When the Community Plan was originally launched it used research and feedback from the whole community as well as the 900 strong Wigan Citizens’ Panel to identify the real issues facing the Borough. Not surprisingly, many of these issues require long-term thinking, and are still very much ‘work in progress’ that will remain at the heart of the Community Plan for years to come.
These are just a few examples of the action that has taken place to address these issues:
Standard of Living
Wages across the Borough are below the regional average. Unemployment has been higher, but now reducing. Both of these are a legacy of our industrial past. It is vital to increase average income and raise living standards, primarily by raising the skill levels of the workforce.
So far partnerships have been established between local businesses, schools and colleges to ensure that the skills people learn are those needed by today’s employers.
For example Wigan and Leigh College is developing a new Construction Centre to train local people in technical and vocational skills such as plumbing and construction.
Education & Aspirations
Young people are the community of tomorrow and must be encouraged to have high aspirations and a desire to achieve at school . This goes hand-in-hand with the need for schools to raise their own standards of performance.
So far there has been considerable progress, particularly from those schools identified as ‘under–performing’.
For example Kingsdown High School has made dramatic improvements. Over 35% of students now achieve more than 5 GCSEs at A*–C compared with 7% in 1999.
Local Economy
A strong, modern local economy is critical to the long term success of the Borough. The decline of traditional industries has caused the loss of many major employers over recent years, but the emphasis must be on attracting new ones to replace them.
So far there have been welcome improvements in support services for local businesses. Several major new employers have been invested in the Borough, and unemployment levels have fallen to below the regional average.
For example the Centre for Trade and Technology Transfer (soon to be expanded) has attracted non-traditional , hi-tech businesses. Developments such as Stonecross Park and Martland Park have attracted employers in the food and distribution sectors.
Health Provision
There is a legacy of poor health in the Borough, and equal access to services is a cause for concern.Improving the quality of health services is a priority, but people need to be encouraged to make lifestyle changes for themselves too.
So far there has been major investment in new facilities for Wrightington ,Wigan and Leigh Health Trust and Wigan Acute and Primary Care Trust as well as a focus on ‘Getting Wigan Active’ from the Leisure and Culture Trust. Although at a slower rate than elsewhere in the country, life expectancy is steadily improving.
Crime
Crime and safety top the list of concerns, seriously affecting quality of life in the Borough. The Community Safety Partnership (now over 10 years old) has worked to deliver major improvements through a wide variety of schemes.
So far overall crime has reduced by 11% from June 2001 - June 2004. However, fear of crime remains high at 36%, so there is still much to be done.
Community Cohesion
The Borough’s communities have been enriched over recent years by people from different backgrounds and cultures, including asylumseekers and refugees. Concerns have been raised about the activities of racist and extremist political groups.
So far there has been a real commitment to helping new residents settle into the community, and a strong stand taken against discrimination in all its forms.
For example Wigan and Leigh United Against Racism has introduced training programmes for local people which improve understanding between people from different cultures.
Transport
Although the Borough is well connected to the rest of the country through motorway and rail links, getting around within it can be a problem due to traffic congestion.
So far there have been improvements to public transport with better information and easier access. Quality bus corridors, for example Wigan - Chorley and Leigh-Bolton, have been completed and there are further schemes in development. But congestion is still major concern and there is a lack of available funding for road improvements.
Environment
Everyone agrees that they want to live in a clean, healthy environment, and that the Council should set a good example and encourage civic pride. In surveys, 51% said improved cleanliness would make their area more attractive. 61% wanted doorstep collection of recyclable materials.
So far new anti-litter enforcement campaigns have issued over 1000 fixed penalty tickets to offenders. Over 200 Brighter Borough schemes have been supported. A doorstep collection scheme was established in 2003.
