Cumbria Quality of Life Survey 2006 Copeland District Report

1. Cumbria Quality of Life Survey 2006Copeland District Report

2. Part 1: Key findings

3. Key findings (1) – quality of life • The Quality of Life Survey findings show a considerable degree of similarity between liveability and satisfaction in Copeland and in Cumbria as a whole. • Nonetheless, there are some important differences: • Copeland residents are less likely than those County-wide to worry about being a victim of crime. • Residents in Copeland give higher priority to health services and job prospects than do residents in Cumbria overall. These findings are likely to reflect lower levels of satisfaction with hospitals and the lower proportion of people employed full-time than in other districts of Cumbria, with the exception of Barrow (source: 2001 Census data); and, • Lower satisfaction is evident with many local services and facilities (parks and green spaces, hospitals, children’s playgrounds, local train and bus services and leisure facilities for young people) among users of these services in Copeland than among users elsewhere in the County. • Levels of satisfaction with the local area are relatively high in Copeland, with 86% of residents saying they are satisfied, a finding in-line with satisfaction across Cumbria as a whole.

4. Key findings (2) – crime and safety • Concern about crime appears to be less widespread in Copeland than it is in Cumbria overall, with Copeland residents less likely to be worried about being a victim of crime than are Cumbria residents generally. • 22% of Copeland residents say they feel unsafe outside after dark, which compares with around three in ten people nationally (British Crime Survey 2005/6). • Anti-social behaviour (ASB) is a key concern for Copeland residents, as it is for those in Cumbria overall – and two thirds do not feel well informed about what is being done to combat it.

5. Key findings (3) - participation • A strong sense of community cohesion is evident in Copeland, as it is in Cumbria generally – two thirds of residents say they feel they belong to their community. However, residents in Copeland are less likely to say they trust most people locally and less likely to believe that people from different backgrounds get on well together in their local area than Cumbria residents overall are. • Half of Copeland residents believe people in their neighbourhood are able to influence local decision-making by working together, which is in line with figures for Cumbria as a whole. However, Copeland residents are less likely than residents in Cumbria overall to feel that they personally are able to influence local decision-making. • Many Copeland residents are keen to have more of a say in Council decisions, with two in five giving this view, compared to around one in five residents nationally (source: Ipsos MORI research for the DCLG). It should be noted, however, that previous Ipsos MORI research has shown residents tend to ‘overclaim’ in terms of their actual willingness to get involved.

6. Key findings (4) - liveability • In terms of what makes an area a good place to live, health services and job prospects are seen as more important in Copeland than in Cumbria overall, while low crime levels and access to nature are seen as less important. Satisfaction with hospitals among those using them in Copeland is lower than in the County as a whole, which may underlie the finding that Copeland residents perceive health services as a key aspect of quality of life. Furthermore, the higher priority given to job prospects is likely to relate to Copeland having a lower level of full-time employment than other district in Cumbria, with the exception of Barrow (source: 2001 Census). • Liveabilityissues such as clean streets are an important driver of Copeland residents’ satisfaction with the local area – as they are for Cumbria residents overall. Dog fouling, litter and roads and footpaths being in poor condition are particular concerns for people in Copeland and may be priorities for the Council to address.

7. Key findings (5) – service delivery • Copeland residents’ top priorities for improvement in their local area are activities for teenagers, job prospects and public transport. Job prospects, health services and shopping facilities are cited by a higher proportion of Copeland residents as in need of improvement than by residents in Cumbria overall. By contrast, other issues – road and pavement repairs and affordable decent housing - are seen as less in need of improvement than they are by residents County-wide. • Broadly speaking, Copeland residents think service delivery in the local area is good. Satisfaction with certain local services and facilities – libraries and public toilets - is higher among users of these services in Copeland than it is in Cumbria overall. • Satisfaction with some other services and facilities, however – the number and quality of parks and green spaces, hospitals, children’s playgrounds, local train and bus services and leisure facilities for young people – is lower among users of these services resident in Copeland than in Cumbria overall.

8. Interpretation of the data • A sample, not the entire population of Copeland, has returned a survey questionnaire. All results are therefore subject to sampling tolerances, and not all differences between percentages are statistically significant. As a guide, when comparing Cumbria against the districts there needs to be a difference of 6 percentage points for that difference to be statistically significant. • Data have been weighted to the known demographic profile of the area from the 2001 Census and to account for relative differences in the population size of districts. • Where percentages do not sum to 100, this may be due to computer rounding, the exclusion of ‘don’t know’ categories, or it being possible to give multiple answers to that question. • In this headline report, reference is made to ‘net’ figures. This represents the balance of opinion on attitudinal questions, and provides a useful means of comparing the results for number variables. For example, if 40% of residents are satisfied and 25% dissatisfied, the ‘net satisfaction’ figure is +15 points. • Caution should be taken when making comparisons with national data such as the British Crime Survey due to the different methodologies used.

9. Part 2: Liveability in Copeland

10. Quality of life (1) Q Thinking generally, which of the things below would you say are most important in making somewhere a good place to live? % Top ten mentions Copeland Cumbria Health services The level of crime Affordable decent housing Education provision Job prospects Clean streets Public transport Access to nature Wage levels/cost of living Activities for teenagers Base: 2,133 Cumbria residents; 325 Copeland residents

11. Quality of life (2) Copeland Q Thinking generally, which of the things below would you say are most important in making somewhere a good place to live? Cumbria 2003/04 Cumbria BVPI Health services The level of crime Affordable decent housing Education provision Job prospects Clean streets Public transport Access to nature Wage levels/cost of living Activities for teenagers Base: 2,133 Cumbria residents; 325 Copeland residents; 1,137 BVPI residents

12. Improvements to local area Copeland Q And thinking about this local area, which of the things below, if any, do you think most need improving? Cumbria 2003/04 Cumbria BVPI % Top ten mentions Activities for teenagers Job prospects Public transport Road/pavement repairs Clean streets Health services Level of crime Affordable decent housing Facilities for young children Shopping facilities Base: 2,133 Cumbria residents; 325 Copeland residents; 1,137 BVPI residents

13. Importance vs. need for improvements % Most important Health services The level of crime; Affordable decent housing Education provision Job prospects Clean streets Wage levels and local cost of living Public transport Access to nature Shopping facilities Parks and open spaces Activities for teenagers Facilities for young children Road and pavement repairs Level of pollution Level of traffic congestion Cultural facilities Community activities Race relations Sports and leisure facilities % Most need improving Base: 325 Copeland residents

14. Satisfaction with local area Q Overall how satisfied are you with your local area as a place to live? Not stated Very satisfied Not at all satisfied Not very satisfied Fairly satisfied Base: 2,133 Cumbria residents; 325 Copeland residents

15. Satisfaction with districts Q Overall how satisfied are you with your local area as a place to live? ±% Net satisfaction Copeland Cumbria Allerdale Barrow Carlisle Eden South Lakeland Base: 2,133 Cumbria; 325 Copeland; 373 Allerdale; 314 Barrow; 362 Carlisle; 389 Eden; 370 South Lakeland residents

16. Changes in local area Q On the whole, do you think over the last 3 years your local area has got better, got worse or stayed the same? % Better % Same % Worse Copeland Cumbria Allerdale Barrow Carlisle Eden South Lakeland Base: 2,133 Cumbria; 325 Copeland; 373 Allerdale; 314 Barrow; 362 Carlisle; 389 Eden; 370 South Lakeland residents

17. Comments about local area Q Why do you say the local area has got worse? Most frequent responses: Environment (18%) Transport (11%) Crime and safety (10%) Further responses: Local amenities and facilities (7%) Children/young people (7%) Housing and business development (6%) Community (3%) Other negative comments (7%) Q Why do you say the local area has got better? Most frequent responses: Community (4%) Environment (2%) Crime and safety (2%) Further responses: Housing and business development (1%) Local amenities and facilities (1%) Other positive comments (2%) Base: 325 Copeland residents

18. Influence over decision-making (1) Q To what extent do you agree with the following statements?‘I can influence decisions that affect my local area’ Strongly agree 1% Not stated Agree Strongly disagree Disagree Neither/nor Base: 325 Copeland residents

19. Influence over decision-making (2) Q To what extent do you agree with the following statement?‘I can influence decisions that affect my local area’ % Agree % Disagree Copeland Cumbria Allerdale Barrow Carlisle Eden South Lakeland Base: 2,133 Cumbria; 325 Copeland; 373 Allerdale; 314 Barrow; 362 Carlisle; 389 Eden; 370 South Lakeland residents

20. Interest in the Council and decision making Q Which of these statements below comes closest to your own attitudes towards your district and county council? Copeland Cumbria I’m not interested in what the council does, or whether they do their job I’m not interested in what the council does as long as they do their job I like to know what the council is doing, but I'm happy to let them get on with their job I would like to have more of a say in what the council does I already work for, or am involved with, the council Don’t know/not stated Base: 2,133 Cumbria residents; 325 Copeland residents

21. Involvement with Council Q Which of these statements below comes closest to your own attitudes towards your district and county council? All those agreeing with: ‘I would like to have more of a say in what the council does, and the services it provides’ Gender Male Female Age 16-34 35-54 55+ Working status Working Not working Base: 325 Copeland residents

22. Involvement with Council Q Which of these statements below comes closest to your own attitudes towards your district and county council? All those agreeing with: ‘I would like to have more of a say in what the council does, and the services it provides’ Copeland Cumbria Allerdale Barrow Carlisle Eden South Lakeland Base: 2,133 Cumbria; 325 Copeland; 373 Allerdale; 314 Barrow; 362 Carlisle; 389 Eden; 370 South Lakeland residents

23. Part 3: Community and Safety

24. Attitudes to neighbourhood Q To what extent do you agree with the following statements? % Disagree % Agree By working together people in my neighbourhood can influence decisions that affect their neighbourhood Copeland Cumbria In my local area people from different backgrounds get on well together (e.g. race, disability, social group) Copeland Cumbria Copeland I trust many or most of the people locally Cumbria Copeland I feel I belong to my local area Cumbria Base: 2,133 Cumbria residents; 325 Copeland residents

25. Time spent on voluntary work Q If you have volunteered during the last year, roughly how many total hours have you volunteered, on average, per week? Less than 2 hours 2-5 hours 6-9 hours 10-13 hours 14 hours plus Base: All those who say they have volunteered in the last year (117)

26. Fear of crime Q How worried are you about being a victim of any type of crime in your local area? % Worried % Not worried Copeland Cumbria Allerdale Barrow Carlisle Eden South Lakeland Base: 2,133 Cumbria; 325 Copeland; 373 Allerdale; 314 Barrow; 362 Carlisle; 389 Eden; 370 South Lakeland residents

27. Having been a victim of crime Q Have you been a victim of any type of crime in the past 12 months? % ‘Yes’ Copeland Cumbria Allerdale Barrow Carlisle Eden South Lakeland Base: 2,133 Cumbria; 325 Copeland; 373 Allerdale; 314 Barrow; 362 Carlisle; 389 Eden; 370 South Lakeland residents

28. Perceptions of safety in local area (1) Q How safe or unsafe do you feel in your local area, i.e. the area within 15-20 minutes of your home? Cumbria% ±% Net safe 55 Outdoors after dark 92 Indoors after dark Outdoors during the day 94 95 Indoors during the day Base: 2,133 Cumbria residents; 325 Copeland residents

29. Perceptions of safety in local area (2) Q How safe or unsafe do you feel in your local area, i.e. the area within 15-20 minutes of your home? ±% Net safe outdoors after dark Copeland Cumbria Allerdale Barrow Carlisle Eden South Lakeland Base: 2,133 Cumbria; 325 Copeland; 373 Allerdale; 314 Barrow; 362 Carlisle; 389 Eden; 370 South Lakeland residents

30. Change in local area with regard to crime and safety Q In terms of crime and safety, do you feel in the last 3 years your local area has got better, worse or stayed the same? % Better % Same % Worse Copeland Cumbria Allerdale Barrow Carlisle Eden South Lakeland Base: 2,133 Cumbria; 325 Copeland; 373 Allerdale; 314 Barrow; 362 Carlisle; 389 Eden; 370 South Lakeland residents

31. Anti-social behaviour (1) Q How much of a problem do you feel that the following are in your local area? % Not a problem % A minor problem % A serious problem People using drugs Parents not taking responsibility for the behaviour of their children Teenagers hanging around on the streets People not treating other people with respect and consideration People dealing drugs People being drunk or rowdy in public places Noisy neighbours or loud parties Base: 325 Copeland residents. Note: the chart does not include don’t know or not stated

32. Anti-social behaviour (2) Q How much of a problem do you feel that the following are in your local area? % Not a problem % A minor problem % A serious problem Crimes against your property Door step crimes Abandoned or burnt-out cars Deliberate rubbish/wheelie bin fires People sleeping rough in the streets People being attacked because of their skin colour, ethnic origin or religion Base: 325 Copeland residents. Note: the chart does not include don’t know or not stated

33. Tackling anti-social behaviour Q How well informed do you feel about what is being done to tackle anti-social behaviour in your local area? % Very well informed % Fairly well informed % Not very well informed % Not well informed at all % Don’t know/ not stated Copeland Cumbria Allerdale Barrow Carlisle Eden South Lakeland Base: 2,133 Cumbria; 325 Copeland; 373 Allerdale; 314 Barrow; 362 Carlisle; 389 Eden; 370 South Lakeland residents

34. Effectiveness of the criminal justice system Q How effective do you feel the criminal justice system in Cumbria is in bringing offenders to justice? % Very effective % Fairly effective % Not very effective % Not at all effective % Don’t know/ not stated Copeland Cumbria Allerdale Barrow Carlisle Eden South Lakeland Base: 2,133 Cumbria; 325 Copeland; 373 Allerdale; 314 Barrow; 362 Carlisle; 389 Eden; 370 South Lakeland residents

35. Part 4: Environment, Local Services and Transport

36. Environmental issues (1) Q How big a problem do you think the following environmental issues are in your local area? % Not a problem % A minor problem % A serious problem Dog fouling Rubbish and litter lying around Roads and footpaths in poor condition Vandalism, graffiti and other deliberate damage to property or vehicles Pavements blocked by parked cars Base: 325 Copeland residents. Note: the chart does not include don’t know or not stated

37. Environmental issues (2) Q How big a problem do you think the following environmental issues are in your local area? % Not a problem % A minor problem % A serious problem Neglected or derelict buildings or land Noise pollution The appearance or location of new developments Air quality and traffic pollution State of the local river/stream Base: 325 Copeland residents. Note: the chart does not include don’t know or not stated

38. Satisfaction with local services/ facilities (all residents) (1) Q How satisfied are you with the following services or facilities in your local area? ±% Net Copeland ±% Net Cumbria % Dissatisfied % Satisfied GPs 66 70 Libraries 69 66 Number of parks/green spaces 55 70 Quality of parks/green spaces 51 61 Hospitals 48 55 Appearance of streets etc 39 40 Local primary schools 57 52 Fire/rescue services 52 50 Suitable housing 18 -8 Opportunities for adult education 34 38 Base: 2,133 Cumbria; 325 Copeland residents. Note: the chart does not include don’t know or not stated

39. Satisfaction with local services/ facilities (all residents) (2) Q How satisfied are you with the following services or facilities in your local area? ±% Net Copeland ±% Net Cumbria % Dissatisfied % Satisfied Local secondary schools 37 40 Children’s playgrounds 21 31 Leisure facilities for adults 20 30 Local train services 15 29 Dentists -10 -4 Local bus services -5 24 Social services 28 24 Leisure facilities for young people -8 2 Public toilets -28 -13 Base: 2,133 Cumbria; 325 Copeland residents. Note: the chart does not include don’t know or not stated

40. Satisfaction with local services/ facilities among users (1) Q How satisfied are you with the following services or facilities in your local area? ±% Net Copeland ±% Net Cumbria % Dissatisfied % Satisfied Fire/rescue services (14)* 95 86 Libraries (199) 90 84 Social services (38)* 68 64 GPs (296) 68 73 Opps. for adult education (45) 68 68 Number of parks/green spaces (187) 66 80 Hospitals (225) 58 64 Quality of parks/green spaces (187) 55 72 Base: All users. Base sizes in brackets above. * Small base size

41. Satisfaction with local services/ facilities among users (2) Q How satisfied are you with the following services or facilities in your local area? ±% Net Copeland ±% Net Cumbria % Dissatisfied % Satisfied Leisure facs. for adults (99) 52 56 Playgrounds (118) 37 50 Train services (133) 26 50 Leisure facilities for young people (56) 15 26 Dentists (216) 8 11 Bus services (118) 6 34 Public toilets (119) -16 -5 Base: All users. Base sizes in brackets above. * Small base size

42. Forms of transport Q Please list your main form of transport for different journeys on a typical weekday: Public transport Car/motorbike Pedestrian/cyclist Copeland (176) Work Cumbria (1,178) Copeland (306) Shopping Cumbria (2,202) Copeland (280) Leisure Cumbria (1,861) Medical/ clinic Copeland (284) Cumbria (1,830) Base: All those who travel. Base sizes in brackets above.

43. Distances travelled Q Please list how many miles you travel for different journeys on a typical weekday: Under 3 miles 3-4 miles 5-8 miles More than 8 miles Work (174) Shopping (303) Leisure (250) Medical/clinic (253) Base: All those who stated how far they travel. Base sizes in brackets above.

44. Time travelled Q Please list how much time it takes you to travel for different journeys on a typical weekday: None >15 mins 15-29 mins 30-59 mins 1-2 hours <2 hours Work (244) Shopping (310) Leisure (269) Medical/clinic (281) Base: All those who stated how far they travel. Base sizes in brackets above.

45. Part 5: Health and Well-being

46. Happiness Q Taking all things together, would you say in general you are…? % Very happy % Happy % Neither/nor % Unhappy % Very unhappy Copeland Cumbria Allerdale Barrow Carlisle Eden South Lakeland Base: 2,133 Cumbria; 325 Copeland; 373 Allerdale; 314 Barrow; 362 Carlisle; 389 Eden; 370 South Lakeland residents

47. Health Q Over the last 12 months, would you say that on the whole your health has been… % Very good % Good % Fair % Bad % Very bad Copeland Cumbria Allerdale Barrow Carlisle Eden South Lakeland Base: 2,133 Cumbria; 325 Copeland; 373 Allerdale; 314 Barrow; 362 Carlisle; 389 Eden; 370 South Lakeland residents

48. Disability Q Do you have any long term illness, health problem or disability which limits your daily activities or the work you can do? Q Do you think of yourself as a disabled person? % No % Yes Copeland Long term illness, health problem or disability Cumbria Copeland Think of yourself as a disabled person Cumbria Base: 2,133 Cumbria residents; 325 Copeland residents

49. Smoking Q Do you smoke cigarettes at all nowadays? % ‘Yes’ Copeland Cumbria Allerdale Barrow Carlisle Eden South Lakeland Base: All who have ever smoked cigarettes, cigars or other tobacco products: 1,038 Cumbria; 148 Copeland; 179 Allerdale; 167 Barrow; 173 Carlisle; 205 Eden; 166 South Lakeland

50. Diet Q On a typical day, how many portions of fruit and vegetables do you eat? Less than 4 5+ Copeland Cumbria Allerdale Barrow Carlisle Eden South Lakeland Base: 2,133 Cumbria; 325 Copeland; 373 Allerdale; 314 Barrow; 362 Carlisle; 389 Eden; 370 South Lakeland residents