Agenda item

INDEX OF MULTIPLE DEPRIVATION

To consider the summary of the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019 data which summarises the areas of multiple deprivation in the Rushmoor (copy attached).  The Head of Democracy, Strategy and Partnerships will also present information from other sources and the Board will be asked to consider the areas which the Council should focus to address the issues highlighted.

Minutes:

The Board received a summary of the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2019 data which summarised the areas of multiple deprivation in Rushmoor.  The Head of Democracy, Strategy and Partnerships presented the data and the Board were asked to consider the areas which the Council should focus to address the issues identified in the data.

 

In 2007 and 2010 the IMD data identified North Town, Mayfield and Heron Wood as areas in Rushmoor in the 20% most deprived in the country.  The Council’s Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy 2009-2014 aimed to ensure there were no areas in Rushmoor in this category by 2013.  The Council’s Community Development team led a partnership approach to neighbourhood improvement and cohesion work to address the deprivation issues.  Despite the additional partnership work the 2019 IMD data identified parts of Cherrywood, Aldershot Park and Wellington ward as being in the 20% most deprived in the country.

 

The IMD 2019 data was released in September 2019, it was highlighted that the data was a snapshot and not particularly up to date in some categories; the data was mainly from 2015 and 2016 with some from the 2011 census.  Rushmoor was a very diverse Borough with some areas in the least deprived category and some in the most deprived.  Other sources of evidence had been examined to obtain a clearer picture of the data and gather more up to date figures where possible.

 

Additional data on income had been gathered from Citizens Advice, which was more up to date, and compared to the IMD data, showed there was some correlation in the results.  Income deprivation affecting older people showed 12 areas in the 10% most deprived areas in England.  It was highlighted that the number of adults receiving Pension Credit was part of the calculation and it was possible that a significant number of pension age Nepali residents who were not eligible for a state pension could be receiving Pension Credit.  Other data sources examined related to employment, skills and training, education, health and disability, crime, barriers to housing and services and living environment.

 

In examining the data it was clear that there were complex issues affecting the data which needed further examination.  Work would need to be carried out with partner organisations, particularly on health, education and crime issues, to gain a better understanding of the data and how to best address it.  The assessment of the IMD data and supporting evidence would be completed and presented to partner organisations.  The priorities would need to be considered and an action plan developed which would require support from the Council, partners and local communities.

 

The Board discussed the information received and agreed that more work was required to better understand the data.  The Board was advised that a report on the crime data would be presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee which would be shared with Board members.  It was suggested that a working group was set up to look at the data in further detail and provide an input into the development of the deprivation strategy and action plan.  It was agreed that once the scoping work had been complete the working group could be established.  Board members were asked to provide any additional input on the deprivation priorities by email to the Head of Democracy, Strategy and Partnerships.

 

Action to be taken

By Whom

When

Circulate the Overview and Scrutiny Committee report on crime data to Board members

Justine Davie

February 2020

Establish a working group as required to input into the preparation of the deprivation strategy and action plan once the scoping work had been complete

Andrew Colver

June 2020

Provide input on priorities for the Council arising from the IMD 2019 data to andrew.colver@rushmoor.gov.uk

All PPAB members

February 2020

 

Supporting documents: