|
Social Audit... Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations |
||
|
Summary
of Conclusions and Recommendations Conclusions return to top of page Conclusion 1: Results
from the questionnaire survey demonstrate a strong attachment to
place and a highly developed sense of community amongst residents
of Cwmparc, Treorchy and Ynyswen. This is consistent with the
findings of previous surveys conducted in the Rhondda Valleys and
is a major asset for any programme of regeneration. Conclusion 2: Crime
and community safety issues are identified as major problems by
residents of Cwmparc, Treorchy and Ynyswen. However, despite this
the fear of crime in the area appears to be comparatively low. Conclusion 3: In
terms of individual community safety issues the main areas of
concern are with a perceived local drug problem, car related crime
and youth annoyance. The solutions to these problems are largely
seen to lie outside the criminal justice system and instead reside
in such things as adequate drug and alcohol treatment programmes
and education, and better provision of recreational facilities. Conclusion 4: There
is clear support amongst the community for a more local style of
policing characterized by the establishment of local police
stations and increased use of foot patrols. In particular there is
a clear demand for a local contact point for the police service. Conclusion 5: Although the general provision of recreational facilities is widely considered to be inadequate this is particularly the case for the provision of recreational facilities for young people. In particular, there is a lack of safe and appropriate play areas for young children and a lack of venues where young people in their mid to late teens can meet and socialise with one another.
Conclusion 6: There are notable disparities in the provision of recreational facilities between the three areas and also between males and females with much provision- particularly in sporting activities - being male dominated.
Conclusion 7: Although
there are major differences between these key community facilities
in terms of the phase of their development, their utilization by
the local community and the activities and services that they
provide they share common problems with funding difficulties. Conclusion 8: The
demise of the coal industry has left a continuing legacy of
structural problems and weaknesses within the local economy. In
the recent past these weaknesses have been manifested by high
rates of unemployment. Although unemployment continues to be an
issue, structural economic problems appear to be currently
manifested by the prevalence of low paid employment in the local
area and the lack of employment with opportunities for long term
skills development. Conclusion 9: The
research findings demonstrate high levels of satisfaction with
local education services amongst parents, pupils and the general
population. However, there does appear to be a need to upgrade
sporting and recreational facilities in some local primary
schools. Conclusion 10: In common with other Valleys areas residents of Cwmparc, Treorchy and Ynyswen clearly suffer disproportionately from poor health. Although there are high levels of reported satisfaction with health and support services, there are also reported instances of communication difficulties with local GPs and transport difficulties when accessing hospital treatment. There appears to be a particular gap in provision of health services in relation to drug and alcohol services. Conclusion 11: There are clearly serious problems with the road traffic infrastructure in the area. Congestion, especially on the main arterial routes, has a negative impact on residents quality of life, detracts from the attractiveness of Treorchy town centre as a shopping area, increases residents travel to work times for those working outside of the area and is also likely to discourage inward investment. These problems are compounded by parking difficulties in residential streets and around local amenities, whilst there are also road safety fears created by speeding traffic. Conclusion 12: There is a clear view that local public transport services can be improved. The main areas of concern relate to a perceived unreliability of the bus service and a perceived lack of co-ordination in timetabling for journeys requiring two or more buses. Satisfaction levels with the local bus service are at their lowest in Cwmparc.
Conclusion 13: Although residents identify problems in their local built and natural environment many also see the aspects of the environment as key local assets . These aspects of the environment are central to the quality of life in the area but are currently under developed in terms of their potential contribution to such key issues as the provision of recreational facilities and economic regeneration.
Conclusion 14: The condition of the back lanes is something that is considered to be a serious problem by many residents. Instead of playing a key role in alleviating problems relating to parking, vandalism/theft of cars and access difficulties they have become an eyesore and a negative influence on the quality of life.
Conclusion 15: There is clear concern amongst residents about the condition of the local built environment in terms of issues such as litter, dog mess and fly tipping. The cleanliness, appearance, usefulness and effective dereliction of back lanes is a source of particular anger for many local residents. Additionally there is also concern about damage caused to the natural environment by fires, fly tipping, plastic wastes in the rivers and general vandalism. Recom Recommendation 1: The Regeneration Group should take every opportunity to
promote community activity and volunteering opportunities. Recommendation 2: That the Regeneration Group commences the development of a
Community Safety Strategy which would be based on partnership
working with the Police, Drug and Alcohol Teams and the Youth
Offending Team. The strategy should investigate the linkages
between youth crime and nuisance and the provision for young
people in the locality. Solutions adopted should be based on
providing alternative to anti-social activities rather than
processes which further exclude and ‘punish’ young people. Recommendation 3: That the regeneration group explores policing issues with
the South Wales Constabulary to jointly investigate the potential
for more community policing, neighborhood wardens or community
support workers. Recommendation 4: That priority is given to pursuing funding to expand the
range and quality of recreational facilities for young people. The
precise nature of these facilities should be negotiated through
ongoing consultation with local young people, and consideration
should be given to the establishment of bodies such as a young
people’s forum through which young people can make their voice
heard. Recommendation 5:
That the Regeneration Group review current provision and work with
potential partners to improve facilities in the locality
particularly to improve the level of youth provision, its
distribution and its ability to meet the needs of females. Recommendation 6: That the Regeneration Group seek to secure funding for a
worker with a specific remit of identifying potential funding
streams, preparing and contributing to funding bids for projects
which the group identify. Recommendation 7: Although the problems with the local economy are structural
with origins in wider processes beyond the control of the
regeneration group, there may well be instances where community
regeneration can make a positive, if incremental, contribution.
Where possible the regeneration group should seek to promote and
develop indigenous economic growth in the local area. Recommendation 8: That the group seeks to develop active partnership
arrangements with local drug agencies in order to develop a
pro-active system of support alcohol and drug misusers together
with a programme of education aimed at the general population.
This is a Valleys wide problem and it may well be desirable to
develop links with other areas experiencing similar difficulties. Recommendation 9: The problems with the road infrastructure are again
structural and therefore beyond the control of the regeneration
group. However, the group should lend its support to other groups
campaigning for a bypass. In the near term it may be possible to
develop partnership arrangements with the local police force and
highways department with a view to implementing traffic calming
and control measures. The precise implementation of these measures
should be conducted through a process of ongoing consultation with
the community. Recommendation 10: That the Regeneration group supports the creation of a
community transport scheme and contributes to a positive outcome
for the current feasibility study. Recommendation 11: That the regeneration group initiate feasibility studies
to explore the potential development of a heritage centre/trail,
outdoor pursuits/field study centre and a bike track. These
studies should consider whether these enterprises can be
established as community businesses employing or owned by local
people/groups. Recommendation 12: The Regeneration Group should encourage use of local
authority initiatives such as “waste busters” and where
necessary maintain pressure on the local authority to meet its
statutory obligations to clear fly tipping and other nuisance
materials. The
Regeneration Group should promote organised litter picking
activities to both clear the areas identified and promote greater
local responsibility on the part of residents. The Health and
Safety implications of this activity should be fully explored
prior to its implementation. The
Regeneration Group should explore with residents a shared cost
scheme for the improvement of the back lanes. Individual household
costs may be low enough to be offset by improved property values. Recommendation 13: That the physical regeneration of the area is incorporated as a key aspect of the wider process of regeneration. The process of physical regeneration should include the development of waste and/or under utilised sites as leisure amenities (e.g. walks picnic areas) and a sustained programme of clearance of litter/fly tipping blackspots. *
* * * * |
||
|
please send your news items to - news@Treorchy.net Treorchy.net aims to provide you with an accurate news section - if you find a factual error, please let us know! |