Middlestone Moor Local Offer

livin Middlestone Moor 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)

[email protected]

livin.co.uk

Local Offer Middlestone Moor

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 Middlestone Moor. 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:

£68,365 1,787

livin homes: Average weekly income:

369 £430

Your community Middlestone Moor has a population of 1,787 and the average house price is £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 369 properties, consisting of one and two bedroom bungalows, a three bedroom bungalow and a number of one, two and three bedroom flats and two and three bedroom houses. 55% of livin properties are two and three bedroom houses and 27% are bungalows. There is a varied range of housing tenures within the community with 46% of households owning their own home and 2% living in privately rented properties. 50% of households live in livin homes. The community is served by Spennymoor Town Council and is part of the Spennymoor Area Action Partnership. Middlestone Moor has an ageing population when compared to the County Durham average and 35% of homes are single person households (this is higher than the County average). Services and facilities The community does not have a GP or Dental surgery. As the community only benefits from a small number of shops residents will need to travel out of the community for larger supermarkets and for specialist goods and services although nearby Spennymoor can help to support some of their needs. Residents say that the current public transport service is poor and does not meet their requirements. The community has a number of schools, including Middlestone Moor Primary and the Rainbow Nursery (includes an after school club). There is also a newly formed secondary school; Whitworth Park & Sixth Form College. The Meadows and The Oaks provide education for children with specialist educational needs.

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. Crime and antisocial behaviour Your local Beat Team have stated that the majority of issues reported from this community are in respect of criminal damage, vandalism and alcohol related violence. Mosaic profile intelligence highlights that the majority of households living within the community will have an average to high perception or fear of becoming a victim of crime or antisocial behaviour. During 2011/12, livin received thirteen complaints regarding nuisance and ASB in the community. Employment The number of residents in employment or actively seeking employment is significantly lower than the County Durham average. Higher than average numbers of residents are employed as in elementary jobs (such as bar work, cleaning) and manufacturing. In May 2012 a large proportion of residents were claiming Jobseekers Allowance when compared to the rest of Durham County; there was a lower percentage of long term unemployment (12 months or more) when compared to the County Durham average. During June 2012, 44% of residents claiming Jobseekers Allowance were aged 16-24 years old, this is higher than the County Durham average.

Health The general level of health in the community is notably lower than the County Durham average. 19% of residents claim Incapacity Benefit as a result of disability or illness. Education 51% of residents have no formal qualifications, this is significantly higher than the County Durham average. Only 6% of residents are educated to degree or professional level.

Your community issues:

Anti-social behaviour

Employment

Dog fouling / Litter

Activities for children

Poor public transport links

Your community priority rating livin has been able to rate Middlestone Moor 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 SILVER

Demand for livin housing SILVER SILVER

Average repair costs per

property SILVER BRONZE

Long term unemployment

(6 - 12 months) BRONZE BRONZE

Average household income GOLD GOLD

Rent arrears BRONZE BRONZE

Qualifications (5 GCSE’s Grade C & Above)

SILVER SILVER

Community environmental survey

GOLD GOLD

Overall community rating

SILVER SILVER

Your community priority rating explained This rating has indicated a need to support those activities that aim to reduce unemployment, especially among residents aged 16 to 24 years. livin must also find ways to improve and support local services and activities for local children and young persons in the community. livin must also work closely with its tenants to provide money advice, help reduce rent arrears and explore the increasing cost of repair to our homes.

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


livin | with the community at heart

Tenancy turnover and demand In any community you can expect to see people moving in and out of the area. Middlestone Moor has tenancy changes with people moving out of livin homes. We are delighted that most of our tenants are happy in their homes and settled in their community, however, livin will need to investigate the reason why some tenants choose to leave our homes. Therefore we have given this issue a Silver priority and will continue to encourage and support livin tenants to stay in their homes. livin is pleased that there is fair demand for its properties in Middlestone Moor and have therefore given a Silver rating to this. Middlestone Moor (due to its history as a “Council Estate”) has a high proportion of social housing and very low levels of owner-occupation. Rent arrears The level of unpaid rent in Middlestone Moor has increased when compared to some of livin’s other 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.

Education There is a very high number of residents in the community with no formal qualifications at all. This is 15% higher than the County Durham average. Long term unemployment and Income As the figures for unemployment between 0-12 months within the community are higher than the County Durham average this indicator has been rated as Bronze. We have identified that people aged 16 to 24 find it particularly difficult to find jobs. livin is committed to supporting this age group into work. Average household income The weekly household income in Middlestone Moor is estimated to be £20 higher than the North East average. Therefore, this has been rated as Gold. However, this includes households living in Byers Green and Kirk Merrington so the weekly household income for Middlestone Moor alone may be lower. livin is keen to help residents in Middlestone Moor 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. Buying a house In general, homes in Middlestone Moor 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. livin are investing in Middlestone Moor to help the community access new and affordable homes and we expect to have built a total of 13 new properties by the end of 2014. These homes will be two bedroomed bungalows.

What have we done so far…..

North Drive environmental improvement

Before

After

Local Offers livin’s Community Coordinator will identify livin tenants and refer them for employment training sessions. livin will implement Foundation Of Light family learning initiative to the schools in Spennymoor that are identified as being in greatest need in 2013/2014. 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 particularly around the local play area and shops. 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 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 engage with school children and young people to identify suitable leisure activities and work in partnership to deliver these where appropriate. livin will attend 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 work with Durham County Council’s Street Scene Team to undertake a campaign to combat dog fouling issues in the area. livin will build 12 affordable homes to help meet local housing need and try to reduce the number of residents moving out of the area.

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

Documents

Middlestone Moor Local Offer