SWENVO Headlines http://www.swenvo.org.uk/swo-swenvo-news.rss The 2011 Census provides an insight into the characteristics of the 13 National Parks in England and Wales. Information is presented looking at change over time from 2001 to 2011, comparing the individual national parks and making comparisons with England and Wales as a whole, across a variety of census topics from the published data. The 13 national parks of England and Wales have a special designation and are protected areas of countryside with noted scenic landscapes. http://www.swenvo.org.uk/news/all-news/?entryid9=55035 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:31:22 GMT 20130219123122 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:31:22 GMT 20130219123122 Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:50:21 GMT 2013021912125021 False ONS has today (Wednesday 30 January 2013) published 2011 Census Key and Quick Statistics for output areas, wards, parishes and parliamentary constituencies. This release follows on from that of the Key Statistics on 11 December 2012 and contains new detailed tables for some characteristics of the people living in England and Wales on 27 March 2011. Statistics available from this release include main language, method of travel to work and economic activity of students.Interactive data visualisations are also available to aid interpretation. Users can enter postcodes into the interactive maps to focus on specific areas. The published statistics are available via NeSS (in English only) to the output area level of geography, however due to differences between the NeSS and ONS websites there will be some presentational differences on NeSS. For more see the links below. http://www.swenvo.org.uk/news/all-news/?entryid9=54925 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:54:46 GMT 20130130155446 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:54:46 GMT 20130130155446 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:12:40 GMT 201301301641240 False Venue - The Albemarle Centre, Taunton TA1 1BA See Map Price - £79 (no VAT) Book Now Who should attend - Those grappling with new reforms working in policy, evidence or implementation roles, including professionals in customer contact centres, regeneration and/or community development. Confirmed speakers – Alex Marsh, Head of the School of Policy Studies, University of Bristol; Alan Sullivan, Universal Credit Programme, DWP; Chris Evans, Director South West Skills & Learning Intelligence Module (SLIM); Paul Smith, Head of Enterprise & Intelligence, Aster Group; plus individuals from Bath & North East Somerset Council; Bristol City Council; and Cornwall Council Event Overview Much of the current UK Welfare State system was established in 1948, heralding a step change in securing the provision of health care, income, housing, disability support and education. But, over 60 years later, times have changed and the discourse has moved on to overcoming welfare dependency, incentivising work and better targeting of resources to support the most needy - all in the context of squeezed public finances. The Coalition Government has identified two key problems with the current system: work incentives are poor; and the system is too complex. The Welfare Reform Act received Royal Assent in March 2012 and is intended to address these issues by changing the way that provision is determined and administered. This event is part of a series of seminars run by SWO over the Autumn and Winter. It will bring together national and local perspectives to consider policy drivers, to share experiences around the current state of preparedness for implementation, and to explore how evidence can be used to inform decision making in this emerging framework. http://www.swenvo.org.uk/news/all-news/?entryid9=54238 Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:21:00 GMT 20121023162100 Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:21:00 GMT 20121023162100 Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:24:31 GMT 201210231642431 False NEW SWO SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER - Download SWO's September newsletter with stories on our upcoming events series; 2011 Census data; the 2012 Olympics; plus a special report on behaviour change and 'nudge'. Download your copy below. Don't miss our regular Friday Update either through which you'll find a comprehensive roundup of some of the policy, research and data announcements from the past 7 days. http://www.swenvo.org.uk/news/all-news/?entryid9=53910 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 13:16:20 GMT 20121001131620 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 13:16:20 GMT 20121001131620 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 13:22:09 GMT 201210011312209 False In a period of extended recession, and with the Coalition government having embarked on a severe programme of cuts to public services, the BSA survey asks how the British public is reacting. Are people looking to the state to protect public services and social welfare, or are they turning away from government being the answer? With nearly three decades of data covering three recessions and five prime ministers, British Social Attitudes is uniquely placed to answer these questions. http://www.swenvo.org.uk/news/all-news/?entryid9=52900 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:42:33 GMT 20120917164233 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:42:33 GMT 20120917164233 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:49:10 GMT 201209171644910 False DATE - Thursday 25 October 2012 VENUE - Armada House, Bristol, BS1 4BQ COST - £79 (no VAT) Pupil number forecasting underpins pupil place planning, it informs funding for schools, expansion and building decisions and negotiations with developers for social contributions. Where supply and demand for school places do not match, the application of admissions policies can be politically sensitive and emotionally charged. Whilst approaches to forecasting vary, the building schools for the future programme has halted, Section 106 is being superseded by the Community Infrastructure Levy, and popular schools in some areas are oversubscribed while others struggle to fill their places. This event, organised by SWO in partnership Cognisant Research, brings together national and local perspectives to discuss policy drivers and inter-relations, share experiences and best practice and explore how evidence can better inform decision making. Workshops will enable more detailed discussion about: - Challenges of marrying pupil forecasts and developer contributions - The forecasting process within pupil place planning - Schools, new schools and the admissions process http://www.swenvo.org.uk/news/all-news/?entryid9=52899 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:23:19 GMT 20120917162319 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:23:19 GMT 20120917162319 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:30:06 GMT 201209171643006 False New 'contract' to give rural communities power to hold Government to account on rural growth [Source: Defra] Rural England has new power to hold the Government to account on its promise to grow the rural economy and support thriving rural communities, as Environment Secretary Owen Paterson unveils the first 'rural contract' today. The Rural Statement gives people in rural areas an expectation of the changes they should see both at work and in their communities, as the Government delivers its vision for rural England. It formalizes the Government's drive for rural businesses to overcome barriers to growth and make a sustainable contribution to economic recovery, setting out the initiatives that are already making progress towards this ambition, and those that will open up rural business opportunities in the near future. The Rural Statement names superfast broadband delivery, rural business grants and Rural Growth Networks among initiatives to create rural jobs, new business opportunities and rural economic growth. The Rural Statement reaffirms the Government's commitment to tackling red tape and freeing rural businesses and farms from the unnecessary Government control that has got in the way of rural economic growth in the past. Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said, “Rural economic growth is vital for this country. The Government's role is to ensure that rural areas have all the infrastructure they need to grow. Businesses should then be free from the unnecessary Government red tape that has got in the way of rural economic growth in the past. “For too long, rural England was neglected by central Government and its businesses struggled to achieve their ambitions. We've already transformed the prospects of thousands of rural businesses and, want to make sure that change is felt in every part of rural England. To do this, we've created the first 'rural contract' to give rural areas the power to hold us to account on our promise to grow the rural economy and support thriving rural communities.” Harry Cotterell, President of the Country Land & Business Association (CLA), said: “We welcome this focus on rural economic growth. Long-term sustainability and the competitiveness of rural businesses are crucial in the present economic climate. It is vital Defra understands the needs and interests of rural businesses as well as those who live and work in rural areas.” Central to the Government's drive to unlock the economic potential of rural England is its pledge to achieve the best superfast broadband network in Europe by 2015. In Cumbria today, Mr Paterson will celebrate with one of the first two communities to have been given a pre-contract agreement for funding for superfast fibre optic broadband. 525 homes and businesses in Garsdale and Dentdale will be connected following the Government's £157,500 investment in the Fibre Garden community-led project. This is part of the Government's £20 million Rural Community Broadband Fund, and in addition to its £530 million Broadband Delivery UK programme. Culture Secretary Maria Miller said: “Superfast broadband is key to the economic prosperity of rural communities. The Government is investing £680 million in delivering the best broadband in Europe – and we are slashing red tape to get the programme moving quickly. The Government means business and superfast broadband will help kick start our economy.” The Government is determined that businesses in rural areas should not be held back by the challenges of their location, and rural communities should have fair access to public services. The Rural Statement formalizes this ambition and makes clear that, to achieve these aims, the Government will engage directly with rural communities and businesses so that they can influence the changes needed. As one part of this process of engagement, all Defra ministers are going on a series of Rural Roadshows. Rural Roadshows allow ministers to hear first-hand about rural issues from communities and businesses, to discover what help is needed to support rural growth and jobs, and when the Government needs to step back and let them thrive. Today, on his Rural Roadshow in Wiltshire, Defra minister, Richard Benyon will visit an 'enterprise hub' created by the region's Rural Growth Network. In five regions across the country, Rural Growth Networks are expected to create a total of more than 3,000 jobs and 700 start-up businesses following £15 million total Government investment. Notes Subject to pre-contract conditions being met, the first two communities in the country will be offered funding from the Rural Community Broadband Fund. This £20 million Fund, financed jointly by Defra and Broadband Delivery UK, is delivering superfast broadband to the remotest communities, which would otherwise receive a minimum standard broadband connection under the main rural broadband programme. The Fibre GarDen project will create a fibre optic network that connects every property in the isolated and sparsely populated upland rural communities of Garsdale and Dentdale in south east Cumbria. The superfast broadband network, with initial speeds of 100 mbps, will be built and operated by the community interest company, Fibre GarDen CIC. Once the build is complete, the ownership of the network will remain with the CIC, ensuring that it continues to serve the community's needs into the future. The other community project to have been offered pre-contact agreement is Fell End, situated over seven miles from the nearest service centre, in Ravenstonedale, Cumbria. Subject to contractual agreements, the Government has agreed to provide £17,400 for this second project from the Rural Community Broadband Fund to connect 58 premises. In November 2011, the Rural Economy Growth review was announced to stimulate rural economic growth. Measures include: - £100 million from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) to give rural businesses new opportunities to grow - Grants totalling £20 million to extend superfast broadband to the remotest areas; - £15 million for Rural Growth Networks to address the barriers to growth that rural businesses face; expected to create 3,000 new jobs and 700 start-ups - Action to make it easier to change the use of farm buildings to address the shortage of rural business premises - £25 million to promote rural tourism and supporting its businesses (includes £10 million RDPE funding) - Loans totalling £15 million for community-owned renewable energy schemes http://www.swenvo.org.uk/news/all-news/?entryid9=52776 Thu, 13 Sep 2012 09:39:13 GMT 20120913093913 Thu, 13 Sep 2012 09:39:13 GMT 20120913093913 Thu, 13 Sep 2012 09:55:08 GMT 201209130995508 False On Friday 21 September 2012, SWO Core Unit will run a Census Outputs and Analysis Workshop. This free event will update users on how to access the more detailed Census data, as it becomes available from November 2012 onwards. This will include demonstrations of some of the new ONS data dissemination tools. ONS and the ESRC will update delegates on their analysis programmes, before Observatory network members (including the Core Unit, SWSLIM, and SWPHO) discuss and present their own plans for understanding and interpreting the Census results. By mapping out analysis programmes across national and subnational geographies, the aim of the day will be to understand how we make the best use of this rich source of information to identify any duplication or gaps in analysis and to establish how gaps may be filled through collaborating and sharing resource. This event will appeal to officers who will be working with the 2011 Census data, now and for years to come. Confirmed speakers include: - Alan Lewis, SASPAC Project Lead, GLA- Dave Martin, ESRC Census Programme Director- Jon Gough, Census Analysis Programme Lead, ONS- Dave Lethbridge, Stakeholder Engagement Officer, Web Data Access (WDA) Project, ONS- SWO Core Unit and Module representatives Requested: - Alan Smith, Head of Data Visualisation, ONS http://www.swenvo.org.uk/news/all-news/?entryid9=52679 Fri, 10 Aug 2012 19:30:50 GMT 20120810193050 Fri, 10 Aug 2012 19:30:50 GMT 20120810193050 Mon, 13 Aug 2012 13:20:13 GMT 201208131312013 False SWO has just published its 2011/12 Annual Report. To download a copy click on the link below; to request a hard copy email enquiries@swo.org.uk . http://www.swenvo.org.uk/news/all-news/?entryid9=52673 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:42:32 GMT 20120808144232 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:42:32 GMT 20120808144232 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:46:14 GMT 201208081424614 False We've just launched a new Census 2011 page on the SWO website to bring together a range of useful resources for those interested in Census data to inform their work and plans. Recently Updated - Download SWO's Census 2011 Briefing Paper (below) on the latest population and household data. Key Facts: - The percentage of the population of England and Wales aged 65 and over is the highest seen in any census at 16.4%, or one in six people. In the South West, the proportion is higher, at 19.6%; - Relative population growth in the South West seems to have slowed over the past 20 years; between 1991 and 2001 it exceeded the national rate, but is now slightly below it, having grown by 7.0% between 2001 and 2011 (compared with 7.1% in England and Wales); - Population Density in England and Wales is 371 people per square km. Across the South West, this ranges from 3,974 (in Bournemouth), to 46 (in West Devon). Our urban areas are significantly more densely populated than our rural and coastal areas; - There has been a noticeable increase in residents aged 60 – 69, as post‐war 'baby boomers' hit retirement age. This increase is also likely to reflect national migration patterns, given the region's popularity as a retirement destination;The rate of increase of age groups 20 – 24, 30 – 34 and 35 – 39 has been higher in the South West, than in England and Wales over the past 10 years. Despite this, the proportion of the region's population aged 20 – 39 (24%) is lower than in England and Wales (27%). - This has implications for economic growth and our ability to support the ageing population with a younger workforce. http://www.swenvo.org.uk/news/all-news/?entryid9=52634 Tue, 24 Jul 2012 08:38:45 GMT 20120724083845 Tue, 24 Jul 2012 08:38:45 GMT 20120724083845 Tue, 24 Jul 2012 08:55:38 GMT 201207240885538 False