livin Kirk Merrington 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 Kirk Merrington

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 Kirk Merrington. 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 Kirk Merrington

Average house price: Population:

£68,365 739

livin homes: Average weekly income:

14 £430

Your community Kirk Merrington has a population of 739 and the majority of house prices are £68,365. The average weekly income is £430 which is £20 higher than the North East average. livin is the main registered housing provider for the area and owns 14 properties, consisting of one bedroom bungalows and two and three bedroom houses. Eight of livin’s properties are bungalows. There is a good mix of housing tenures with 86% of households owing their own homes and 4% living in privately rented properties (which is smaller than the County Durham average). 7.4% of households live in livin homes. Kirk Merrington has a younger population when compared to the County Durham average and 56.8% of homes are married couples and family households (this is higher than the County average). The community is served by Spennymoor Town Council and is part of the Spennymoor Area Action Partnership. Services and facilities The community has no shops or health facilities. Travel out of the area is required to buy groceries and for specialist goods and services. Residents say that the current public transport service is poor. Kirk Merrington Primary School is located within the village. The school has a good reputation and is seen as a valuable asset to the village.

Mosaic profile intelligence indicates that the majority of residents of the community are more likely to access information and services through direct face to face contact, or through indirect contact via local newspapers, magazines or post. Crime and antisocial behaviour Your local Beat Team have stated that the majority of issues reported from this community are in respect of minor youth ASB. During 2011/12, livin received no complaints regarding nuisance and ASB in the community. Employment The number of residents in employment or actively seeking employment is higher than the County Durham average. Higher than average numbers of residents are employed in management or professional roles such as doctors, dentists and teachers, or managers, or in skilled trades. In May 2012, there was a lower percentage of long term unemployment (12 months or more) when compared to the County Durham average. During August 2010, 48% of residents claiming Jobseekers Allowance were between 16-24 years old, this is 15% higher than the County average. Plan Summary

Health The general level of health in the community is better than the County average. 9% of residents claim Incapacity Benefit as a result of disability or illness. Education 29.2% of residents have no formal qualifications. 2.7% more residents from the community are educated to degree level when compared to the County Durham average of 14.5%.

Your community issues:

Lack of amenities Poor public transport links Dog fouling Lack of facilities for local people

Your community priority rating livin has been able to rate Kirk Merrington 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 GOLD

Demand for livin housing SILVER GOLD

Average repair costs per

property GOLD GOLD

Long term unemployment

(6 - 12 months) BRONZE BRONZE

Average household income GOLD GOLD

Rent arrears GOLD GOLD

Qualifications (5 GCSE’s Grade C & Above)

GOLD GOLD

Community environmental survey

GOLD GOLD

Overall community rating

GOLD GOLD

Your community priority rating explained This rating has indicated a need to reduce unemployment among residents aged 16 to 24 years. livin must also find ways to support local services and activities for local children and young people in the community. livin | with the community at heart

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, homes in Kirk Merrington are affordable for most households. Therefore this has been rated Silver. However, many residents will require extra support to access affordable housing in the community. Tenancy turnover and demand In any community you can expect to see people moving in and out of the area. Kirk Merrington has an 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 Gold priority. We are encouraged that we have Very good demand for livin properties in Kirk Merrington and have therefore given a Gold rating to this although livin has a low level of stock within the community.

Long term unemployment and education As the figures for long term unemployment 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 16-24 find it particularly difficult to find jobs. There is also a higher than average number of people unemployed for up to 12 months. We are committed to supporting these groups to get back to work. Household Income The weekly household income in Kirk Merrington is estimated to be £20 higher than the North East average. Therefore, this has been rated as Gold. livin is keen to help residents in Kirk Merrington that receive welfare benefits to learn new skills to gain employment and increase household income. We aim to do this by working closely with local community groups, agencies and local businesses

Local Offers Kirk Merrington

Local Offers livin’s Community Coordinator will identify livin tenants and refer them for employment training sessions. 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 work in partnership to establish a flower display in Kirk Merrington to welcome visitors to the village. livin will publish its Environmental Assessment Annual Programme detailing the frequency and month(s) of inspection.

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