 Road Traffic Volumes & Congestion 124 Road Casualties 126 Travel to School 130 Road Condition 132 Cycling 135

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 169 District Summaries Rugby Borough

Key

Good performance Moderate performance Poor performance Information not available or not applicable at District level

Indicator Trend Compared Compared Page over with national with time average Warwickshire average

Unemployment 10 Employment Levels 16 Vacancies 18

s Hours worked 20 Earnings 23 Key Benefit Claimants 25 Gross Value Added 28 Jobs in Warwickshire 31 Employment & Commuting Trends 34 Inward Investment 38

Social Indicators Pre-school Provision 72 Key Stage 2/3 Attainment 74 GCSE Attainment 76 Unauthorised Absence 77 School Leaver Destinations 78

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 170 Indicator Trend Compared Compared Page over with with time national Warwickshire average average

s Streetscape in Market Towns 118 Bus Service Satisfaction 120 Bus Journeys 122 Road Traffic Volumes & Congestion 124 Road Casualties 126 Travel to School 130 Road Condition 132 Cycling 135

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 171 District Summaries Stratford-on-Avon District

Key

Good performance Moderate performance Poor performance Information not available or not applicable at District level

Indicator Trend Compared Compared Page over with national with time average Warwickshire average

Unemployment 10 Employment Levels 16 Vacancies 18

s Hours worked 20 Earnings 23 Key Benefit Claimants 25 Gross Value Added 28 Jobs in Warwickshire 31 Employment & Commuting Trends 34 Inward Investment 38

Social Indicators Pre-school Provision 72 Key Stage 2/3 Attainment 74 GCSE Attainment 76 Unauthorised Absence 77 School Leaver Destinations 78

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 172 Indicator Trend Compared Compared Page over with with time national Warwickshire average average

Lifelong Learning 80 Satisfaction with Health Services 85 Older People Living at Home 87

s Years of Life Lost 89 Life Expectancy 90 Mortality Rates 91 Teenage Pregnancy 93 Smoking Cessation 96 Fires 100 Social Indicator Access to Electronic Services 102 Sport & Exercise 104 Food & Drink 106 Air Quality 110 Water Quality 113 Flooding 116 Streetscape in Market Towns 118 Bus Service Satisfaction 120 Bus Journeys 122 Road Traffic Volumes & Congestion 124 Road Casualties 126 Travel to School 130 Road Condition 132 Cycling 135

Environment Indicators Rights of Way 138 Household Waste per Head 141 Recycling & Composting 141 Energy Efficiency 144 Water Consumption 148 s Land Use 150 Biodiversity 154 Woodland 157 Natural Local Nature Reserves 160 Rescource SSSIs 162

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 173 District Summaries Warwick District

Key

Good performance Moderate performance Poor performance Information not available or not applicable at District level

Indicator Trend Compared Compared Page over with national with time average Warwickshire average

Unemployment 10 Employment Levels 16 Vacancies 18

s Hours worked 20 Earnings 23 Key Benefit Claimants 25 Gross Value Added 28 Jobs in Warwickshire 31 Employment & Commuting Trends 34 Inward Investment 38

Social Indicators Pre-school Provision 72 Key Stage 2/3 Attainment 74 GCSE Attainment 76 Unauthorised Absence 77 School Leaver Destinations 78

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 174 Indicator Trend Compared Compared Page over with with time national Warwickshire average average

s Streetscape in Market Towns 118 Bus Service Satisfaction 120 Bus Journeys 122 Road Traffic Volumes & Congestion 124 Road Casualties 126 Travel to School 130 Road Condition 132 Cycling 135

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 175 Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 176 Appendix A

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 177 Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 178 Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 179 Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 180 Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 181 Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 182 Appendix B

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 Appendix B Indicators & The County Strategic Plan

At the time of writing, the next version of the Warwickshire Strategic Plan is being produced. This table provides an overview of which of the five themes in the Plan each indicator relates to, along with a symbol to indicate trend over time.

Good performance Moderate performance Poor performance Information not available or not applicable at County level

t t

Indicator Housing Affordability Jobs, Skills & Learning Environmen Community Safety Health & Wellbeing

Unemployment Employment Levels Vacancies Hours Worked Earnings Key Benefit Claimants Gross Value Added Jobs in Warwickshire Employment & Commuting Trends Inward Investment Business Viability Housing Affordability Affordable Housing Tourism Deprivation & Disadvantage Social Participation Community Priorities Community Wellbeing Fear of Crime

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 184

Indicator Housing Affordability Jobs, Skills & Learning Environment Community Safety Health & Wellbeing Recorded Crime Disorder Incidents Substance Misuse Youth Offending Pre-school Provision Key Stage 2/3 Attainment GCSE Attainment Unauthorised Absence School Leaver Destinations Lifelong Learning Satisfaction with Health Services Older People Living at Home Years of Life Lost Life Expectancy Mortality Rates Teenage Pregnancy Smoking Cessation Fires Access to Electronic Services Sport & Exercise Food & Drink Air Quality Water Quality Flooding Streetscape in Market towns Bus Service Satisfaction Bus Journeys Road Traffic Volumes & Congestion Road Casualties Travel to School Road Condition

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 185

Indicator Housing Affordability Jobs, Skills & Learning Environment Community Safety Health & Wellbeing Cycling Rights of Way Household Waste per Head Household Waste Recycling Energy Efficiency Water Consumption Land Use Biodiversity Woodland Local Nature Reserves Sites of Special Scientific Interest

Warwickshire County Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005 186 Produced by the Research Unit, Department of Planning Transport & Economic Strategy, Warwickshire County Council

If you find this document difficult to read, we can provide the text in a format better suited to your needs. Please telephone 01926 418633

Publication Date : October 2005. Dept : Planning, Transport & Economic Strategy. Contact : Spencer Payne TelephoneWarwickshire : County 01926 418645 Council Quality of Life in Warwickshire 2005