Clackmannanshire 'is on the up'

Kevin McRoberts • Published 4 Nov 2009 12:20 0 Comments

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QUALITY of life is improving for many people living in Clackmannanshire, according to the latest study measuring levels of deprivation across Scotland.

The Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) indicates Clackmannanshire is now ranked 17th out of the 32 local authority areas in terms of overall deprivation - an improvement from 15th in 2006 and 14th in 2004.

But around one in five areas in the Wee County are among the most deprived 15 per cent in Scotland, with much of Alloa South and East suffering the most from deprivation.

The SIMD scores provide a relative ranking of 6505 for small areas - known as data zones - across Scotland. Clackmannanshire has 64 data zones, 13 of which are among the most deprived 15 per cent in Scotland.

But that's an improvement on 2006 when 15 of the county's data zones were in the 15 per cent of the most deprived.

Improvement

Many other areas across the county have also improved their rankings, with much of this being put down to better education and improved employment opportunities.

Council leader Janet Cadenhead said, "I'm delighted by this news, which confirms my view that Clackmannanshire is on the up.

"By working with partners in the public and voluntary sector and with local businesses, the Council has made a real difference in maintaining employment and encouraging enterprise."

The council's chief executive Angela Leitch added, "Areas that were previously classed as 'deprived' are now thriving, which shows that targeting our resources to the areas most in need is working.

"We've very clear priorities to improve health, learning and employment in these areas, so it's great to see progress."

However, deprivation remains a particularly acute problem in Alloa South and East, areas of Tullibody and parts of Sauchie.

Of the six data zones in Alloa South and East, five are in the most deprived 15 per cent in Scotland and the worst areas have deteriorated further since the last survey in 2006.

Councillor Cadenhead said, "There are still pockets of deprivation in our communities and the council, working with our partners, will continue to target our efforts at improving the quality of life for people in these areas and across Clackmannanshire as a whole."

The most deprived data zone in Clackmannanshire is the area of Alloa South and East near the Earlsfield rugby ground, including parts of streets such as Harris Court, Forth Crescent and Engelen Drive.

Affluent

The least deprived part of the county is in Tillicoultry, around the streets Harviestoun Grove, Sandy Knowe and Melloch Crescent.

The SIMD measures 37 indicators across seven broad themes - income, employment, education, health, housing, access and crime.

One of the areas of improvement in Clackmannanshire has been the reduction of crime and the fear of crime.

Chief Inspector Bob Hutchison, of Clackmannanshire Area Command, said, "Crime is coming down in Clackmannanshire. From April this year to mid-October, there were more than 240 fewer crimes recorded than in the same period in 2008.

"That relates to significantly fewer victims of crime in this area and supports the message that Clackmannanshire is on the up.

"Working with our partners, we are committed to ensuring our communities are safe places in which to reside, work and visit.

"That work very much includes listening to the public, establishing what the priority concerns are and taking action."

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