livin Bishop Middleham Local Offer 2012-15

with the community at heart

Equality and Diversity

livin aims to ensure that Equality and Diversity lies at the heart of our business and allows our customers to access high quality services tailored to their individual diverse needs. It is our policy to provide access to services and employment equality to all, irrespective of age, race or ethnic origin, gender, marital or family status, religious or philosophical belief or political opinion, disability, nationality or sexual orientation. As part of our commitment we, and our working partners, aim to treat everyone as equal citizens and recognise, support and value the diversity of the communities in which they live. Contact Us Communities Team livin, Farrell House, Arlington Way DurhamGate, Spennymoor, Co. Durham, DL16 6NL

0800 587 4538 (free from a landline) or 0300 111 2234 (low rate call from a mobile phone depending on your network)

contactus@livin.co.uk

livin.co.uk

Local Offer Bishop Middleham

Welcome to your Local Offer

Local offers are the standards set by you, our tenants, that we will use and monitor from April 2011. livin’s previous local offer has been completed and now pledges that in each community we will deliver the local offers or actions detailed in this document. Delivery of the local offers will be monitored by livin tenants. The local offers are based on what we have learnt from your community through producing 19 community plans in 2011 and 2012. The local offers have taken the previous actions from the community plans, remaining promises from transfer and your views to create a new set of standards and actions in your area. livin wants to provide, safe and attractive communities that people want to live and work in. The main Community Plan is still available on www.livin.co.uk and forms the basis of our knowledge about Bishop Middleham. The intelligence used in this Local Offer comes from a number of different data sources, including the 2001 Census, Experian Mosaic Public Sector Profiles * (locally based information) and from comprehensive consultation with local residents, groups and partner organisations. * This information groups together and classifies households with similar behaviours, characteristics and lifestyles.

Local Offer Bishop Middleham

Average house price: Population:

£77,179 1,335

livin homes: Average weekly income:

73 £390

Your community The community of Bishop Middleham has a population of 1,335 and an average house price of £77,179. The average weekly income is £390 which is £20 lower than the North East average. livin is the main registered housing provider for the community and owns 73 properties, consisting of bungalows and houses. Over half (53%) of livin properties in the area are bungalows and all of our properties meet the decent homes standard. 76% of residents own their own home whereas the private rented sector in the community represents only 3.5%. The community has its own Parish Council and is part of the 4 Together Area Action Partnership. 67% of residents are aged between 16 - 64 years old and a quarter of households within the community consist of married couples with children. Services and facilities The community has a very limited range of services and facilities. Travel out of the area is essential for access to health care, supermarkets and other specialist goods and services. Although St Michael’s Church of England Primary School is located within the village residents require access to transport to access secondary schools and higher education. Local secondary schools are located at Ferryhill, Sedgefield, Spennymoor and Newton Aycliffe. The nearest further education colleges are located at Bishop Auckland, Darlington and Durham; all require access to public or private transport

Mosaic profile intelligence indicates that the majority of households within the community are likely to access information and services through direct face to face contact and the use of the telephone or through indirect contact via local newspapers, magazines, post or the internet. Crime and antisocial behaviour Your local Beat Team have stated that the majority of issues reported from this community are in respect of low level vandalism. During 2011/12, livin received only two complaints against nuisance and ASB in the community. Mosaic profile intelligence highlights that the majority of households living within the community will have an average to very low perception or fear of becoming a victim of crime or antisocial behaviour which is supported by consultation responses and low nuisance and ASB complaints. Employment The number of residents in employment or actively seeking employment is substantially higher than the County Durham average. Higher than average numbers of residents are employed in management roles or as professionals such as Doctors or Dentists. In May 2012, a large proportion of residents were claiming Jobseekers Allowance; but fewer people from the area were short term unemployed (up to 6 months) when compared to the County Durham average. 45% of residents claiming Jobseekers Allowance are aged 24-49 years.

Health The general level of health in the community is notably better than the County average. 6% of residents claim Incapacity Benefit as a result of disability or illness. Education 27% of residents have no formal qualifications but on average 6% more people are educated to degree or professional level when compared with the County average.

Your community issues:

Off street parking in some areas

Access to the recreation ground

Poor transport links

Local Offer Bishop Middleham

Your community priority rating livin has been able to rate Bishop Middleham based on the issues that are important in your community. The areas needing the highest priority have been rated as BRONZE.

SILVER BRONZE

Community Issues Priority Rating 2011 - 2012

Priority Rating 2012 – 2013

Buying a house SILVER SILVER

livin housing lets GOLD BRONZE

Demand for livin housing SILVER GOLD

Average repair costs per

property SILVER BRONZE

Long term unemployment

(6 - 12 months) BRONZE BRONZE

Average household income BRONZE BRONZE

Rent arrears GOLD GOLD

Qualifications (5 GCSE’s Grade C & Above)

GOLD GOLD

Community environmental survey

GOLD GOLD

Overall community rating

GOLD SILVER

Your community priority rating explained With the exception of household income, long term unemployment, average repair cost and tenancy turnover all of the other community indicators for Bishop Middleham were ranked as either Silver or Gold. The community has a good level of demand for livin’s homes, low levels of rent arrears and good environmental quality. It is essential that livin strives to maintain these Gold ratings year on year and address those Bronze ratings that have highlighted a need to improve.

BRONZE

GOLD

SILVER we will plan actions to address the issues and monitor throughout 2012-2015

we will support and maintain throughout 2012-2015

we will take actions throughout 2012-2013

Buying a house In general, some homes in Bishop Middleham are more expensive to buy when compared to the County Durham average using local knowledge. However this summary plan shows the average house price as £77,179 which includes the area of West Cornforth as it has not been possible to obtain data on Bishop Middleham only. This could mean for some people cannot afford to stay in the village and have to move out to buy a home they can afford. Average household income The average weekly income for households in the community is £20 lower than the North East average (£410 per week). Therefore, this has been rated Bronze as it is a high priority for Bishop Middleham. livin is keen to help those residents in Bishop Middleham that receive welfare benefits to learn new skills to gain employment. We aim to do this by working closely with local community groups, agencies and local businesses. livin also provides a dedicated Smart Money Team that can help provide information and sign posting about money and debt management. livin | with the community at heart

Long term unemployment As the figures for unemployment between 6-12 months within the community are higher than both the County and National averages this indicator has been rated as Bronze. We have identified that people aged 50 or over find it particularly difficult to find jobs. We are committed to supporting this group to get back to work. Tenancy turnover and demand In any community you can expect to see people moving in and out of the area. Bishop Middleham has a higher than average amount of people moving out of livin homes. We want our tenants to be happy in their homes and settled in their community. Therefore we have given this issue a Bronze priority and will continue to encourage and support livin tenants to stay in their homes. We are encouraged that we have good demand for livin properties in Bishop Middleham and have therefore given a Gold rating to this.

Local Offers Bishop Middleham

Local Offers livin’s Community Coordinator will identify livin tenants and refer them for employment training sessions. livin will deliver a signposting service to livin tenants aged 16 to 24 years with the aim of raising financial confidence. livin will organise two Jobs Fairs in early summer and late Autumn 2013 to provide support to residents seeking to secure employment with transport to them if required. livin will work in partnership with Job Centre Plus and local employers to provide both work experience placements for residents and Employability Training around CV preparation, completing application forms, interview techniques and job search training. livin will develop a pre-apprenticeship programme for residents aged 16 – 18 years, focusing on introductions to vocational training, employability training and work experience. livin will publish its Environmental Assessment Annual Programme detailing the frequency and month(s) of inspection. livin will complete a feasibility study for the provision of off street parking with particular attention to the location around The Park.

Full details of the methodology used for these ratings can be found in livin’s Community Plan for Bishop Middleham. To view or request a full copy of livin’s Community Plan for Bishop Middleham please visit www.livin.co.uk or contact us on 0800 587 4538 (free from a landline) or 0300 111 2234 (low rate from a mobile phone depending on your network).