Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 2011
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Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
Contents
Foreword 3
Sunderland – An Overview 4
Sunderland Strategy 4
Partnership working 5
Working with the Voluntary and Community Sector 6
The Local Area Agreement explained 6
Priority Challenges
Improving quality of life – Closing the gap 7
Responding to demographic change 8
Local Area Agreement Themes 9
Our Approach for Sunderland 11
Equalities and community Cohesion 11
Sustainable Sunderland 11
relationship with other plans and strategies 12
Role of Local Development Framework 12
Regenerating the city 12
LAA and the regional context 13
Structure of the LAA 13
Prosperous and Learning City Theme
Prosperous City 14
Learning City 19
Healthy City Theme 23
Developing High Quality Places to Live Theme
Attractive and inclusive City 30
Safe City 35
LAA Priority Indicators 39
Appendix 1
Sunderland Children’s Services:
Statutory Education Targets (Summer 2009) 50
2
Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
Foreword The function of the Local Area The progress that has been
Agreement (LAA) is to provide made in the city shows that
Sunderland, as a place to live, the short term focus for partners have the potential to
has improved significantly in the partnership activity and tackle the challenges in the
past two decades – the city is resource allocation. The future. This agreement will
cleaner, safer and more emphasis for the LAA is the enable the partnership to
prosperous than it was twenty things that matter most to local measure improvements
years ago, young people are people and which present effectively and develop the
doing better at school and barriers to the achievement of activities that are responsive to
people are living longer, our vision for the city. It also an understanding of the issues.
healthier and more independent sets the framework for targeting
lives. Local facilities have been activity at priorities and the
improved and the environment development of further,
and public realm have been improved joined up working at a
transformed. The city and its local level.
people are major factors in the
region’s thriving economic and The LAA builds on the extensive
cultural life. consultation that has been done
to inform the direction of the
The new, long term and Sunderland Strategy. Detailed
aspirational Sunderland Strategy work has also been done with
sets out plans that will see the the partnership groups that are
city improve still further in responsible for progressing the
future years. It sets out the priorities for the city and this will
vision for the city in 2025 and contribute to the development
outlines the challenges that of interventions that will make a
partners will tackle so that the real difference to the quality of
vision can be realised. life of local people.
3Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
Sunderland – An shipbuilding and heavy reduced by 35%. Death by
Overview engineering. Sunderland now cancer has been reduced by
functions within a global 18% over the same period.
Sunderland is the largest city in context, competing at an • Performance at 16 – in
England’s North East region, international level. Thousands GCSEs and equivalent
with a population of 280,600 of new jobs have been created qualifications – has risen
(2006 mid year estimate) in as part of a large-scale industrial sharply in the period 2002 –
119,000 households. The river shift towards the automotive 2007. 59% of young people
Wear runs through the heart of manufacturing and service- are now achieving 5 A* - C
the city, and the city boundary based ‘call centre’ sectors. which is very close to the
includes the former new town of Significant success has been national average and in a
Washington and the former coal achieved, notably through the league table of ‘A’ level point
mining areas of Houghton and Doxford International scores Sunderland have risen
Hetton. It forms part of the Tyne development at which 8,000 from 67th of 150 local
and Wear city region and has jobs have been created. Further authorities to 8th in 4 years.
made a significant contribution development is currently taking • The Housing stock transfer of
to the economic growth in the place to create additional 2001 facilitated a £600m
sub region over the last two business sites and premises in investment programme that
decades. Rainton Bridge South Business will improve over 29,800
Park and Washington. As a homes by 2010. The
Between the early 1980’s and measure of our success there investment meant that the
1990’s the traditional industries are now more people employed Sunderland Housing Group
on which the city’s economy in new service industries than (now Gentoo) was the first
was founded declined greatly or were employed in traditional major Registered Social
simply ceased to exist. industries. Landlord to achieve the
Sunderland is striving with government’s Decent Homes
considerable success to deal Progress has also been made in Standard in January 2005, 5
with this legacy and is building a respect of some of the key years ahead of the
modern and dynamic city. In factors that impact on the Government’s target of 2010.
recent years the transformation quality of life of local people:
of the City’s coalfields, city • Considerable progress has Sunderland Strategy
centre and riverside has been been made in reducing crime
striking – the former ship yard and disorder in the city. The intention is to build on the
areas are now the location of Crime levels in the city have progress and momentum that
several high profile fallen by 27% since 2002/03. has been created by the new
developments including the Sunderland is now a safe Sunderland Strategy. This sets
national Glass Centre, place to live and work with a out an ambitious, long term
Sunderland University’s St. crime rate below the national vision for the city and will
Peter’s Campus and Stadium average. provide a framework for the
Park. Attention has now turned • Work to improve people’s work of the Sunderland
to city centre regeneration and lifestyles, combined with Partnership, and indeed all those
progress is being made to effective medical working to improve the quality
transform key sites. interventions, have of life of people in Sunderland
dramatically reduced death over the next 17 years.
Over the last 20 years the city rates due to coronary heart
has undergone a marked disease, one of the biggest
economic and social transition causes of premature death in
following the decline in the the city. Since 2000
traditional industries of mining, incidences of death rates due
to coronary heart disease
4Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
Aim 2: To create a city where which the city operates, and
Creating a everyone can be supported to most importantly by listening to
better future make healthy life and lifestyle
choices - a city that provides
what local people have told us
about what they want for their
for everyone in excellent health and social care future.
services for all who need them.
Sunderland Everyone in Sunderland will Partnership working
have the opportunity to live
Sunderland will be a long, healthy, happy and Much of the progress made has
independent lives. been achieved through strong
welcoming, internationally
partnership working. There is a
recognised city where Aim 3: To make Sunderland the solid and extensive track record
people have the place where everyone feels of partnership working in
opportunity to fulfil their welcome and can be part of a Sunderland which has provided
safe and inclusive community, the basis for the effective
aspirations for a healthy,
where people will feel secure delivery of key outcomes in the
safe and prosperous and can enjoy life without city. The city has had a highly
future. worrying about becoming a effective strategic partnership
victim of crime. since 1994, the Sunderland
Partnership, and this has
It is Sunderland’s overarching Aim 4: To create a city with a provided the basis for the
strategy for improvement and as thriving learning culture where development of a variety of
such is the product of detailed everyone can be involved in innovative and effective
analysis of the city’s current learning in a cohesive and partnership activities. The
position, and the challenges and inclusive city that is committed partnership, accredited as the
opportunities that lie ahead over to social justice, equality and city’s Local Strategic Partnership
the longer term. The vision is prosperity; where creativity (LSP) in 2002, has a broad and
underpinned by a set of broad flourishes and where individuals committed membership that
long term aims that set out what can have all they need to thrive represents key stakeholders in
the partnership expects in the global economy. the city including the private and
Sunderland to look like in 17 voluntary and community
years time. Aim 5: To ensure that sectors. The partnership operates
Sunderland becomes a clean, effectively through defined
Aims green city with a strong culture frameworks and governance
of sustainability, protecting and arrangement. This includes
Aim 1: To create an enterprising nurturing both its built heritage Thematic Partnership groups that
and productive global city with a and future development and provide a focus on the
strong and diverse economy ensuring that both the built and partnership’s stated priorities.
providing jobs and careers for natural environments will be
generations to come. A city welcoming, accessible, attractive The partnership’s effectiveness is
where everyone has the and of high quality. demonstrated by the fact that it
opportunity to contribute to and is one of only four partnerships in
benefit from the regional the northern region with a ‘green
economy, to fulfil their potential The aims have been developed light’ assessment from
to be skilled, motivated and by considering our performance Government Office North East
wealth creating without losing as organisations and determining (the best possible outcome).
the special characteristic of where improvements are needed Furthermore, Sunderland LSP is
Sunderland’s balanced way of most, understanding the broader represented on the ‘LSP Futures’
life. sub regional, regional, national group, a group of LSPs from
and international contexts in
5Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
across the country that are thematic groups and have played appreciation of how
working to identify and share a role in the development of the interventions will need to be
best practice and to respond to LAA both as the network and developed if partners are to
emerging issues. through the partnership achieve the desired outcomes.
structure.
Working with the
Voluntary and Community What is this document? – The Sunderland Strategy takes a
Sector The Local Area Agreement long term aspirational view of
Explained how partners and local people
want to see the city develop in
Partners recognise that the
the future. Achieving the vision
Voluntary and Community Sector The Local Area Agreement (LAA)
the city will be dependant on the
(VCS) has an important role to will be a key element of the
progress that is made to remove
play in achieving the objectives delivery plan for the Sunderland
the barriers to the improvements
for the city. As independent Strategy, a document that will set
that are required. The function of
organisations, the VCS can bring out the basis on which the
the LAA is to identify the focus
distinctive value to the work of partnership will move towards its
for the relative short term and it
the partnership and local vision over the next 3 years. The
sets out some of the next steps
communities. In particular, delivery plan and the LAA are
in the journey towards achieving
partners in the VCS act as means structured around the
long term aspirations. Our
of engaging service users in the Sunderland Strategy themes
approach has been to focus on
design and delivery of services (Prosperous City, Healthy City,
the key fundamental barriers to
and act as advocates for those Safe City, Learning City, Attractive
success, ensuring that there is
who otherwise may have no and Inclusive City) and the
sufficient concentration of effort
voice. associated Key Objectives.
to make a real difference in
respect of some enduring
The VCS make a significant and The LAA has been developed by
challenges.
tangible contribution to the working with existing partnership
vitality of local communities and groups across the city that have
the quality of life of people who identified the priorities that need
live in them. Partners and other to be tackled if the city is to
funders make grants, or have move towards and achieve its
contracts to the value of about long term vision. In order to
£11m to some of the 600 VCS provide a consistent approach to
organisations that are in city and the task and provide partnership
it is estimated that volunteering groups with additional capacity,
activity is worth approximately consultants were commissioned
£10m. to take partnership groups
through the Theory of Change
The Sunderland Community programme, a process that has
Network provides the basis on enabled partners to combine
which partners engage with the long term visioning with the
VCS and enables local people development of deliverable and
and VCS organisations to feed measurable short and medium
into and influence the work of term priorities. This has provided
partners. The network provides the basis for the development of
representation on the a common understanding about
partnership board and the what needs to be done and an
6Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
Priority Challenges amongst the 10% most deprived 2.7% nationally and economic
areas nationally than in 2004. inactivity rates are 25.8% and
Improving quality of life – 21.5% respectively.
closing the gap Despite these improvements, 41 • 23.8% of older people living in
(22%) of the city’s 188 Super the city suffer from income
Whilst significant progress has Output Areas (SOA), covering deprivation as defined by the
been made in improving the approximately 22% of the IMD
quality of life led by local people population (55,000 people), are • A significantly higher than
there are still high levels of still in the top 10% of the average proportion of the
deprivation in some country’s most deprived areas. A population of Sunderland
communities. further consideration of the IMD have a limiting long term
shows that Sunderland performs illness (24.0% compared to
A key element of the Sunderland particularly badly in respect of 17.9% for England (Source –
Strategy’s vision is a those IMD Domains that measure Community Health Profiles
commitment to offer an deprivation in terms of 2007) and over 10% of the
enhanced quality of life for Employment, Education and local population are
existing residents. This is a Skills and Health and Disability. permanently sick or disabled
commitment that applies to all compared to 5.5% nationally.
residents of the city but is most Further information that adds to • Sunderland has the lowest
pertinent to those who suffer our understanding of deprivation proportion of working age
from higher than average levels in the city includes: population who achieve level
of deprivation. A comparison • Unemployment in the city has 4/5 qualifications when
between the Indices of Multiple dropped significantly over the compared to other authorities
Deprivation (IMD) between 2004 past 10 years but in Tyne and Wear – 14.2%
and 2007 as set out in the table unemployment and economic compared to the Tyne and
below shows that Sunderland has activity rates remain higher Wear average of 18.1% and a
seen relative improvement than the national average – national average of 23.3%
nationally in overall terms and in 4.8% of the economically • Housing in Sunderland has
relation to specific domains. active population is improved over the last five
Significantly, in 2007 14,600 less unemployed compared to years however, the legacy of
people are living in areas ranked
Incidence of Overall and Component Deprivation in Sunderland: IMD 2004 compared to IMD 2007
Number in top 10% Proportion of City Number in top 20% Proportion of City
residents* residents*
2004 2007 2004 2007 2004 2007 2004 2007
Index of Multiple Deprivation 51 41 27.0% 21.8% 87 82 46.1% 43.4%
Domain Indices
Income 46 40 24.2% 21.1% 75 71 39.8% 37.6%
Employment 76 66 40.2% 34.9% 119 107 63.2% 56.8%
Health & Disability 91 80 48.2% 42.5% 138 117 73.4% 62.5%
Education & Skills 49 47 25.8% 24.7% 81 79 43.0% 42.0%
Barriers to Housing & Services 0 1 0.0% 0.6% 1 14 0.6% 7.4%
Crime 27 18 14.4% 9.5% 52 43 27.4% 22.7%
Living Environment 1 0 0.5% 0.0% 7 3 3.8% 1.7%
Supplementary Indices
Income Deprivation affecting Children 36 20 18.9% 10.5% 68 55 36.2% 29.0%
Income Deprivation affecting Old People 44 45 23.4% 23.8% 91 89 48.4% 47.5%
7Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
past development remains – The map shows areas of relative the forecasted decline will
over 50% of the city’s deprivation across the city with impact on the on certain age
housing was built before the darker colours on the first groups with the population of
1964 and this is reflected in map identifying the areas of young people aged between 0 -
the type and size of housing higher deprivation. The map 14 falling by 21.4% and the
available (high numbers, over below illustrates how some proportion of the working age
60% of housing is terraced or areas in the city have improved population (men aged between
semi detached and 70% have in terms of deprivation over the 15 and 64 and women aged
3 or fewer bedrooms) last three years. between 15 and 59) is projected
to fall by 16.4%. The projections,
Change in percentile category
Relatively high levels of if realised could have an adverse
between 2004 and 2007
deprivation in the city are clearly impact on the local economy by
a significant impediment to the reducing the proportion of
city’s aspirations and if partners working people in the city and
are to realise the stated the availability of the skills
ambitions there is a need to necessary to generate and
continue, and accelerate the sustain economic growth.
improvements in the quality of
life led by local people by A natural outcome of the
focussing on the key population declines outlined is
determinants of deprivation in an increase in the proportion of
Sunderland; Employment and older people living in the city:
Skills and Health, at a local Sunderland’s population of older
community level. Legend people is forecast to rise by
Category change from 2004 to 2007 40.7% by 2029.
Index of Multiple Deprivation
2007 Less deprived It is clear that if we are to
No change transform the quality of life led
More deprived by many local people we will
need to continue to focus on
Responding to the main causes of deprivation
demographic change in the city – health,
employment, educational
attainment and skills
Partners in the city are also
development at a local
facing the challenge presented
community level. The projected
by changes in the make up of
demographic changes outlined
the local population. Population
will also shape the activities of
in the city is forecast to decline
the partnership over the next 17
by 6.7% (18,000 people)
Legend years. To sustain the city we will
between now and 2029.
National Percentiles of Deprivation need to slow the rate of
Although the population
population decline by improving
Upper 5% forecasts, based on a range of
Sunderland as place to live so
trend based assumptions are
5% - 10% that it is attractive to both
not entirely reliable, they do set
10% - 20% existing and potential residents.
out possible scenarios that the
This aim is at the very heart of
20% - 30% partnership will need to
the partnership’s purpose as set
30% - 50% consider in its future activities.
out in the new Sunderland
As can be seen from the graph,
50% - 100% Strategy.
8Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
Local Area Agreement investment and support business Improving health has also been
Themes growth will be combined with prioritised on the basis that this
activities that will improve too can impact on business
With this understanding at the employability by increasing skill growth and productivity and on
forefront of our thinking, the levels and supporting people to levels of participation in the
LAA has been arranged around gain suitable employment. economy:
three linked themes that will
help deliver across all Improving the local economy Addressing adult health problems
Sunderland Strategy priorities also has the potential to reverse and focussing on the prevention
and provide a catalyst for the the projected decline in the local of early health problems will
wider Delivery Plan: population by encouraging enable some people to move
• Prosperous and Learning City existing residents to stay in the from worklessness to
• Healthy City city and more people to move to employment and reduce the
• Developing high quality the city. potential of leaving work
places to live – incorporating prematurely.
the Sunderland Strategy Healthy City Theme – according
priorities of Safe City and to key health related indicators, By reducing the impact of poor
Attractive and Inclusive City. health has improved in health on children we can
Sunderland in recent years, improve attainment and enhance
The Prosperous and Learning however poor health remains a future life prospects.
City Theme is focussed on significant impediment to the
stimulating growth in the local improvement of quality of life in Improving the health and
economy, in terms of both the some communities. Improving wellbeing of older people is also
number and quality of jobs health for all sections of the a key priority. Forecasts predict
available to local people. population is central to the that the proportion of older
Effectively reducing deprivation partnership’s aim to reduce people living in the city will grow
in the city is, to a large extent inequality in the city, reduce steadily over the next decade
dependent on the success of deprivation and improve quality and health and deprivation
agencies to enable more people of life. indicators show that the quality
to gain better paid jobs. For this of life of older people in the city
reason efforts to attract inward is low compared to other groups.
9Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
Developing high quality places The potential to stimulate growth child poverty and crime
to live – There is recognition in the local economy will depend reduction, whilst reducing crime
that there are many on the availability of skilled and levels may improve the
interconnected factors that productive people. Plans to confidence of investors and
impact on quality of life and the create a highly desirable city that stimulate activity in the local
desirability of the city as a place will attract visitors, residents and economy. It is important that, as
to live. The LAA reflects the investors are central to the we develop improvement
partnership’s vision of partnership’s aim to increase interventions, the linkages
Sunderland as a place that prosperity and reduce between different activities are
people will choose to live by deprivation. recognised, understood and
highlighting the creation of a factored into everything that is
high quality environment that Of course, progressing the done across the partnership. By
includes a housing offer that individual outcomes within each doing so, we can maximise the
meets the needs of local people of the themes will impact on effectiveness of our activities and
and potential inward migrants achieving objectives within other avoid duplication.
and the clean, safe streets that themes. For example enabling
people regularly identify as more worklessness people to
priorities. participate in employment may
have a positive impact on health,
10Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
Our Approach for social and digital exclusion. The final report of the
Sunderland • Business Improvement Commission on Integration and
Programme – a council led Cohesion; ‘Our Shared Future’
We recognise that there is no programme with the aim of describes ways in which we can
single easy answer to the issue improving services in terms build mutual respect and
of deprivation in our local of the customer experience, confidence amongst all
communities. To make a choice and accessibility. members of our communities
difference partners will need to and to help build the sense of a
continue working together to Creating Inclusive shared future that is so vital to
tackle the combination of Communities delivering a confident and
factors that have an adverse positive future together. This
impact on the quality of life of Running through all of our work report links together a number
local people. The composition is a commitment to ensuring of factors influencing
of the LAA is designed to that everyone has the Community Cohesion, from
maximise the benefit that can opportunity to fulfil their economic prosperity or
be achieved by focussing on the potential regardless of where deprivation, through crime and
key short to medium term they live or their personal anti-social behaviour to diversity
challenges and recognising the circumstances. By targeting of ethnic and faith background
relationship between different activities and tackling the main and greater mobility on local
issues facing local communities causes of deprivation and through to international levels.
and the various responses that disadvantage we intend to
partners are putting in place. It reduce the impact of inequality Sustainability
is also the basis on which and create more inclusive and
partners will put in place tailored cohesive communities. It is imperative that as we make
interventions that are based on social and economic progress in
an analysis and understanding Sunderland faces a number of the city, we ensure we do this in
of need at a community level. inclusion and community such a way that has minimal
cohesion opportunities and environmental impact and
In responding to the challenges challenges posed by the establishes the foundations for
the partnership will build on the increasing diversity of our improved quality of life for
improvements that have been population and its place within future generations as well as the
achieved to date and the fast changing international, current population. Sunderland
infrastructure that has been put national and local contexts. is committed to sustainable
in place to transform service These include increasing development as defined by the
delivery and improve quality of migration to the UK, the UK Sustainable Development
life – effective multi-agency growing threat of international Strategy:
working, and the development and ‘home grown’ terrorism, the
locally based customer service increasing prominence of faith “The goal of sustainable
networks. issues and the progressive development is to enable all
approach to community people throughout the world to
Two key drivers of change and cohesion issues being adopted satisfy their basic needs and
improvement in the city over by central government. We have enjoy a better quality of life,
coming years will be: worked with the Institute of without compromising the
• Digital Challenge – a Community Cohesion to quality of life of future
programme developed produce a baseline report with generations. That goal will be
through extensive recommended actions. This pursued through a sustainable,
community consultation with forms the basis of the innovative and productive
the aim to use technology in Community Cohesion Strategy economy that delivers high levels
ways that meet the needs of and our key objectives for the of employment; and a just
our communities and reduce future. society that promotes social
11Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
inclusion, sustainable plan The LDF will be adopted in 2010
communities and personal • Housing Strategy after an extensive consultation
wellbeing. This will be done in • Local Transport Strategy process with a wide range of
ways that protect and enhance • Local Development organisations and interest groups
the physical and natural Framework including the Sunderland
environment, and use resources • Culture Strategy Partnership. To ensure
and energy as efficiently as • 50+ Strategy consistency across the
possible.” • Community Development partnership’s key strategic policy
Plan documents the LDF has been
A full Sustainability Appraisal of • International Strategy structured around the
this Sunderland Strategy has • The Image Strategy Sunderland Strategy priorities so
been conducted, against the • The Community Cohesion that it is possible to see how the
requirements of a “Sustainable Strategy city’s land use plans will
Community”, as defined by contribute to the partnership’s
Communities and Local Thematic Partnership broader objectives.
Government and against the 44 Strategies, for example:
suggested Local Quality of Life • Safer Sunderland Strategy Regenerating the city
indicators recommended to • Health Improvement Strategy
support Sustainable Major plans are in place to
Communities, by the Audit Local Area Plans: continue regenerating the city.
Commission. This has allowed us Local Area Plans will interpret the The physical development plans
to identify weaknesses in our citywide Sunderland Strategy and that are in place for the next
approach in the past and to Delivery Plan (including the LAA) decade and beyond will change
ensure that the priorities and at an area level and identify look of the city and make
actions we propose in this priorities for action specific to significant contributions to the
Strategy will not compromise the different areas. LAA themes and challenges.
quality of life for future Some of the projects that will
generations in Sunderland. Role of the Local transform the city and contribute
Development Framework to improvements in the quality of
Relationship with other life of local people include:
plans and strategies Much of what we do to
regenerate the city and shape • Key employment generating
Neither the Local Area Sunderland as a place to live will developments at Rainton
Agreement, nor the Delivery Plan involve the use of land and Bridge, and in Sunderland City
of the Sunderland Strategy set property. The emerging Local Centre forward on Vaux and
out everything that needs to be Development Framework (LDF) is Farringdon Row will be at
done in the city. Rather they the instrument that will provide various stages of development
highlight the agreed way forward the basis for the physical by 2013
for the partnership in respect of development of the city until • The regeneration of Stadium
the identified improvement 2021. The framework sets out Park, the former Grove site
priorities and intentions over the the policies for the development and other major sites along
next three years. The detail of of transport links, the use of Sunderland’s Riverside
everything that will happen in housing and employment land Corridor will be progressing
the city is contained in the and how the environment will be • Continued regeneration of the
strategies that are referenced in protected and as such the Sunniside area of the city
the Sunderland Strategy, these enhanced LDF will represent a centre to provide business
include: very influential document for the and residential development
Cross Cutting Strategies, for partnership and the pursuance of within an environment that is
example: the vision for the city. sensitive to the heritage of
• Children and Young People the area
12Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
• Sunderland is in the first Partners from Tyne and Wear, Sunderland’s LAA has been
round of the Building Schools Northumberland and Durham developed so that it is
for the Future programme and have worked together to consistent with the MAA
has plans in place that will develop an outline Multi Area ensuring that partnership
result in improvements being Agreement (MAA) with the activity in the city contributes to
made to 16 schools in the city purpose of accelerating and benefits from activity at a
with four new schools being economic growth in the sub city region level. Certain Priority
built by 2010 region. The outline MAA for Tyne Improvement indicators have
• In addition to the Sunderland and Wear City Region is based been selected to ensure that
Aquatic Centre two new on two key, linked outcomes: there are clear links between
swimming pools will be the development of an other Tyne and Wear LAAs.
delivered in Hetton and internationally competitive city
Silksworth by 2010 region that is economically Structure of the LAA
• Service in the city will become inclusive by ensuring economic
even more accessible as a opportunity and access for all. This document sets out the long
network of customer service Achieving the outcomes will be term Aims and Key Objectives
centres are developed based on the development and that the partnership has
including centres at Doxford implementation of three city identified in the Sunderland
Park, Ryhope and Washington region work strands: strategy and identifies the
• Employment and skills – related Priority Improvement
LAA and the regional focussed on improving on Indicators that will be used to
context economic competitiveness set a focus for activity and
and increasing skills and provide the basis for measuring
The LAA is about dealing with talent in the city region progress towards the vision in
the local priorities identified by • Transport – aims to improve the short term.
the partnership and local connectivity between the
people. However, we recognise urban core and the rest of The LAA does not represent
that to achieve our ambitions the city region and to link everything that the partnership
we will need to work with areas of opportunity with will do towards the vision but
partners at a regional and sub areas of disadvantage represents the concentration of
regional levels. Although the • Analytical capacity – will activity in the next 3 years as it
component parts of the sub provide the robust evidence relates to the Key Objectives for
region have individual base and analysis needed to the city in the long term. A
characteristics they share develop more integrated comprehensive list of the Key
common challenges and there approach to economic and Objectives and related indicators
is a commitment to work spatial development in the is provided at the end of this
collaboratively to share best city document.
practice and develop joint
activities where this approach is
guaranteed to bring improved
effectiveness.
13Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
the city are now automotive continue to exceed losses. The
Prosperous and manufacturing and financial and city’s Job Linkage project, a
customer services, each of partnership between the
Learning City which now employs around council, voluntary sector
10,000 people. The public organisations and Job Centre
Theme sector also continues to be an Plus, has been supporting
important source of people to gain work in
employment, accounting for Sunderland for 20 years.
Prosperous City around a quarter of all jobs. As a Between 2004 and 2007 the
measure of the transformation service helped 5,119 people
The focus of this priority is: that has occurred in the city make the successful transition
To create an enterprising and there are now more people into employment.
productive global city with a employed in the new industries
strong and diverse economy. A than were employed in the Enabling people to gain
city that provides jobs and traditional industries of the past. employment will have a
careers for generations to come, significant impact on the quality
where everyone has the Targeted investment across the of life led by local people. Low
opportunity to contribute to city has produced a series of income levels and high numbers
and benefit from the local successful business park of benefit claimants in some
economy. People will fulfil their developments and transformed communities impact adversely
potential to be skilled, the dereliction caused by the on quality of life and it is a
motivated and wealth creating decline of the traditional priority for the partnership to
without losing the special industries. Outstanding success reduce the numbers of working
characteristic of Sunderland’s has been achieved at the age people who are in receipt of
balanced way of life. Doxford International Business benefits.
Park at which 8,000 jobs have
been created and it is An outcome of low levels of
Background anticipated that the additional income and participation in the
business sites and premises economy is relatively high levels
The economy of the city has being developed at Rainton of child poverty. This has direct
been transformed over the past Bridge South Business Park will implications for the
20 years. After the decline of build on this success and partnership’s vision as child
the traditional industries (ship proposed in the city centre poverty has the potential to
building, coal mining and heavy within Sunniside, Farringdon impair the potential of
engineering) in the 1980’s and Row and Vaux. individuals in later life. Evidence
1990’s Sunderland has had to shows that children and young
reinvent itself in economic Investment in the city’s people who grow up in poverty
terms. infrastructure has been are less likely to succeed at
combined with activities school or move into well paid
Partners have been very designed to ensure that local employment. Reducing the
successful in attracting inward people are able to take numbers of children in poverty
investment and integrating new advantage of the employment by increasing participation and
businesses into the fabric of the opportunities created with the wage levels in the local
city. For example, during the result that despite plant closures economy has the potential for
past three years, large projects that have led to 1,750 job losses creating dividends for the city in
attracted to Sunderland have over the past three years, the the future by enabling young
brought more than 3,100 new number of people classed as people to fulfil their potential
jobs and £1 billion of workless has actually fallen by a and reduce the cycle of poverty
investment. The key sectors in further 4%, indicating that gains and deprivation.
14Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
Benefit claimants as a percentage of working age population, 2000-07.
Improvements relating to the are important locally will be activities such as business
other priorities in the Sunderland measured more effectively at a services that are normally
Strategy such as improved sub-regional level through the associated with city centres, but
health, reductions in crime and MAA. which are at present significantly
improvements to the physical under-represented in
environment will also contribute Key Objectives Sunderland.
to the city’s economic vitality by Support economic growth and
making the city more attractive participation in the economy Despite this it is unlikely that the
to inward investors and raising by encouraging the local economy will change
confidence. In particular, our development of an fundamentally in the next 3
economic growth aspirations are enterprising culture. years. So, in order to increase
closely linked with the housing levels of participation locally we
offer in the city. Housing Increase the number of jobs in will support economic growth by
development has a key role to the economy, increase wage developing a culture of
play in the future of the city both levels, increase recorded enterprise. By encouraging start
as a driver of the local economy business start-ups and up business, supporting
and through its role in support business growth - As indigenous business growth and
accommodating economically outlined above, significant generating enterprise a higher
active households and this is a progress has been made to number of jobs will be created by
key priority for the partnership. transform the profile and local business and this in turn will
improve the local economy, but stimulate activity in the city’s
We are committed to joint there is still a need to further economy by increasing wealth.
working with agencies at a sub- stimulate growth. The city’s
regional level through the Multi economy is characterised by low In supporting business growth
Area Agreement (MAA). This is levels of added value and and new start up activity the
providing the opportunity to relatively low wages. With the partnership is committed to
consider the development and plans to revitalise the city's working within the framework of
implementation of interventions physical fabric, there is now an the national Business Support
at the most appropriate spatial opportunity to attract the range Simplification Programme.
level. A number of indicators that of high value office-based
15Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
VAT – registration rate per 10,000 resident adults, 2002-06
Key Facts organisations (public and Match the supply of labour
private sector), creating issues with demand at all levels by
• Gross Valued Added (GVA) per in terms of the potential closing skills gaps in the local
head, which is a measure of vulnerability of the local economy and supporting
the productivity of the local economy. those who are currently
economy, remains low in • Gross weekly pay for the city workless to find suitable
Sunderland at 84% of the is 84% of the Great Britain sustainable employment
national average (2005 data), average, although there is
primarily as a consequence of some evidence of Increase participation in the
the high level of worklessness convergence, with 10% local economy – The
and an under-representation growth over the past three proportion of the city's
of high order business years, compared to 9% population classed as workless
activities. However, the figure nationally is still significantly higher than
continues to converge with • At 29.3% the proportion of the national average (20.8% of
the national average at children living in poverty in the working age population,
around one percentage point Sunderland is higher than the compared to 14.2%), although
per annum. National average of 21.3% over the past three years the
• The number of VAT registered rate of fall has been double that
businesses has increased by Priority improvement for Great Britain as a whole,
5.5% to 4,320 over the past Indicators demonstrating the success of
three years, which is in line NI 151 Overall employment rate measures to get people back
with the national rate of (MAA), into work. Despite
growth - although the city NI 171 VAT registration rate, improvements, there are
continues to have a NI 152 Reduce the number of neighbourhoods within the city
comparatively low rate of self- working age people on out of that have levels of
employment, at 5.8% of the work benefits, unemployment that are
adult population, compared to NI 153 Working age people significantly above the national
9.3% nationally. claiming out of work benefits in averages.
• Around a half of the city's the worst performing
workforce is employed in neighbourhoods, The relatively low level of
approximately 50 NI 116 Proportion of children in participation in the local
poverty, economy is one of the main
16Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
reasons why the city has A key component of our future Key Facts
comparatively low levels of strategy will be activities to
prosperity as measured by Gross improve the skills of local • Continuing a positive trend,
Value Added per head. people so that they are in line the number of working age
with the requirements of local people claiming benefits fell
If we are to continue to improve employers. We also want to by 2.3% during that past
levels of prosperity in the city improve skills levels in the city, twelve months, however
we need increase levels of enabling people to achieve there are still approximately
participation amongst those higher level qualifications and 37,000 people of working
people living in the most access jobs that are high-skilled age who are in receipt of
deprived neighbourhoods. We and more highly paid is essential benefits.
intend to do this by continuing if we are to increase earnings, • In May 2007, 20,440 people
to diversify the composition of reduce income related poverty were in receipt of Incapacity
the local economy through the and increase productivity. Benefit. Of this number two
development of a more Priorities in respect of skills are thirds had been in receipt of
entrepreneurial attitude and the set out in the Learning City the benefit for over five years
attraction of inward investment. section of the agreement.
The activity to increase Priority Improvement
employment opportunities will Indicators
be complemented by ensuring NI 151 Overall Employment
that local people are able to Rate (MAA),
take advantage of the NI 174 Skills gap in the current
employment opportunities workforce reported by
created. employers (MAA).
1718
PROSPEROUS CITY
FOCUS KEY OBJECTIVES PRIORITY IMPROVEMENT INDICATORS
To create an enterprising and Support economic growth and • NI 151 Overall Employment Rate (MAA)
productive global city with a strong participation in the economy by • NI 171 Increase the VAT registration rate
and diverse economy. A city that encouraging the development of an • NI 152 Reduce the number of working age
provides jobs and careers for enterprising culture. people on out of work benefits
generations to come, where everyone • NI 153 Working age people claiming out of work
has the opportunity to contribute to benefits in the worst performing neighbourhoods
and benefit from the local economy. • NI 116 Proportion of children in poverty
People will fulfil their potential to be
skilled, motivated and wealth creating
without losing the special Match the supply of labour with • NI 151 Overall Employment Rate (MAA)
characteristic of Sunderland’s demand at all levels by closing skills • NI 174 Skills gap in the current workforce
balanced way of life. gaps in the local economy and reported by employers (MAA)
Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
supporting those who are currently
workless to find suitable sustainable
employment.Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
Learning City Our key achievements have the same site as a University.
provided us with a solid
The focus of this priority is: foundation on which to build for Our newly-established Skills
To create a city with a thriving the future as we continuously Centres at Harraton and Pallion
learning culture that supports improve standards and offer opportunities for practical
personal fulfilment. Everyone opportunities for learning, skills skills development and learning
will be able to access their development and employment and the expertise developed
learning in a cohesive, inclusive for all. A strong partnership through these centres will help
city committed to social justice, approach to service us embed the new diplomas
equality and prosperity. We will development and delivery into the learning experiences of
ensure learning supports the means that those involved in young people as they move
city’s economic prosperity and supporting learning work towards adulthood. Supporting
enable individuals to thrive in together for the benefit of each these developments will be
the global economy. individual. New skills can comprehensive information,
enhance an employer’s advice and guidance services
competitive edge in the and support mechanisms which
Background marketplace and increase focus on the individual needs.
productivity in the workplace.
The city has made excellent In March 2007, the Sunderland
progress in improving learning We are already exceeding Partnership was successful in
standards. We are meeting or national averages in some areas securing the funding to pilot the
closing the gap on national and our progress in other areas new Engineering, Construction,
levels. In some cases we are provides many additional Creative and Media and I.T.
now exceeding national opportunities. Overall we are Diplomas. The 14-19 City Wide
averages. This gives us a strong improving faster than the Partnership is responsible for
starting point on which to build national rate. Improvement is establishing a comprehensive
our thriving learning culture. supported by a range of quality assurance curriculum
initiatives, for example, early offer available to all 14-19 year
Performance at 16 – in GCSEs assessment of young people olds and to ensure that there is
and equivalent qualifications – now allows appropriate access to all specialised
has risen sharply in the period intervention plans to support diplomas by 2013.
2002 – 2007. 59% of young those most in need of specialist
people are now achieving 5 A* - help and our well established These exciting new additions
C which is very close to the mechanisms for finding out have allowed the city to
national average and in a league what young people think – demonstrate its creative and
table of ‘A’ level point scores including annual stakeholder innovative approach to
Sunderland have risen from events since 2003 – provide us nurturing a culture of learning
67th of 150 local authorities to with vital feedback and points and improvement for all ages,
8th in 4 years. for action. abilities and interests. This
innovation is also being
We have seen significantly Significant capital investment harnessed through a creative
improved performance by through Building Schools for the approach to all stages of the
apprentices in Sunderland – far Future will see the city gain curriculum. We are already
more young people are three new academies and a new nurturing tomorrow’s
completing full apprenticeships, Sixth Form Centre at Sunderland entrepreneurs and leaders of
62.5% of 16-19 year old trainee University’s St Peter’s campus. industry to support the city’s
apprenticeships achieved the All will offer leading edge prosperity and growth at all
full qualification in 2007, which learning environments and the levels.
was above the national average Sixth Form Centre will be the
of 62.1%. first F.E. College, to be built on Sunderland has, through good
19Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
partnership working, high Increase the number of adults achieved either 2 A level grades
standards of delivery, provision who have qualifications in A – E or equivalent. Although
of new facilities and successful literacy, numeracy and performance in Sunderland is
marketing of courses had relevant workplace skills – The improving (32.5% in February
significant success in achieving changing economic climate 2004 to 34.5% in December
skills for life targets. There is makes us realise the importance 2006) rates are still lower than
potential for this to be expanded of continuing to strive to the North East (42.7%) and
into the workplace, as increase skills in Sunderland. Great Britain (45.3%). The
employers in the city recognise The final report of the Leitch delivery of learning
the importance of a skilled Review of Skills published in opportunities tailored to the
workforce and understand the December 2006 highlights the needs of employers particularly
impact this can have on job urgent need to raise workforce the growing sectors; managers
satisfaction and raising skills – at all levels – and a joint and senior officials, professional
productivity. commitment from government, occupations and associate
employers and individuals to do professional and technical
Sunderland has a strong record this. This is especially important sectors, are key to reducing
in the use of technology for in Sunderland given the worklessness for local people.
engaging citizens in many relatively low levels of adult skills
aspects of their city life, among both the existing In relation to level 1 literacy
including learning. We have workforce and those not in skills 47% took part in the Skills
figured prominently in the employment. for Life Survey in Sunderland
International Intelligence Cities compared to the 40% average
awards, and have been awarded Targets to increase earnings, for England. It is important to
national Digital Challenge reduce income related poverty note however that Sunderland
funding of £3.5m for a and increase productivity need has 21% of local residents below
programme that will help to be supported by this skill level compared to 18%
Sunderland develop its use of improvements to skills levels so nationally. It is important to us
technology to further promote that people can achieve higher to bridge this gap to improve
social inclusion, including level qualifications and access skills of local people to enable
learning. jobs that are more highly paid. them to take advantage of
In Sunderland 15.9% of the employment opportunities.
Over the last four years partners working age population have no
have worked hard in exceeding qualifications compared to an A similar pattern is evident in
Skills for Life targets. In average of 14.3% for the North relation to entry level 3
Sunderland, since 2002, over East and 13.8% for Great Britain. qualifications in numeracy, 29%
33,000 adults have taken of residents took part in the
positive steps to improve their Skill and qualification levels are survey compared to 25%
literacy or numeracy skills. improving in the city but the average for England. Again
need for improvement remains Sunderland has 65% of
Our key achievements have a priority. The number of people residents below this skill level
provided us with a solid achieving level 2 qualifications compared to 36% nationally. It is
foundation on which to build has increased in the North East important that these low skills
our thriving learning culture. (64.1%) and is above the levels are addressed if we are to
national figure (63.8%) in 2006 achieve our vision for the city.
Key Objectives however, Sunderland is still
Everyone in Sunderland will below both national and Not enough of the city’s young
have the knowledge and skills regional averages at 58.3%. people are progressing to
essential to playing a full part university and this has the
in the city’s social, cultural People are counted as being potential to hinder efforts to
and economic development. qualified to level 3 if they have stimulate business growth and
20Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
attract businesses that can offer evidence indicates that the workforce and raising
higher wages. Sunderland is the 7th best attainment levels.
performing authority for exam
Key Facts results at the age of 18 years, Key Facts
our 11 year olds are still
• In 2006 only 34% of adults in performing below the national • Participation in education,
Sunderland had an NVQ Level average, there are a high training or employment
3 or equivalent compared number of young people who increased from 74% in 2004
with 42.7% in the North East are not in education, to 78.5% in 2007, however at
and 45.3% in Great Britain. employment or training and 12.3% Sunderland has the
there are a higher rate of people highest proportion of 16 – 18
Priority Improvement with no qualifications in year olds who are not in
Indicators Sunderland than that of Great education, training or
NI 161 Learners achieving a Britain. employment in Tyne and
level 1 qualification in literacy, Wear in which the average is
NI 162 Learners achieving an In terms of learning, the 9.7%
entry level 3 qualification in universal needs identified by • The proportion of young
numeracy, consultation exercises are to people in year 11 (71%)
NI 163 Working age population raise education standards and moving into full time
qualified to level 2 or higher, levels of achievement at Key education is the lowest in
Stages 2 and 3, create Tyne and Wear
Ensure that all children and employment/training
young people in the city opportunities for all young Priority Improvement
receive the best preparation people, basic numeracy and Indicators
and foundation for adult life. literacy in school leavers and Children, Families and Schools
good school attendance. Mandatory Indicators,
Improve attainment at all NI 117 16-18 year olds who are
levels and increase the We will work closely with not in education, training or
numbers of young people partners to maximize employment,
actively engaged in education, opportunities for young people NI 106 Young people from low
employment and training – and adults to access income backgrounds
Educational attainment in apprenticeship programmes, progressing to higher education.
Sunderland varies. Although contributing to the upskilling of
2122
LEARNING CITY
FOCUS KEY OBJECTIVES PRIORITY IMPROVEMENT INDICATORS
To create a city with a thriving learning Everyone in Sunderland will have the • NI 161 Increase the number of learners
culture that supports personal knowledge and skills essential to achieving a level 1 qualification in literacy,
fulfilment. Everyone will be able to playing a full part in the city’s social, • NI 162 Learners achieving an entry level 3
access their learning in a cohesive, cultural and economic development. qualification in numeracy,
inclusive city committed to social • NI 163 working age population qualified to level
justice, equality and prosperity. We will at least 2 or higher
ensure learning supports the city’s
economic prosperity and enable
individuals to thrive in the global • CFS Mandatory Indicators,
economy. Ensure that all children and young • NI 117 16-18 year olds who are not in
people in the city receive the best education, training or employment,
preparation and foundation for • NI 106 Young people from low income
Sunderland Local Area Agreement 2008 – 2011
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