| South West Observatory | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | SWO |
| Formation | 2002 |
| Legal status | Regional Data and Intelligence Resource - Core Unit Company Ltd by Guarantee |
| Purpose/focus | To provide data and analysis for decision makers |
| Location | Taunton, Somerset, UK |
| Region served | South West (England) |
| Chairperson | Prof Martin Boddy (University of the West of England) |
| Managing Director | Vinita Nawathe |
| Affiliations | South West RDA, Government Office for the South West, Office for National Statistics (ONS), Association for Regional Observatories (ARO) |
| Website | South West Observatory Website |
The South West Observatory (SWO) is a regional resource for the South West of England, originally established by the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA)[1], Government Office for the South West[2] and the former South West Regional Assembly (now South West Councils[3]) as a partnership for use by policy-makers to aide and improve evidence-based decision-making. The South West Observatory is one of seven Regional Observatories operating in the English regions. Not all Observatories operate in the same way and are at different stages of development [4].[5]
Contents |
The South West Observatory is a network of analysts working together at the regional and sub-regional levels to provide timely and accurate information about the region. The South West Observatory network comprises Thematic Modules which cover various cross-cutting policy themes and Local Intelligence Networks (LINs) which focus on specific geographies. The South West Observatory's structure differs from that of other Regional Observatories. At the centre of the South West Observatory is a Core Unit which coordinates and facilitates network activity. This is based in Taunton, Somerset. The South West Observatory works with a broad range of regional and national partners on many issues.
Modules - There are currently six modules working within the South West Observatory. The Modules cover Economy, Environment, Planning Planning, Public Health, Skills and Learning / Marchmont Observatory and [http://culture.swo.org.uk Culture. The structure of the individual modules differs between each, as does their sources of funding.
Local Intelligence Networks - There are currently nine Local Intelligence Networks (LINs) involved in South West Observatory activities. They are based within the local authorities covering Cornwall, Plymouth, Devon, Torbay, Dorset, Somerset, West of England (Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset), Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.[6]
The South West Observatory also works within a wider network of regional agencies, government departments and academics. This includes the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Regional Presence.
Every year the South West Observatory produces a 'State of the South West' report. Published online annually and as a hard copy every three years, this report details the facts and figures behind life in the South West and is compiled of contributions from contributions from the Government Office for the South West, the South West Regional Development Agency, the South West Learning and Skills Module, South West Councils, the Environment Agency, the South West Public Health Observatory, the Home Office South West and the South West Culture Module. The report has been given a light-touch review by academics in the region for the first time this year. It is supplemented with information from the South West Observatory Local Intelligence Networks.
The most recent State of the South West 2010 was launched in Bath on Wednesday 31 March 2010 to coincide with the South West Observatory Annual Conference. This highlighted that despite regional difference, masking pockets of deprivation [7], the region generally performs well in terms of its prosperity [8].
Key Statistics
- Although the region has a relatively low population, its population is growing at a faster rate than anywhere else in the country. The number of households in the South West is projected to show further significant increases, in particular among one-person households and households made up of people over 65.[9]
- In terms of employment, 2.5 million people (81.9%) in the region are classified as ‘economically active’ – the second highest percentage in the country after the South East.[10]
- Whilst the UK economy appears to have returned to growth for the first quarter of 2009, the report underlines that the recovery is expected to be constrained by financial pressures, including unemployment and fiscal tightening, impacting on all areas of life. The South West’s Index of Sustainable Economic Wellbeing (ISEW), which looks at a broader measure of performance than GVA/GDP, was higher than any other region.[11]
- The demand for housing in the region has increased faster than the national average, which has placed significant pressure on local authorities. Key issues relating to housing continue to be high rates of second ownership and affordability. 35,360 affordable dwellings were provided between 2001/02 – 2009/09.[12]
- Referred to as ‘the healthiest region in England’, the South West has a higher-than-average life expectancy (83 years for women; 79 years for men) and lower-than-average mortality rates from major causes.[13]
- In the environment, the annual daily mean temperature in the region has increased by 1.4 degrees Celsius between 1961 and 2006. The Environment Chapter within the report also points out that 218,000 properties are at risk of flooding in the region.[14]
- On crime, the South West is one of the safest regions in the country in terms of crime and perceived levels of anti-social behaviour, although there is significant variation across and within the region. Similarly, in comparison to other regions, the South West has relatively low levels of deprivation, strong communities and high civic participation, although this masks pockets of severe deprivation in particular areas, as well as entrenched levels of unemployment and poor access to services – particularly in the most rural areas.[15]
- Due to its location, the South West continues to be a travel intensive region, with the average person travelling 10% in excess of the national average. Rail patronage has increased by three-quarters since 1995/96, whilst levels of walking and cycling are above the national average. Of particular note, air travel from the region continues to grow at a rate much faster than average.[16]
- Outside of London and the South East, the South West is the most popular tourist destination and despite recession and the spread of swine flu (both expected to hamper visitor numbers) 2009 recorded 20% more tourists to the region. Culturally, the region benefits from thriving creative industries which have helped employment within the sector rise from 262,900 in 2003 to 274,000 in 2007.[17]