Environment Module (South West Observatory)

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'Important decisions should be based on the best available evidence'

This is the website for the South West Observatory Environment Module with data, information and analysis about the environment in and about South West England.

The Environment Module is provided by the Environment Agency and based at Manley House in Exeter. Please let us know if you have any thoughts on how we could improve our site and, of course, email if you have any specific environmental questions that you need answers to.

UPDATED RECENTLY

> Environment White Paper - This short briefing paper outlines the recently published Natural Environment White Paper and the context in which it sits, namely the National Ecosystem Assessment and Lawton Review.

> South West Local Profiles 2011 - a minimum of 25 topics covering a variety of environmental topics, from flooding to water quality, pollution to climate change. All data where possible has been published to the lowest level of government office (i.e. district council, unitary authority, and also county council level). All profiles can be viewed on-line, or the PDF can be downloaded. Read more.

> The Environmental Theme pages are being updated currently. Some topics have been updated very recently. The Theme pages cover the environmental topics in more detail, and give trends over recent years.

> Earth Chattering - An interactive map showing the South West, and the work which is being undertaken to improve the water bodies in the South West under the Water Framework Directive. Download the briefing papers on a river near you.

News from the South West Observatory Network

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Claimant Count Data Alert - April 2012
We've just produced the latest in a series of Economic Data alerts looking at yesterday's Claimant Count figures and what they tell us about areas in the South West. Headlines: > Total rate of claimants reduces for second month running, for all LEP areas in the South West > Rates of young people (16 – 24) unemployed also reduce > Numbers of long term unemployed still rising. To download a copy click on the PDF link at the bottom of this article. 17 May 2012
Cultural Tourism - A Briefing Paper
The purpose of this paper is to provide the reader with an introduction to the concepts of 'cultural tourism' and 'cultural heritage' and present an overview of the state of cultural tourism. The focus of the paper is on South West England but briefly extends to the UK and Europe. Given the many different ways in which 'cultural tourism' is understood by academics, policy-makers and those working in the tourist industry, the paper is more of an overview than a comprehensive discussionof the subject, and the reader is sign-posted to further reading material. 24 April 2012
Culture Module's Finding the Dots - April 2012
With information on the Changing State of the South West 2012 recent SWO publication, including cultural, heritage and sporting information, download a copy of the Culture Module's 'Finding the Dots' bulletin. This contains information on local, regional and national research and events relating to culture, heritage and sport. 24 April 2012
ONLINE - The Changing State of the South West 2012 now available
At the end of March 2012 we published a web version of the 'Changing State of the South West 2012', with all accompanying maps and charts from the printed hard copy available to download. To access the online report click on the link. 30 March 2012
Good News for Cultural Infrastructure in the South West
The cultural dimension to planning and infrastructure development is acknowledged in the newly published National Planning Policy Framework after much campaigning (DCLG, 27 March 2012) and specifically in relation to Green Belt exclusions and town centres. Furthermore, Arts Council England's recent announcement of large-scale Capital Awards (29 March 2012) shows the highest funding outside London and the SE goes to the South West with a 13% share (see more) 30 March 2012
Injury Profiles for Local Authorities in England Launched
The rates of people killed and admitted to hospital due to injury differs dramatically from one local authority to another. These are the findings from the Injury Profiles, a new online data tool launched today by the South West Public Health Observatory (SWPHO) on behalf of Public Health Observatories in England. Based on data for 2008–10, almost 11,000 people die each year in England from accidental injuries, including over 2,000 from land transport accidents and nearly 3,300 from falls. This equates to approximately 5,400 years of life lost, assuming a lifespan of 75 years. The profiles show that the local authority with the highest rate of accidental deaths was Melton in Leicestershire, with a rate of 29 deaths per 100,000 people compared with Runnymede in Surrey, which had the lowest rate at 5.5 deaths per 100,000 people. Melton also had the highest rate of years of life lost at 95.6 per 10,000 compared with 10 per 10,000 in Surrey Heath in Surrey. In 2010/11 in England there... 26 March 2012
SWO Budget Briefings
23 March 2012
BBC Points West - Our Economy
On Monday night, BBC's Points West hosted a debate in Bristol, looking at the future of the regional economy, and what the big issues are for politicians, businesses, individuals, and the public and private sector. The debate aimed to air some of the key concerns and priorities for the region in advance of Wednesday's Budget. Contributors throughout the programme emphasised and gave examples of the gap between public sector losses and private sector job creation in the region. A local recruitment agent stated the increase of highly qualified public sector workers coming through their doors, and stated that “private sector enterprises are not yet taking the jump to open up employment”. A construction professional stated the knock on impact to his industry; public sector construction contracts having almost entirely “dried up”. At the same time, he stated a reduction in private sector contracts resulting from a “blockage in developers getting funding for projects”, as banks have... 20 March 2012

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Environment Module (South West Observatory)

'Important decisions should be based on the best available evidence'

This is the website for the South West Observatory Environment Module with data, information and analysis about the environment in and about South West England.

UPDATED RECENTLY

News from the Environment Agency

South West Observatory Update

> ECONOMICS & THE ECONOMY OF 2012 - Join SWO in Taunton on 14 March for an economics masterclass looking at the economy in 2012 and the prospects for the South West. Find out more.

> NEW LOCAL PROFILES 2012- Download our new series of Local Statistical Profiles, covering all Upper Tier areas in the South West. See our profiles.

> CONSULTATIONS - SWO responds to ONS 'Beyond 2011' and 'National Wellbeing Domains and Measures' consultations. Read what we said.

> RIG MEETING - You can now view presentations on the Census 2011 from the ONS and from Devon County Council from the recent SWO Regional Intelligence Group meeting. View these now.

> ARE YOU ASSOCIATED? - SWO wants to improve its flexibility to respond to calls for analytical expertise and research commissions. If you are interested in being a SWO associate register your interest via SWO Associates.

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With thanks to the South West RDA, Free Images.co.uk and Dorset County Council (Lulworth Cove) for the photos above.