livin Shildon 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 Shildon

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 Shildon. 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.

Average house price: Population:

£72,146 10,495 livin homes: Average weekly income:

1,178 £347

livin | with the community at heart

Your community Shildon has a total population of 10,495, and the average house price is £72,146. The average weekly income is £347, this is £63 lower than the North East average. livin is one of the main registered housing providers in the town and owns 1,178 properties, including bedsit bungalows, one to two bedroom bungalows, one to three bedroom flats, two to three bedroom houses, and a four bedroom house. livin’s sheltered housing scheme at West Close contains 36 one and two bedroom flats. 61.6% of households in the town own their home, this is lower than the County Durham average of 66.9%. 5.6% of households live in privately rented properties. 31.1% of households live in social housing (including livin’s homes), this is higher than the County Durham average of 25.4%. 33.8% of households living in Shildon are single persons, this is higher than the County Durham average of 29.2%. 54.3% of households are couples or families. The community is served by Shildon Town Council and is part of the Bishop Auckland and Shildon Area Action Partnership.

Services and facilities Shildon is classed as a main town within South Durham and is proposed as an area of housing growth. The town provides a small number of shops in Church Street and Main Street, two supermarkets, leisure centre, large park and a library. Residents have good access to health services, such as GP and dentist surgeries and pharmacies. Residents say the public transport service in Shildon does not meet their needs. Shildon provides good access to nursery facilities and has a total of three primary schools and a secondary school, Sunnydale Community College. There is also a SureStart Children’s Centre at Byerley Road. The town has a good range of community services, and there are popular community centres at Jubilee Fields and Shildon Peoples Centre each providing a range of community activities for local residents. Mosaic profile data for both the community as a whole, and livin tenants, highlights that the majority of households are more likely to access information and services through direct face to face contact, or via local papers. It is expected that access to information or services through the use of the internet will be low for all household profiles within the town.

livin | with the community at heart

Crime and antisocial behaviour Your local Beat Team have stated that the majority of issues reported from this community are in respect of youth ASB, noise nuisance, violent crime, criminal damage and theft from vehicles. Mosaic profile data highlights that the majority of households living within the town will have a higher than average perception or fear of becoming a victim of crime or antisocial behaviour. Household groups living in livin’s properties are expected to have a high to very high fear of becoming a victim of crime and antisocial behaviour within their local area. During 2011/2012, livin received 33 complaints of nuisance or antisocial behaviour in Shildon. Employment The number of residents in employment, or actively seeking employment (57.0%) is slightly lower than the County Durham average of 60.1%. When compared to the rest of County Durham, a higher number of residents are employed in elementary occupations (for example labourers, kitchen assistants and bar staff,) or as process, plant and machine operatives. During June 2012, 51% of residents that were claiming Jobseekers Allowance were between 25 to 49 years old, this being slightly lower than the County average. 17% of residents aged 50 years or over claiming this benefit represents higher than the County Durham averages.

Your community issues:

Lack of youth facilities Anti-social behaviour Unemployment Poor transport links Issues with the private rented sector

In May 2012, there was a higher percentage of residents unemployed for both six to 12 months and 12 months and over when compared to the rest of County Durham. Health There are high levels of health deprivation in Shildon. Health levels in the town are poorer when compared to the rest of County Durham. In August 2010, 15% of residents claiming a key “out of work benefit” were receiving Incapacity Benefit because of disability or illness. This is high when compared to the rest of County Durham (10%). Education 44.5% of residents have no formal qualifications. 17.4% of residents have five GCSE grades (grade C or above), this is lower than the County Durham average of 18.1%. Only 7.8% of residents have a degree or similar qualification, this is significantly lower than the County Durham average of 14.5%.

Your community priority rating livin has been able to rate Shildon 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 BRONZE BRONZE

Demand for livin housing GOLD SILVER

Average repair costs per

property SILVER BRONZE

Long term unemployment

(6 - 12 months) BRONZE BRONZE

Average household income BRONZE BRONZE

Rent arrears SILVER BRONZE

Qualifications (5 GCSE’s Grade C & Above)

BRONZE BRONZE

Community environmental survey

SILVER SILVER

Overall community rating

BRONZE BRONZE

Your community priority rating explained This rating has indicated a need to reduce unemployment for residents aged 50 years or over, promote and encourage opportunities for education and training and explore the increasing cost of repair to our homes. There is also a need to improve money advice in the community to raise income levels and reduce rent arrears. livin must work in partnership to find ways to improve and support local services and activities for children and young persons in the community. livin will need to look into the reasons for a high tenancy turnover and low demand for our properties within specific areas within Shildon.

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

Crime and antisocial behaviour

Buying a house In general, the cost of buying a home in Shildon is affordable for most households. This has been rated Silver. However, many residents will require extra help and support to access affordable housing in the community. Tenancy turnover and demand In any community you can expect people to move in and out of the area. However, Shildon has a higher than average number of people moving out of livin’s homes. The reasons tenants have stated for leaving are varied. We want tenants to be happy in their homes and settled in their community so this issue has been given a Bronze priority. livin must investigate why a higher than average number of people are moving out of its homes and where possible support our tenants to remain in their homes. livin is pleased that there is fair demand for its properties in Shildon and have given a Silver rating to this. Education The percentage of residents with five GCSE grades (grade C or above) is lower when compared to the rest of County Durham. We have given a Bronze rating to this. The percentage of residents with a degree or similar qualification is also lower when compared to the rest of County Durham. livin wants to increase educational opportunities for its tenants and local residents, and aims to do this by working closely with local community groups, schools and colleges. Long term unemployment The number of residents unemployed for zero to six months, is lower than the County average. However, there are more residents unemployed for six to 12 months and 12 months and over when compared to the rest of County Durham. This indicator has been rated as Bronze.

However, there are more residents unemployed for six to 12 months and 12 months and over when compared to the rest of County Durham. This indicator has been rated as Bronze. livin have identified that people aged 16 to 24, and 50 or over find it particularly difficult to find jobs. livin are committed to supporting these age groups into work. Average household income Weekly household income in Shildon is estimated to be £63 lower than the North East average. This has been rated as Bronze. livin is keen to help residents that receive welfare benefits learn new skills so they can find work and increase their household income. We aim to do this by working closely with local community groups, agencies and businesses. The Mosaic profile for livin tenants highlights that more than three quarters (74%) of households living within livin’s homes are expected to consist of low income families and elderly persons reliant on welfare benefits. livin provides a Smart Money service that can provide information and sign posting about money and debt management. Health Levels of health within Shildon are poorer when compared to the rest of County Durham. livin is keen to help improve health levels within the community and aim to do this by working closely with local health providers, community groups, agencies and businesses. Rent arrears The level of rent arrears in Shildon are higher when compared to the rest of livin’s communities. Therefore we have given this a Bronze rating. livin is aware that not all un paid rent is simply a refusal to pay and therefore will offer support and guidance through our Smart Money Team to those residents but take robust recovery action against those residents who refuse to pay.

Local Offers Shildon

Local Offers livin will implement Foundation Of Light family learning initiative to the schools in Shildon that are identified as being in greatest need in 2012/2013. 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 work in partnership with Crimestoppers to address anti-social behaviour and crime and promote tools that will help tenants report those people responsible. livin will work in partnership with the Community First and Local Multi-Agency Problem Solving Group (LMAPs) to promote drug and alcohol awareness projects. livin will work in partnership with local agencies to encourage innovative new ways to tackle the complex health problems within Shildon. livin will continue to work closely with the Jubilee Fields Community Centre to look at the options available to support activities for young people. livin will coordinate and attend quarterly drop in sessions in Shildon to address anti-social behaviour. livin will carry out works to improve the environment in the Jubilee Fields Estate area. livin will work in partnership with the Shildon Community First group and Durham County Council to identify solutions to problems with private landlords in Shildon. 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 aged16 – 18 years, focusing on introductions to vocational training, employability training and work experience. livin will work with Bishop Auckland and Shildon Area Action Partnership (BASH) to refer residents to an Employability Coach; supplying employability support on a one to one basis. livin will work in partnership with Foundation Of Light to develop a vocational skills programme aimed at year 10 and 11 pupils at Sunnydale Comprehensive School. This programme aims to raise the aspirations of young people and reduce the number of people ‘not in education, employment or training’ (NEET) within Shildon. livin will review and consider options available to promote low demand areas and property types and improve the level of demand for livin homes in Shildon. livin will work in partnership with Durham County Council and local schools to encourage participation in local environmental initiatives. 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 Shildon. To view or request a full copy of livin’s Community Plan for Shildon 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).