livin West Cornforth Local Offer 2012-15

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 West Cornforth

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 West Cornforth. 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 West Cornforth

Average house price: Population:

£77,179 2,409 livin homes: Average weekly income:

374 £390

Your community The community of West Cornforth has a population of 2,409 and the average house price is £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 374 properties, consisting of bedsits, flats, houses, bungalows and a sheltered scheme at Thurstan Grange. 47% of livin properties are bungalows. There is a diverse mix of housing tenures with 51% home ownership and 7% private rented sector (which is higher than the County Durham average), 2% of homes are owned by other registered housing providers. The community has its own Parish Council and is part of the 4 Together Area Action Partnership. West Cornforth has an older population compared to the County Durham average and 35% of homes are single person households Services and facilities The community has access to a good range of services including a GP surgery, Cornforth Partnership, library, community centre and a main high street where a number of smaller local shops are located. Travel out of the area is required to visit larger supermarkets and for specialist goods and services. The community is well served by two nurseries’, one of which is private and is located on the site of the Primary School, West Cornforth Primary. This site also contains a SureStart facility. The local secondary schools serving the community can be found at; Whitworth Park & Sixth Form College, Sedgefield Community College or St Leonards.

The closest further education colleges are located at Bishop Auckland, Darlington and Durham, all of which will require access to public or private transport. Residents say that the current public transport service is poor. 39% of households do not own a vehicle. 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, or through indirect contact via local newspapers. 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 and thefts from property. During 2011/12, livin received a total of six complaints regarding nuisance and ASB in the community. Mosaic profile intelligence highlights that the majority of livin households in the community will have a higher than average perception or fear of becoming a victim of crime or antisocial behaviour. Employment The number of residents in employment or actively seeking employment is a lot lower than the Durham County average. Higher than average numbers of residents are employed in plant or machine processing, or in manual work such as labouring, bar work and cleaning, or in a skilled trade. In May 2012, a high percentage of residents were claiming Jobseekers Allowance; but there was a lower percentage of short term unemployment (up to 6 months) when compared to both the County Durham and National average. During June 2012, 50% of residents claiming Jobseekers Allowance were aged between 25 - 49 years old.

Health The general level of health in the community is lower than the County Durham average. 19% of residents are claiming Incapacity Benefit as a result of disability or illness.

Education 48% of residents have no formal qualifications. Only 7% of residents from the community continue onto higher education which is 8% less than the County Durham average.

Your community issues:

Anti-social behaviour

Employment

Environment

Lack of facilities for young people

Local Offer West Cornforth

Your community priority rating livin has been able to rate West Cornforth 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 SILVER SILVER

Average repair costs per

property GOLD SILVER

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

BRONZE BRONZE

Overall community rating

BRONZE BRONZE

Your community priority rating explained

This rating has indicated a need to improve money advice in the community to raise income levels and potentially reduce rent arrears through the support of our Smart Money Team. livin must also find ways to encourage people to stay in livin houses and improve the local environment. Attention also needs to be given to supporting other areas such as education and unemployment.

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 West Cornforth 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. West Cornforth has a higher than average amount of people moving out of livin homes. The reasons tenants have stated for leaving are varied. 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 want to encourage livin tenants to stay in their homes where possible. We are encouraged that we have demand for livin properties and have therefore given a Silver rating to this. We understand that to achieve a Gold rating we must focus on the housing options available for our older residents. Rent arrears The level of rent arrears in West Cornforth 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.

Average household income The weekly household income in West Cornforth is estimated to be £20 lower than the North East average. Therefore, this has been rated Bronze as it is a high priority for people in West Cornforth. livin is keen to help residents in West Cornforth 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 will use the expertise of its Smart Money Team who can help provide information and sign posting about money and debt management. Long term unemployment and education As the figures for long term unemployment within the community are higher than both the County and National average this indicator has been rated as Bronze. However, we have identified that people aged 25-49 find it particularly difficult to find jobs. There is also a higher than average number of people unemployed for up to six months. We are committed to supporting these groups to get back to work. Education There is a high number of people in this area without formal qualifications. This community issue has been rated Bronze and livin will be working closely with schools and colleges to raise this to Silver.

What have we done so far:

• Assisted with funding and the promotion of the Cornforth in Bloom project • Assisted with funding for the Skills for Success employability project at Cornforth House

which is aimed at giving residents of West Cornforth the skills needed to help find employment

• Actively supported and assisted Durham County Council Community Action Team in tackling local housing and environmental issues in West Cornforth

• Promotion of all services provided by the Cornforth Partnership together with assisting with publicity for events by advertising on Twitter, Facebook and the livin website

• New kitchen provided and fitted by our partners, Mears, for the use of the Cornforth Partnership Community Café.

Local Offer West Cornforth

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 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 coordinate and attend quarterly drop in sessions to address anti-social behaviour. 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 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. livin will attend and Police and Communities Together (PACT) meetings as required throughout the year to discuss issues facing the community and to ensure livin resources are targeted in the appropriate areas. livin will promote the Lifewise Programme at Cornforth House aiming to advise and support young people aged between 16 and 25 years old in managing their own homes. livin will work in partnership with the Travellers’ Liaison Service when dealing with issues relating to the Travelling Community. livin will work in partnership with local health providers to support identified health priorities for the area. livin will help to promote the Cornforth Partnership Chrysalis Project which will provide advice and support for healthy family relationships. livin will support green initiatives and community projects that aim to improve environmental quality and sustainability of West Cornforth. livin is committed to reducing the numbers of tenants moving out of livin properties and will introduce local lettings policies to combat anti-social behaviour issues if required.

Full details of the methodology used for these ratings can be found in livin’s Community Plan for West Cornforth. To view or request a full copy of livin’s Community Plan for West Cornforth please visit 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).