Living in North Warwickshire

Pressures and Challenges facing North Warwickshire

Population
North Warwickshire is the northern most district in Warwickshire, a rural area of 110 square miles lying between Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry, Nuneaton and Tamworth. It is home to 62,000 people, of which the vast majority are white and only 1.3% from other ethnic groups.

Population has increased by 3.1% since 1981. The elderly (70-84) and very elderly (85+) populations have increased significantly whilst births continue to fall.

The Environment
The area is characterised by attractive open countryside, served by the market towns of Atherstone, Coleshill and Polesworth. There are a number of small villages together with hamlets of only a few houses. Communities vary from former mining settlements, where incomes remain generally low and deprivation experienced, to more affluent settlements where many residents continue to work in towns outside the Borough.

The area boasts a wealth of treasures such as the local canals, historic buildings, ancient monuments, wildlife sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, conservation areas, country parks, water parks and gardens.

The overwhelming land use throughout the area is agriculture, largely in extensive estates and accompanied by countryside recreating. Nationally, farming has declined as an employer, but is still of major importance in the local economy and underpins the rural scene.

The Economy
Unemployment in the Borough is low at 1.5% compared to 2.4% nationally (August 2005). The economy has undergone major change following mine closures in the 1960's, 70's and 80's, but has successfully diversified with new employment sites and recreation and tourism development. The Borough has the only operational coal mine in the region at Daw Mill, Arley: one of the most efficient in Europe.

There is no main urban centre as the area is served by small market towns and villages. There is no competition from the surrounding conurbations for jobs, shopping and other services, while some facilities simply are not available in the Borough, for example certain types of health care services. Due to the dispersed rural nature of the area, people have to travel considerable distances to access jobs, services and facilities casuing problems for those with mobility problems and lack of transport.

North Warwickshire has the greatest number of people travelling to work by car (75.3%) within the West Midlands region. Only 4.5% of residents use public transport to get to work comared to 14.5% nationally. Transport is a major barrier to accessing employment and services in the area. However, more people have used local buses in recent years and the services are now the best in Warwickshire.

There is a varied supply of housing, often in pleasant rural surroundings, which attracts commuters. House prices appear to be more affordable than elsewhere in Warwickshire but it is worth noting that many people on low incomes are unable to afford to buy a property. There is therefore a need for affordable housing, although much of the housing stock in the Borough is in poor condition. For example, some properties are clustered in isolated locations which once served the mines and are now of mixed tenure and in need of improvements.

Some 75.4% of households are owner-occupied. This is above the national figure of 6839% but reflects the Warwickshire average of 75.6%

Social Issues
North Warwickshire has 28 infant junior and primary schools and five secondary schools. The area has an above average number of people aged 16-74 without any qualifications compared with England and Wales average of 29.1% and is behind the national average of 15 year olds achieving five or more GCSEs. There are particular issues in the former mining areas where skill levels reamin comparatively low.

Nationally, just over a third of households (36%) are made up of married couples. In North Warwickshire, the figure is almost half (44%).

Average household size is above the national average. There are 2.44 persons per household in North Warwickshire compared with 2.36 nationally and 2.37 in Warwickshire.

People providing unpaid care for a relative, friend or neighbour, is above the national average and is a matter of increasing concern with an ageing population.

North Warwickshire has above the national average of elderly people (65 years+) claiming income related benefits and the area is above the county average for people with limiting long-term illness and general poor health. The district ranks 14th and 13th (of 34 Local Authorities) regionally.

Fear of crime remains an issue, as many people feel vulnerable because they live in isolated rural areas. However, the area has a relatively low crime rate and levels have been falling significantly over the past two years.

top of page

home | about us | community plan | news and events | theme groups

local area agreements | contact us