Stevenage 2021 Our town - our future - The second Stevenage Community Strategy 2007 - Stevenage Borough Council
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Stevenage 2021
Our town – our future
The second Stevenage Community Strategy 2007
Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 3 Contents ● Foreword page 5 ● Our community strategy - taking Stevenage forward page 7 ● Stevenage in the 21st Century page 11 ● A snapshot of Stevenage page 13 ● Stevenage 2021 – our vision page 17 ● Children and young people page 19 ● Healthier communities and older people page 27 ● Safer stronger communities page 35 ● Economic development and the environment page 47 ● So Stevenage members page 58 ● So Stevenage performance measures page 59
Page 4 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
Sharon Taylor – Chair of So Stevenage
Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 5
Foreword
Being Stevenage born and bred, I’m Stevenage and improving its image,
very passionate about the town and its recognising local success and raising
communities. And my colleagues on people’s aspirations.
So Stevenage are equally determined to
There’s a lot to do and we’re tackling
do their best for the people of Stevenage.
some difficult issues but we are fortunate
A lot of effort has gone into making that we can build on some great
sure that the Partnership is focussing on achievements. Ultimately we want
what local people want Stevenage to be people to think of Stevenage like we
in 2021. do - as a great place to be.
The work we are doing is based on what
local people say is most important to
them. The priorities and actions in this
document have come about through
extensive consultation with residents,
businesses, community and voluntary
groups and other organisations. Sharon Taylor
Chair of So Stevenage
Our work isn’t only about improving the
social, economic and environmental
well-being of the town. It’s also about
changing people’s perceptions of
Page 6 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
Stevenage town centre – plans for a new multi-million pound centre are progressing well
Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 7
Our community Strategy –
taking Stevenage forward
Stevenage Partnership The vision reflects what local people say
is most important to them and we have
A wide range of public, private, voluntary established our priorities in consultation
and community organisations have come with local people. We consulted on our
together to form our local strategic vision and priorities through:
partnership called ‘So Stevenage’.
The membership of So Stevenage is ● Questionnaire in ‘Chronicle’,
set out at the end of this document. the council newspaper delivered to
So Stevenage is responsible for producing every home.
a community strategy and making sure ● Presentations at the area committees
that it is carried out.
● Information stand at Stevenage Day
Our Community Strategy ● Debate at council meeting.
The community strategy is the main
Ipsos MORI undertook a Quality of Life
partnership document for the town.
Survey interviewing over 1,000 local
It shows how we are working together to
people.
improve Stevenage and contribute to the
sustainable development of the town – Other consultation included:
that means meeting today’s needs ● ‘Vox Pops’ – young people
without compromising the ability of future
interviewed on video
generations to meet their own needs.
● Community conferences in 2006
This is our second community strategy.
and 2007
We published our first strategy with a
three-year action plan in September 2004. ● Consultations on specific issues
We have updated it taking into account such as open space, facilities for
changing circumstances. young people and the redevelopment
of the town centre.
Vision and Priorities We have also analysed lots of facts and
figures about Stevenage.
Our community strategy sets out a
long-term vision of how we want We have considered national and regional
Stevenage to be in 2021. developments that affect Stevenage.
These include the Local Government
It is impossible to include everything that
White Paper (2006), the draft East of
might be relevant to the well-being of
England Plan and a range of national and
Stevenage. We have therefore identified
regional policies relating to education,
a series of priorities to improve the social,
health, crime and disorder, the economy
economic and environmental well-being
and the environment.
of the town.
Page 8 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
Delivering the Vision Working in Partnership
Our strategy looks forward to 2021 and Themed partnerships such as the
the vision and priorities are supported by Stevenage Crime and Disorder Reduction
a set of targets so that we can check Partnership and the Stevenage Childrens
progress. 14 years is a long time to plan District Trust Partnership have developed
ahead in any detail so our targets are for more detailed strategies and plans.
the next three years. Each partner also has their own business
plan or strategy showing what they will do
All ten Hertfordshire district councils and
individually to improve the area. We have
Hertfordshire County Council have
aligned our community strategy with
signed up to the Hertfordshire Local
these strategies and plans.
Area Agreement (LAA). The LAA has
been agreed with the government and it
contains a range of targets aimed at Monitoring Progress – and
improving the performance of public
services over the next three years. We
Keeping you Informed
have structured our community strategy Progress on the delivery of this strategy
in line with the four LAA themes and it will will be monitored regularly and reported
contribute to the delivery of the LAA. The to the Partnership. Progress reports will
LAA themes are: be produced annually and published in
Chronicle magazine and on the
● Children and Young People So Stevenage website:
● Healthier Communities and www.stevenagepartnership.org
Older People
● Safer and Stronger Communities
● Economy, Enterprise and the
Environment,
Our community strategy will link up with
the Hertfordshire Community Strategy,
due to be published early in 2008.
Stevenage Borough Council has
produced a Local Development
Framework (LDF), a comprehensive set of
land use policies and plans. We have
reviewed the links between the community
strategy and the LDF to make sure that
our vision and priorities are clearly
reflected in the LDF.
Stevenage town centre shops
Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 9
Annual Forum
Board
Executive
Community Strategy Organisations’
Theme Representation Representation
Economic Stevenage Hertfordshire
Safer Stronger
Development Borough Council County Council
Communities
and Environment Representative Representative
Community Social
Business A Green District District County
Safety Inclusion
Forum Forum Councillor Councillor Councillor
Forum Forum
Community
Children and Health Communities Business
and Voluntary
Young People and Older People Representation
Representation
Community Community
Children’s Learning Health Business Business and Voluntary and Voluntary
Trust Forum Community Community Sector Sector
Community
and Voluntary
Sector
Page 10 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
Walkway leading to Westgate shopping centreStevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 11
Stevenage in the
21st Century
Stevenage – Britain’s First
New Town
Stevenage was built as a new town to
provide homes, jobs and a better quality
of life for people moving from London
after the Second World War. The people
that designed Stevenage had a powerful
vision and the town is regarded as one of
the most outstanding achievements in
town planning and development in the
20th century.
Situated 30 miles north of London off
the A1(M), Stevenage is now home to
approximately 80,000 people. The town
offered first class facilities, homes, jobs
and a pleasant environment. Stevenage
has the first pedestrian only town centre Stevenage clock tower – in the
in the country and the character of the heart of the town centre
nearby Old Town High Street has been
retained.
Regenerating Stevenage
In common with other early post war New
Industrial, commercial and residential
Towns Stevenage is in need of regeneration.
areas are segregated. The town is
The town centre, the main industrial areas
particularly strong in the aerospace and
and the local neighbourhood centres are
pharmaceutical industries. MBDA and
all out of date. Work has already started
EADS Astrium are world leaders and
on redesigning and rebuilding them.
Stevenage was chosen by Glaxo
SmithKline as the location for their £700 However, the regeneration of the town is
million European research centre. not just about new buildings. There are a
range of social and economic issues that
The residential areas are centred around
need to be tackled. The level of social
the original seven neighbourhoods and
deprivation in Stevenage is average
developments to the north-east, east and
compared with the country overall.
south of the town in the 1980s and
However, a significant number of
1990s. There are ten neighbourhood
Stevenage people do not enjoy the same
centres providing local shopping and
quality of life as many people do in the
community facilities plus open spaces
rest of Hertfordshire - poor health, lack
and play areas all linked by wide roads
of qualifications, low skills and low
and a network of pedestrian and cycle
aspirations.
routes.Page 12 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
East of England Plan growth in Hertfordshire is likely to be in
business and professional services,
The East of England Regional Assembly computing and retailing. The delivery of
has produced a draft East of England high levels of employment growth in
Plan. The plan provides a framework for Stevenage will depend on the ability to
local authorities to produce more detailed attract these businesses and diversify the
development plans and local transport economic base.
plans for their areas.
The Plan says that by 2021 there should
The Plan identifies Stevenage as a key be 16,000 new homes in the area and an
centre for development and change in extension of the town West of the A1M is
the Eastern Region. The plan is to deliver needed to deliver this level of growth.
a new vision for Stevenage as an
employment and housing growth area and The Plan is still being consulted on and a
as “a strong centre allied with physical, decision on adopting it will be
social and economic regeneration.” made soon.
The Plan makes provision for substantial
employment growth in Stevenage but
does not set a jobs growth target. Job
Stevenage town centre shopsStevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 13
A snapshot of
Stevenage
Stevenage is a compact urban area - The population is forecast to increase
25,412 m2 - with a population of nearly 5.5% by 2009, one of the highest growth
80,000 people. rates in Hertfordshire. Stevenage has a
higher average number of young people,
a lower than average number of people of
Total number of people 79715 pensionable age and a relatively low
proportion of Black Minority Ethnic (BME)
Males 39166 communities. 94.58% of the population is
Females 40549 white.
Aged 0 to 15 17941 Stevenage is ranked 203 out of 354
English districts on the Index of Multiple
Aged 16 to 74 57007 Deprivation.
Aged 75 and over 4767 Stevenage has the highest number of
people living in local authority housing in
Hertfordshire.
A ‘basket’ of social, economic and
environmental indicators for 2005/2006
highlights significant difference between
Stevenage, Hertfordshire and England.
Fairlands Valley Park –
stunning throughout the seasonsPage 14 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
Stevenage young people have a lower One in five children live in poverty. There
rate of educational achievement than are a high proportion of children living in
Hertfordshire overall and less graduates. single parent families.
GCSE (5 A* - C)
Children in poverty
70 65%
59% 20 19%
60 18%
50% 18
50
16
40
14
30 12%
12
20 10
10 8
0 6
Stevenage Hertfordshire England
4
2
Degree qualification
0
Stevenage Hertfordshire England
40
32%
30 26%
Average life expectancy
19%
20
10
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
0
0
Stevenage Hertfordshire England
Stevenage 76.6
The Stevenage teenage pregnancy rate
was nearly double the Hertfordshire rate Hertfordshire 77.9
in 2004. Although there has been a
reduction in recent years it is still higher
than the rest of Hertfordshire. England 76.6
Teenage pregnancy
per 1,000 people Stevenage 80.5
60
52 Hertfordshire
81.7
50
42
40
29 80.9
30 England
20
10
0 Male
Stevenage Hertfordshire England FemaleStevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 15
Smoking, unhealthy eating and lack of The overall crime rate for Stevenage
exercise all contribute to a lower life compares favourably with similar towns.
expectancy than Hertfordshire overall. Violent offences is the highest volume
crime. Rates of vehicle crime are at the
national average and rates of domestic
People who smoke as a percentage
burglary are below the national average.
of the population
35
All crime – offences per 1,000
30
35
26% 26%
25 29.6
30
21%
20 25.8
25
22.9
15
20
10
15
5
10
0
5
Stevenage Hertfordshire England
0
Stevenage Hertfordshire England
Death from smoking per 100,000
population
Violent crime – offences per 1,000
Stevenage 125
Hertfordshire 112 7 6.5
England 125 6
5.0
5
30 3.9
4
25
20 3
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Stevenage
15
Stevenage
2
10
5 1
0
0
Healthy eating Obese adults as Stevenage Hertfordshire England
as a percentage a percentage of
of the population the populationPage 16 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
Domestic burglary and Stevenage has a lower rate of businesses
vehicle crime registered for VAT than Hertfordshire
overall.
10
9.6 Business - VAT registrations
9.3
per 10,000
9
8.4
400
8
350
300 383
7
250 226
6
200
5 150
100
4
50
3.0
3 0
2.6
Stevenage Hertfordshire
2.2
2
1
Stevenage residents recycle as much
waste as the national average but less
0 than the average for Hertfordshire.
Stevenage Hertfordshire England However, there has been a sharp rise in
the rate of waste recycled since 2002.
domestic burglary
vehicle crime
Percentage of household waste
(including composting) recycled
40 36.2%
30 26.9% 26.7%
20
10
0
Stevenage Hertfordshire EnglandStevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 17 Stevenage 2021 – our vision We set our vision for Stevenage 2021 back in 2004 and it has not changed Our vision is to create a town that is prosperous, healthy, clean, green and safe. We want Stevenage to be a town with a strong sense of community in which people are proud to live, work, visit and do business. We want Stevenage to grow in a sustainable way and to be an important regional centre looking ahead and building on its new town heritage.
Page 18 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
Children enjoying AutumnStevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 19
Children
and young people
What we aim to achieve
We aim to support and enable all children and young people in
Stevenage to enjoy good health, live a healthy lifestyle and
stay safe from harm and neglect. We want our children and
young people to grow up able to look after themselves, enjoy
their life as children, achieve their full potential and develop
the skills to lead a fulfilling and rewarding adult life.
How things are now
Stevenage was one of the first
Hertfordshire districts to set up a
Children’s Trust Partnership. The
Partnership involves a wide range of
organisations committed to improving the
five outcomes set out in Every Child
Matters, the national framework for
children and young people’s services.
These are:
● Being healthy
● Being safe
● Enjoying and achieving
● Making a positive contribution
● Achieving economic well-being.
Recent developments
have included:
● A pilot ‘Common Assessment
Framework’ designed to make sure
information is better shared between
agencies working with children and
their families. This is now being used
throughout Hertfordshire.Page 20 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
● The 14-19 Partnership is recognised ● A play strategy has been produced
nationally as an exemple of good and is being implemented. The
practice. Secondary schools, special Children’s Fund has provided 21
schools, North Hertfordshire College projects delivering a wide range of
and Hertfordshire Chamber of preventative services for children and
Commerce and Industry offer young young people in Stevenage.
people a wider choice of curriculum
● A teenage pregnancy strategy has
and better support services by working
been implemented including school
together. For example, the Partnership
nurse led projects, health visitor
is providing work placements for
support to young parent groups and
school students who are participating
multi-agency training for professionals.
in the Young Apprenticeship in
Business and Administration
programme, the only scheme of its
kind in Hertfordshire. Facts and figures
● The government is making £145 ● One in five children in Stevenage
million available to Stevenage in 2008 live in an income-deprived
through the ‘Building Schools for the household and Stevenage has
Future’ (BSF) programme. This will the second highest take up of free
radically change the way that school meals in Hertfordshire.
education is delivered in Stevenage.
● Stevenage children do well at
● Six Children’s Centres are being set up school up to the age of 14 and
and three Extended Schools Consortia Stevenage is on or above the
have been established providing a national average score for Key
wide range of locally based activities, Stage 2 results for reading, writing
services and information for children, and maths.
young people and their families.
However
● Plans have been drawn up to provide
a new Integrated Youth Support ● Stevenage has fewer young people
Service in 2008 combining the achieving 5 A*-C grades than the
resources of Connexions Hertfordshire national and Hertfordshire average
and Hertfordshire County Council and the highest rate of young
Youth Service. The new service will people not in education,
provide support targeted at young employment or training in
people with more complex needs, Hertfordshire. Only 15% of
advice and guidance on learning residents have a degree or
choices and programmes to higher qualification.
encourage volunteering. ● Stevenage had the highest rate of
● A local Safeguarding Children Board teenage pregnancy in Hertfordshire.
has been established. Safeguarding Whilst further reductions are
Children policies and procedures for required 2004/2005 data shows
district councils have been piloted in that the rate has fallen by 34%
Stevenage. between 1998 and 2004.Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 21
Children’s Centres
A wide range of organisations Hertfordshire and five more Here’s Danielle’s story:
are working together to Children’s Centres have
“Before I went to mother
provide services for very been set up across
and toddler groups I was
young children and their Stevenage. The centre
really scared and didn’t
families. Services include opened its doors in 2006.
know what to expect.
early years education and Facilities include a crèche
I thought I would be
childcare, health services, room, toy library and a
ignored or that everyone
parenting and information meeting room.
would already have formed
support, links with
Many innovative projects friendships.
JobCentre Plus and adult
have been set up including
and community learning. As soon as I turned up at
a speech and language
the baby and toddler group
Bedwell was a pilot for therapist who works with
at Shephall Children’s
Children’s Centres throughout staff as well as children.
Centre, Jane the play worker
welcomed me and
immediately introduced me
to everyone. They all made
me feel welcome and my
fear just went away. Now I
wouldn’t miss a session.
Going there gives me
something to look forward
to and gives Kady someone
to play with and also
develops her confidence.
By going to the Children’s
Centre I found out about
the healthy eating course
I go to. I’ve been to a
starting school workshop
to prepare for when Kady
goes to school and I am
trying to attend a lot of
other toddler groups in
the area.”
case
study
Danielle and daughter KadyPage 22 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
Upfront Football Project
Something had to be done. sport they enjoy and brings Just some of the comments
Shoppers were complaining together young people from from the young people
about young people being a different communities. themselves included:
nuisance in the Broadwater “Can we do it again?”
The youth service made
shopping area. The young “Proper wicked” and “I’ve
contact with these
people were complaining made new mates, you
youngsters and organised
that they had no where to should carry this on.”
volunteer coaches from
play football during the
Bedwell Rangers Football ‘Upfront’ is now an
winter months.
Club to offer 10 weeks of ongoing project.
The Upfront football project free football coaching at
gives children who don’t go Shephalbury Sports
to football clubs or attend Academy. Free transport case
other youth activities
something to do. It
was provided and more
sessions were organised.
study
encourages them to stay
active by regularly playing a
Hundreds of children have taken part in the Upfront football projectStevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 23
The MBA Association
The MBA Association has The MBA Association has basketball, cheerleading,
received the Queen’s Award provided youth projects and skateboarding and BMX for
for Voluntary Service in social mentoring to 5-19 hundreds of young people
recognition of the vital role year olds in Stevenage every week.
played by the ‘unsung since 2003. It runs youth
heroes’ of the voluntary clubs and sports case
sector. programmes including
study
Children from MBA projectsPage 24 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
What you have told us Our priorities and what
Some of the issues that young people we will do
have talked to us about include: Help children and young people
● Feeling safe in Stevenage. Young achieve their potential at all ages
people want to see more of a Police ● Raise aspirations and the level of
presence in the neighbourhoods and educational attainment through targeted
they want help dealing with intervention in schools
bullying
● Raise skill levels by encouraging
● Incentives for children and young young people to engage in further
people to get involved in local education, employment or training on
democracy with more information leaving school
about the Youth Council linked to
school councils ● Implement the ‘Building Schools for
the Future’ programme
● More facilities for young people aged
14-18. Young people want affordable ● Provide information, guidance and
leisure facilities and they feel that advice on learning choices and
better publicity for existing activities provide targeted support to young
is needed people with more complex needs.
● Career prospects. Young people feel Help children and young people
that more educational and job have good things to do and places
opportunities such as the Young to go
Apprenticeships Scheme and work
experience are needed. ● Make sure that children growing up in
Stevenage have access to the best
Some of the issues that adults have possible play opportunities and that
talked to us about regarding young teenagers have access to things to do
people include: and places to go
● More activities and leisure facilities ● Continue to implement the Stevenage
targeted at young people Play Strategy
● Play areas need to be improved ● Develop and deliver a programme of
local activities for young people that is
● More support to enhance
both affordable and responsive to
parenting skills local needs.
● Local companies need to be more
involved in improving the career Involve children and young people
prospects of children and young in decision-making
people. ● Engage children and young people in
decision-making and encourage them
to play an active part in the local
community
● Increase the participation of children in
Stevenage Youth Council and school
councilsStevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 25
injury and death, safe from bullying
and discrimination and safe from
crime and anti-social behaviour in and
out of school
● Empower young people to make
well-informed choices about their
lifestyle and promote good health by
offering support on healthy eating,
smoking, drug and alcohol use
● Promote access to services including
six Children’s Centres and three
extended schools consortia.
Encourage all schools to become
‘Healthy Schools’.
Strategies and plans
Detailed plans for delivering the five
● Encourage young people to become Every Child Matters outcomes in
volunteers and extend volunteering Stevenage are set out in:
programmes to young people aged
16 and under. The Stevenage Children and
Young People’s Plan
2007-2008. This document can be
Reduce teenage pregnancy and
found at: www.hertsdirect.org
improve sexual health
● Reduce the rate of teenage The Stevenage Plan is part of the
Hertfordshire strategic framework for
conceptions and reduce the
children and young people and this is
transmission of sexually transmitted
set out in:
infections amongst teenagers through
education and targeted prevention The Hertfordshire Children and
work Young People Plan 2006/2009.
An annual review of the CYPP,
● Continue to implement the
entitled One Year On 2007/2008,
Hertfordshire Teenage Pregnancy
sets out priorities and planned
Strategy in Stevenage.
improvements for 2007/2008 across
the five Every Child Matters
Safeguard children and young outcomes. These documents can be
people and promote their health found at: www.hertsdirect.org
and well-being
● Promote safer environments for
children and young people and
safeguard them by making sure that
they are safe from maltreatment,
neglect, violence and sexual
exploitation, safe from accidentalPage 26 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
We want Stevenage to have healthier peopleStevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 27
Healthier Communities
and Older People
What we aim to achieve
We aim to improve the health of Stevenage people, reduce
health inequalities and make sure that everyone has equal
access to quality health care.
How things are now the 16-24 and 45+ age groups and to
increase sports volunteering.
Local partnership arrangements for
healthier communities and older people ● A range of services to help people
are being reviewed following the recent stop smoking including a ‘Quit
health service reorganisation that resulted Smoking’ freephone number.
in the setting up of two Primary Care Pharmacists have been trained to
Trusts in Hertfordshire. provide one-to-one stop smoking
support in their pharmacies. Practice
Nearly all of the services commissioned
nurses and other staff have been
by Hertfordshire County Council Adult
trained to work with people in GP
Care Services are from the independent
practices
sector and many other services are
provided in partnership with the NHS, ● Community based mental health
Stevenage Borough Council and voluntary services have been developed
and community organisations. including alcohol and drug prevention
and rehabilitation programmes. People
Partnership working to improve the
with serious problems have access to
health of local people has included:
specialised services and short-term
● Partnerships between health and care in emergencies.
sports sectors with activities such
Partnership working to improve the quality
as walks, swimming, falls prevention,
of life of older people includes:
health projects within the workplace
and social sport for fun sessions. ● The concessionary travel scheme for
The Community Sports Network is older people which has been extended
working to increase participation in to cover journeys across Hertfordshire
and into adjoining areas.Page 28 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
50+ leisure class
● The Leisure 50 programme has been ● ‘Intermediate ‘care’ services designed
extended offering opportunities to get to support older people outside of
involved in a range of courses from hospital have been developed
theatre skill to keep fit at a variety of
● A review of community meals
community centres within Stevenage
provision with proposals to set up a
● Development of information and new service provided by a social
advocacy services provided by Age enterprise.
Concern Stevenage
The Hertfordshire Primary Care Trusts are
● Expanded provision of extra care at consulting on the future provision of
supported housing including a 22 health services in the county. Proposals
place scheme at Silkin Court include:
● Development of ‘telecare’ services – ● Bring together acute hospital services
equipment that lets someone know in east and north Hertfordshire at
that support is required either the Lister in Stevenage or the
QEII in Welwyn Garden City. Provide
● A Falls Prevention Clinic has been
local general hospital services at
established at Lister Day Hospital and whichever site is not selected as the
the Anchor ‘Staying Put’ small repairs acute site.
service has been established
● Develop two local general hospitals in
● Stroke services have been developed
Hertfordshire, each providing a wide
including a register of people at risk range of health services for its local
maintained by GPs community. One of these hospitals
would be at Hemel Hempstead andStevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 29
the other would be in either Welwyn
Garden City or at Stevenage in five taking no part in sport or
dependent upon which was chosen recreational activity in the last 28
as the acute site. days
● A network of seven urgent care ● The rate of claiming sickness
centres across Hertfordshire. benefit due to mental health
problems is lower than the England
average
Facts and figures ● The rate of road injuries and
● Although broadly in line with deaths is lower than the England
national averages, Stevenage average but still affects about 30
people are on average in poorer people every year
health than people elsewhere in ● The proportion of people aged 60
Hertfordshire years or over in Stevenage is
● Life expectancy for males and below the national average
females is similar to the England ● The numbers of older people will
average but significantly lower than increase and by 2021 more than
the regional average. There is a 1 in 5 Stevenage residents will be
difference of 4.7 years in life aged 60 or over and the numbers
expectancy between the best and of the very old will grow most
worst wards significantly - a 50% increase in
● The rate of early death due to heart the numbers of people aged 85+
disease and stroke is similar to the by 2016 is projected compared
England rate and has fallen in with an average of 35% in
recent years. Although no higher Hertfordshire
than elsewhere, smoking kills ● Hospital admission rates for serious
around 125 people every year accidental injury for older people
● Only 1 in 6 adults are estimated are higher than the national
to eat healthily. This is below the average especially those over 85
England and regional averages years old.
● 1 in 6 adults binge drinks and death
rates from alcohol related illnesses
are lower than the England average
but higher than the regional
average
● The Active People Survey (Sport
England) findings are that more
than half of Stevenage residents
were inactive. This was higher
than for the East and England.
The highest levels of inactivity were
seen in females, with nearly threePage 30 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
Smokefree Hertfordshire
Two thirds of smokers want good working relationships in smoking cessation
to stop and 83% wish that with local community questionnaire was sent to
they had never started pharmacists and general 324 local workplaces
smoking in the first place. practices. across North Herts and
Stevenage, 159 of these
Smokefree Hertfordshire is There are general practices
workplaces were based
an group of Hertfordshire and nine pharmacists in
in Stevenage.
organisations working Stevenage providing stop
together to encourage a smoking support under the The questionnaire was
reduction in smoking PCT Local Enhanced designed to offer support
through education and Service agreement. There and advice on smoking
advice. The group promotes are also three specialist cessation for employees in
good practice and support clinics at The Hyde Out, a variety of ways ranging
including the ‘No Smoking Shephall, Bedwell Community from provision of information,
Day’ campaign and the first Centre and Stevenage smoke free policy
Totally Smoke Free Eating Borough Council offices. development and
Guide in the UK. implementation, referral of
Working with full support
staff to local stop smoking
The local Primary Care from the Hertfordshire
support and/or
Trust (PCT) employs two Chamber of Commerce, an
guidance on how to help
stop smoking advisors who initial expression of interest
staff quit.
have helped develop
Stop smoking teamStevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 31
Extra care housing
Having your own home is Stevenage. Support to live The extra care scheme is a
very important – it’s the independently in a secure, partnership between
place you feel safest, and is warm and friendly Hertfordshire County
somewhere that is yours. community is provided 24 Council, Stevenage Borough
However, as people get hours a day by Stevenage Council and Stevenage
older, or have to manage Homes. Help with personal Homes, with the care
with disabilities, extra help care is provided by an service being provided by
may be needed in order to onsite team to all the flats a local home care agency.
stay at home. in the main sheltered
housing block and to
Silkin Court is the largest
some of the surrounding
supported housing scheme
bungalows.
for older people in
Silkin Court – one of the town’s supported housing schemesPage 32 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
What you have told us
Generally, people in Stevenage feel
healthy.
● 63% of people say that their health
over the last six months has been
either excellent or very good. 80%
of 16-24 year olds say that their health
has been good compared with 42%
of over-65 year olds
● A third of residents (33%) say that
they always lead a healthy lifestyle
and 32% say that they lead a healthy
lifestyle most of the time
● 28% of residents say that they have a
healthy diet all of the time, 36% say
that they do this most of the time and
17% say that they do this ’quite often’
● 19% of residents say that they take
regular exercise and equally, 19% say
that they hardly ever take exercise.
30% of residents say that they take
part in at least ’30 minutes of
‘moderate intensity exercise five
times or more a week.
Older people have told us that
they want: ● A broad range of services including
● More control and say over the handyperson, advocacy, befriending,
services they receive day care and hospital discharge.
● A ‘seamless’ journey through health
and social care Our priorities and what we
● Services which help people get back will do
on their feet after a hospital stay and Create healthier lifestyles
specialist services when needed
● Promote healthy lifestyles through
● Quick and easy access to equipment improved diet and nutrition, sensible
and help with major adaptations drinking and by taking more physical
exercise including walking, cycling
● Easy access to information and
and participation in sport. Help people
being able to contact someone who
to stop smoking and to not start
can help
smoking in the first place.Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 33
Create opportunities for Ensure access to quality health
older people care services
● Promote the quality of life of older ● Transform health care services
people, enable older people to enjoy bringing them closer to patients
healthy lives and to continue to live with more healthcare being provided
independent lives in the community for outside of main acute hospitals and
as long as possible with major acute hospitals increasingly
being used for specialist inpatient or
● Involve older people in the planning
emergency care.
of services so that they can exercise
choice and control over services
tailored to their needs, including
direct payments
Strategies and plans
● Review the provision of sheltered There is currently no local health
housing and plan to meet future needs improvement plan for Stevenage
for residential and nursing care. following recent changes in health
Develop new services such as service structures. Key priorities for
telecare, extra care housing and East and North Hertfordshire for
remodelled home care services. 2007/2008 are set out in the East
Develop a wide range of preventative and North Hertfordshire PCT
services including advocacy, Public Health Annual Report
befriending, hospital discharge, handy 2007. This document can be found
person, day care and carers support at: www.enhertspct.nhs.uk
● Develop specialist services for older The Hertfordshire Adult Care
people with mental health problems, Strategy sets out plans for the
equipment services and intermediate development of services for older
care services that prevent people. Hertfordshire County Council
unnecessary admissions to hospital. has had a multi-agency Carer’s
Strategy in place since 1995. Copies
of these documents can be found at:
www.hertsdirect.org
The Hertfordshire PCTs were
consulting on plans for the future
provision of hospital and community
based health services as we went to
press. Details can be found at:
www.enhertspct.nhs.ukPage 34 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
Asian Women’s Network – where women can get out of the home and meet new peopleStevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 35 Safer Stronger Communities What we aim to achieve A Stronger Community We aim to improve everyone’s quality of life and improve the life chances of people living in the more deprived parts of the town. To make Stevenage a place where everyone is valued, regardless of race, religion, disability, age or gender. To give local people a real say in the decisions that affect their lives. To improve the image of Stevenage and pride in the town. A Safer Community We aim to reduce the level of crime and anti-social behaviour and to reduce the fear of crime and disorder. Housing We aim to provide good quality, affordable homes in clean, green, safe and well-maintained neighbourhoods with excellent transport links. Culture We aim to develop opportunities in sport, arts and leisure as a means of bringing people together.
Page 36 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
How things are now ● Stevenage CAB has provided advice
and information on housing rights,
The prosperity of Stevenage people varies
welfare rights and benefits, money
widely from affluence to social deprivation.
and debt, consumer rights and
A Social Inclusion Forum has been set up
employment rights in community
to tackle ‘social exclusion’ – social
settings
exclusion is "what can happen when
people or areas suffer from a combination ● Stevenage Credit Union has set up
of linked problems such as unemployment, a junior savers club for children.
poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, The Credit Union has nearly 1,000
high crime, bad health and family members and provides savings, low
breakdown" interest loans and free life insurance
to members
Recent developments relating to social
inclusion include: ● Outreach work in the community
● A social inclusion strategy that sets including an Asian women’s group
and community education work
out practical steps to improve life
with travellers.
chances of groups at risk of exclusion.
Public services such as local
authorities, the health service and the
Police have developed equality and
diversity policies and plans
Stevenage Credit Union – a fantastic local organisation
helping people to manage their financesStevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 37
Index of Deprivation 2004
Martins Wood
Bandley Hill
The Index of Multiple Deprivation ranks social
deprivation across seven themes – health and
disability, employment, income, education,
skills and training, living environment and
barriers to housing and services.
Stevenage is ranked 203 out of
354 English districts.
Levels of social deprivation vary across the
town. The highest levels of social deprivation
are recorded in Bedwell and the lowest are
recorded in Manor.Page 38 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
Recent developments relating to
community involvement include:
● Green Heart Partnership (GHP) and
HTA Landscape Design have been
appointed to redesign the 3.85 hectare
Town Centre Gardens
● ‘Vox Pops’ - a project designed to
connect with people that more
traditional consultation methods fail to
reach. Local people gave face-to-face
and immediate feedback – good and
bad - on camera. The video can be
viewed on the HertsDirect website:
www.hertsdirect.org.uk
● ‘Street Meets’ – local residents meet
with councillors, community
development officers, the police
and youth workers. ‘Street Meets’
encourage residents to report crime
and anti-social behaviour and hear
about the benefits of setting up a
Local performer at annual Neighbourhood Watch group
Celebrate event ● Stevenage Youth Council meets
regularly to discuss issues that
● ‘Celebrate’ has become an annual
concern young people. The Youth
event at the Gordon Craig Theatre that Council is linked to school councils.
celebrates the different culture and
communities in the town. All the acts
are volunteers from local groups that
represent the talents and achievements
of Stevenage’s multi-cultural
community.
Involving people and communities in local
decision-making leads to better service
provision and stronger, more confident
communities. Involving local people
means not only informing and consulting
them, important as that is. It also means
devolving the management of local
facilities such as community centres to
them, something we have been doing in
Stevenage for many years.Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 39
Valuing volunteers
A new campaign called about two years ago she teenager with Asperger’s
Valuing Volunteers in decided the best way to Syndrome. This has
Hertfordshire promotes get involved with the local enabled me to share my
volunteering in the county community was to do some skills to help others and
and values those who voluntary work. also helped me create a
already give their time to network of friends which
“Back in South Africa I had
help. Many people who are can sometimes be difficult
worked as a volunteer
volunteers don’t even to do when moving to a
presenter for a community
realise it; Neighbourhood new country.
radio show and also as a
Watch Coordinators, Cubs,
teaching assistant at the Volunteering is not only a
Scouts, Brownies and
local Mosque. When I moved great way to help others
Guide leaders, School
to England I was keen to but also brings benefits to
Governors and those who
help out in the local those who volunteer. It’s a
help out at their local place
community as I knew that way to have fun, meet new
of worship are amongst the
this would help me settle in. people and learn new skills.
people who don’t class
Volunteering is a way of Volunteering is something
themselves as volunteers.
giving something back and that everyone can do no
When Nisa Farooq if you can just give help to matter how busy they are in
moved from one other person that can their lives. I have managed
Cape Town, make a real difference. to fit my voluntary work
South around my paid job and
I am now volunteering
Africa to looking after my family and
at the Lister hospital
Stevenage get so much enjoyment out
helping with
of it.”
administration and I
also volunteer with There are many volunteering
Hertfordshire County opportunities available in
Council where I am a your local area where you
mentor for a young can really help to make a
difference. From mentoring
to sports coach, school
governor to helping with a
local environmental project
there really is something for
everyone!
To find out about local
volunteering opportunities
please contact
Volunteer Centre Stevenage
- 01438 725400 or visit
www.volunteeringherts.org
Nisa Farooq a valued volunteerPage 40 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
Community safety Affordable housing
Stevenage is a safe place to live and visit It is becoming increasingly difficult to
compared to many towns of a similar provide affordable housing and
size. Stevenage has a strong community homelessness will continue to be a
safety partnership with an excellent track significant concern in Stevenage without
record in preventing and reducing crime. significant investment in new affordable
homes for rent for households in need.
Recent developments relating to
Stevenage Homes was set up as an
community safety include:
‘arms length organisation’ to manage
● ‘Safer Neighbourhood’ teams, police and maintain Council homes.
officers and Police Community
Recent developments relating to
Support Officers working with local
affordable housing have included:
people to find out what their concerns
are and work with local agencies to ● The development of an affordable
tackle and resolve them housing strategy including a
percentage of affordable homes in all
● A joint Anti-Social Behaviour team
new developments of 15 units or
involving the Police, the Borough
more, provision of affordable housing
Council and Stevenage Homes that
in the new town centre and new
deals with all kinds of anti-social
homes west of the A1(M)
behaviour issues
● A review of the homelessness strategy
● Home Office funding to tackle and
that aims to prevent homelessness
reduce criminal damage and disorder
wherever possible, to ensure that free
related in Stevenage Town Centre and
housing advice is available and to
Leisure Park and neighbouring
ensure that temporary accommodation
residential streets.
is of a decent standard with support
on hand to those who need it.
Sports, arts and culture
A recent survey, ‘Active People’, tells us
that satisfaction with local sports
provision is in the top 25% nationally.
However, it also tells us that levels of
participation in moderate levels of
physical activity in Stevenage are in the
bottom 25% nationally. The local sports
council has been reformed as ‘Sport
Stevenage’.
The arts offer a range of benefits to
individuals and society, transforming lives
and communities. The barriers to being
involved in the arts are mental as much
as they are physical. An Arts Network
Stevenage Police Community has been formed to promote involvement
Support Officer in the arts.Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 41
Recent developments relating to sports,
arts and culture include:
● 28 violent offences per 1,000
● Sport Stevenage has developed a population were committed in
sport development plan. Stevenage Stevenage in 2005/06 compared
Borough Council has made substantial with 16 in Hertfordshire and 17
grants to local sports associations for nationally. The town centre, Leisure
the improvement of their facilities with Park and to a lesser extent the Old
the assistance of Sport Stevenage. Town High Street are the biggest
Coach Stevenage has been formed to crime and disorder hotspots in
take a strategic view of coaching in the town
schools by local clubs
● Stevenage has the second highest
● An arts and heritage strategy for rate of youth offending cases in
Stevenage has been produced Hertfordshire with the highest rate
covering a wide spectrum of activities of youth offending cases for all
– local festivals, public art projects districts for the 16 and 17 year
and improvement to public spaces, age group
exhibitions, events and outreach
● It is estimated that there will be
activities, projects and activities
an annual shortfall of 435
targeted at both younger and older
affordable homes each year up
people and the development of
to 2011. In 2005/06 there were
showcases for local arts practitioners
3,800 households on the council’s
● Plans for the regeneration of the Arts waiting list
and Leisure Centre and the Swimming
● Satisfaction with local sports
Centre had been incorporated in plans
provision is in the top 25%
for the regeneration of the town
nationally
centre.
● The Active People Survey (Sport
England) findings were that one in
five people engage in regular sport
Facts and figures or recreational activity. Only one in
● 8.52% of Stevenage residents are ten people participate in sport or
from minority ethnic communities recreational activity once a week.
which is slightly below the These figures are slightly lower
national average than for the East and England.
● 17% of Stevenage residents have
taken part in formal volunteering
● Criminal damage is a relatively high
volume crime accounting for 25%
of all crimes
● Stevenage has lower rates of
domestic burglary and vehicle
crime than Hertfordshire and
the UKPage 42 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
Stonyhall estate regeneration
The original Stonyhall community and there are a community centre and
estate in Popple Way was homes with full wheelchair crèche and an office on site
built in the early 1950s. facilities and high space so that residents have
Escalating maintenance standards. improved speed of
costs, anti-social behaviour response and service.
Residents were involved in
and security issues led to
the design of the new Avebury, William Sutton
the decision to completely
estate from the outset. Housing Trust, Stevenage
rebuild the estate.
The aim was to create a Borough Council and
The new estate comprises ‘one-move’ programme Willmott Dixon worked in
184 mixed tenure homes which kept residents partnership to deliver high
and was designed to on-site while their new quality homes.
maximise green spaces and home was built.
The first residents moved in
family gardens. The mix of
The consultation process during June 2006.
homes reflects the local
helped to bind the community.
The development includes
Stoneyhall regenerationStevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 43
What you have told us Our priorities and what
We have consulted with a wide range of we will do
Stevenage people:
Develop affordable homes
● 70% of residents are satisfied with
Stevenage as a place to live but ● Implement an affordable housing
Stevenage does not score as highly as strategy to provide affordable homes
more affluent towns in Hertfordshire of a decent standard for local people.
Implement a homelessness strategy
● The ‘top five’ things that make people focussed on prevention and support
proud to live in Stevenage are parks for people at risk of becoming
and open spaces, leisure facilities, homeless and access to permanent
schools/education facilities and housing.
community spirit
● 33% of residents agree that they can Valuing volunteers
influence decisions affecting their local ● Encourage people to be engaged
area. Three in ten (30%) residents in community initiatives, groups and
indicate that they would like to be organisations and encourage
more involved in decisions affecting volunteering. Encourage local
their local area businesses to support volunteering
● 22.3% of residents think that people through a new Corporate Social
being attacked because of their skin Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
colour, ethnic origin or religion is a
very big or fairly big problem in their Empower communities
local area compared with 8.3% in
● Enable local people to shape services
Hertfordshire
and the neighbourhoods that they live
● 50% of residents feel very (17%) or in leading to better service provision
fairly (33%) safe walking alone after and stronger, more confident
dark in their neighbourhood. This communities
compares with 70% for Hertfordshire
● Develop and implement a
and 72% nationally
neighbourhood strategy which may
● There has been significant reductions include developing the Area
in the number of people highlighting Committees into ‘neighbourhood
abandoned cars, drunkenness, partnerships’ responsible for
vandalism and drugs as big problems producing Neighbourhood
in their areas Management Action Plans (MAPS)
for each neighbourhood.
● Stevenage Homes tenants have told
us that affordable housing, anti-social
behaviour, the increase in the number Increase community cohesion
of homeless people in the town and ● Promote contact and understanding
homes that are suitable for older and between and within the BME
disabled people. minorities and the white community
and faiths and celebrate diversity
within our communityPage 44 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
● Tackle offences that are motivated
by prejudice or hate including race, Strategies and plans
homophobia, transphobia, faith,
Detailed plans for housing are
sectarian prejudice or prejudice
set out in:
towards disabled people.
The Stevenage Housing Strategy:
Make culture, sport and leisure this document can be found at:
more accessible stevenage.gov.uk/housingstrategy
● Raise levels of participation in sport The Stevenage Homelessness
and physical activity, promote the arts Strategy: this document can be
and develop 21st century leisure found at: stevenage.gov.uk/
facilities homelessnessstrategy
● Implement the Sport Stevenage Detailed plans for culture are
development plan and the arts and set out in:
heritage strategy. The Sport Stevenage
Development Plan: this
Reduce anti-social behaviour document can be found at
● Build respect in communities by www.sportstevenage.co.uk
promoting good behaviour and Detailed plans for community
challenging and changing bad safety are set out in:
behaviour
The Stevenage Community Safety
● Develop the anti-social behaviour Strategy: this document can be
strategy focussing on local shopping found at: stevenage.gov.uk/
areas and ‘hotspot’ neighbourhoods. communitysafetypartnership
The Strategy is currently being
Reduce the fear of crime reviewed and a new strategy will be
● Work together with the community to published in 2008.
reduce fear of crime and anti-social A Neighbourhood Strategy will be
behaviour through effective developed in 2008.
communications and neighbourhood
policing. A new community safety
strategy will be produced in 2008.
Priority areas for focus are:
- Anti-social behaviour
- Criminal damage
- Violent crime.
Reduce violent crime
● Tackle violent crime in the home,
the community and in particular
alcohol related disorder in the night
time economy.Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 45 We want more people to take part in sport regularly
Page 46 ● Stevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future
Sailing at Fairlands Valley ParkStevenage 2021 ● Our Town – Our Future ● Page 47
Economic Development
and the Environment
What we aim to achieve
Economy and Enterprise
We aim to promote the development of a sustainable economy
and improve the employment prospects of our population in
order to promote sustain and support local business.
Environment
We aim to create cleaner and greener communities, develop
a sustainable transport network and meet the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs.
How things are now Borough Council and North Herts
College. The Forum will produce a
The Stevenage economy has performed business led vision and plan for the
at or around national averages but below economic future of the town.
Hertfordshire and East of England rates.
Recent developments regarding the local
Three major areas need to be addressed economy have included:
to ensure a firm foundation for the
economic future of the town: the skills ● Work started on significant
gap; a range of suitable housing and a regeneration of employment sites,
significantly enhanced retail facility in the including Gunnels Wood. The East of
town centre. England Development Agency (EEDA)
is funding the development of a new
The Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce
public space in Gunnels Wood
and Industry has launched a Business
Forum comprising local businesses and ● The Hertfordshire Business Incubation
key organisations such as Stevenage Centre (HBIC) Enterprise Hub has
been established in StevenageYou can also read
