A Profile  of Kinsley & Fitzwilliam Pilot Area

This profile presents a broad overview relating to the Fitzwilliam & Kinsley area (see separate map).  More detailed information is available by contacting the Neighbourhood Management Team directly.

Key Issues for the Area 

The Neighbourhood Management home-page outlines the broad aims and objectives for the team in Kinsley & Fitzwilliam.  The following information sets out the underlying rationale for bringing the pilot here.

In general terms the community suffers from major social and economic and exclusion problems linked mainly to the demise of the coal mining industry in the area.  Whilst a number of regeneration initiatives have helped to improve the villages, there is still a great deal to be done to address the problems facing the local community.

• Area has very high levels of child poverty
• 35% of households with children under 16 have a household income of less than £17,000 p.a.
• There is low educational attainment with large numbers of young people leaving education at 16 without going on to training or a job
• The area has a significantly higher than average crime rates with particular problems around criminal damage and violent crime
  • Damage to vehicles from April - September 2006 accounted for 32% of offences
  • Damage to properties accounted for 46% of offences in the same period
  • The estimated cost of these offences was in excess of £200,000 during this period
•  Approximately 30% of people in this area have a limiting long-term illness
• 36.7% of working age residents are not in work at present.

By having a dedicated team based in the area, working closely with local residents - and funds to help address a range of quick wins and longer term improvements, the team hope to narrow the gap between some of the more pressing indicators of deprivation and the district average.

Work ahead for the Neighbourhood Management Team:

Neighbourhood Management is based on doing things with the community and not to them.  One of the first things the team need to do is to work with residents to identify priorities and the local challenges to be addressed.  The idea will then be to develop a local strategy to secure practical and visible improvements to the area.

Importantly though, one of the longer term goals for the team will be to work with the community and local residents to develop a sense of place by;

• Creating opportunities for information sharing such as a local newsletter
• Holding neighbourhood events using a range of public spaces and venues
• Developing mechanisms that make it easy to report issues, problems and concerns
• Developing a neighbourhood "hub" that brings together public services within an accessible community space, such as the Community Resource Centre

Contact The Team:

If you would like to find out more about Neighbourhood Management or be more actively involved please get in touch with Elaine Edwards, Neighbourhood Manager

The Team is based at:

Unit 2, Kinsley & Fitzwilliam Community Resource Centre, Wakefield Road, Kinsley, WF9 5BP

Tel: 01977 722388 / 722389 / 722395

Email: engagement@Wakefield.gov.uk