Maldon LSP

The rural district of Maldon covers an area of approximately 56 square miles in East Essex. The District has over 60 miles of coastline that includes the estuaries of the Rivers Blackwater and Crouch, but complex processes of erosion, reclamation and the creation of salt marsh have limited the development of settlement on the open coast of the District facing the North Sea. The main towns are Maldon and Burnham-on-Crouch.

In 2008, Maldon had a population of 63,100 people (representing 4.52% of the total population of Essex), making it the least populated of all the Essex districts.  Maldon already has a top-heavy population, with particular over-representation in the 55-64 years age group, and by 2029, the percentage of the population at pensionable age will be 27% of males and 37% of females. This will mean less than half of the population will be responsible for supporting the rest of society; clearly a situation that will be impossible if we are to maintain our current working patterns, living standards and system of state-benefits. 

In terms of deprivation Maldon has 3 LSOA areas in the 20% most deprived in Essex (roughly covering the wards of Maldon East, Maldon North and Heybridge West). However, the district has 3 LSOA areas in the 20% least deprived in Essex; roughly the wards of Burnham-on-Crouch North, Maldon South and Wickham Bishops and Woodham. 

For a comprehensive context a District profile for Maldon is available.  Issue specific contextual information is found under the relevant outcome headings later in this document.

Over the last 18 months the LSP has worked hard to raise awareness of its role and its work with stakeholders and the wider community, for example by addressing the Maldon District Business partnership and ensuring that the LSP events and its Strategy receive coverage in the Local Authority’s magazine (which is delivered to all households in the District) and stakeholders.

The Maldon District LSP holds at least two consultation events a year. The first of these which normally takes place in May is open to a growing number of stakeholder organisations including those from the statutory, private and community and voluntary sectors. And some groups, such as faith groups, who help us to contact the hard to reach communities within the District. The second event (in the autumn) loosely takes the form of an AGM and provides an opportunity for the LSP to report its achievements to a wider group of people as there is an open invitation to members of the public as well as the usual stakeholders. Both events are used as vehicles for consultation on the strategic issues facing the LSP such as the priorities it should adopt for its Sustainable Community Strategy. The LSP makes good use of the local Authority’s Citizen’s Panel and this was recently used to consult residents on the LDF Core strategy, a key delivery mechanism of the Sustainable Community Strategy.

In addition to this the LSP’s thematic sub groups consult the community formally and informally: the Community Safety Partnership’s October Partnership Conference, youth consultations and continuous monitoring of the issues raised through the neighbourhood Action panels (NAPs) and neighbourhood watch schemes. The LSP’s new website presents opportunities for community engagement through this medium.

In November 2009 public and partner organisations were invited to attend the Maldon District Local Strategic Partnership’s Reporting Back event to hear about the Partnership’s achievements and activities over the last 12 months.  This year for the first time, an Annual Report was launched at this event to tell people about the very real achievements of the Local Strategic Partnership and to outline some of the activities planned for the following year.

The event also gave people in the District an opportunity to have their say on the Local Transport Plan (LTP) consultation as part of a workshop.  The LTP sets out how the authority will address transport priorities to achieve a better quality of life for the people living and working in Essex. 

The workshops were run in all of the Districts in Essex to engage with people to seek views on what are the issues of concern to those that live and work in Essex and the relative priority between them.  The workshop at Maldon tried to:

• Draw out the vision of where we want to be or what we want to achieve in the future with our partners – the goals – and to prioritise between these goals.
• Identify the needs and issues facing all of the people who live and work in Essex – the challenges - and to prioritise between these challenges.
• And then identify and prioritise potential solutions which will help Maldon to address the challenges so that it can achieve its goals.

The Rural Community Council for Essex conducted the workshop, lasting about an hour, at the Maldon event on behalf of Essex County Council.

A Parish Plans Market Place event was held on the 14^th September 2009 at Wickham Bishops village hall.  Over 50 people from across the District and beyond gathered to hear about benefits of community led planning and to chat with organisations as diverse at Highways, the Police, NHS Mid Essex, the Maldon District Community Voluntary Service and Adult Community Learning.  Parish plans are produced by groups of local people who assess the needs and aspirations of their communities and draw up an action plan for delivering the sort of change and improvements that they would like to see happen in their local areas.  The event which had been organised by the Maldon District Local Strategic Partnership in partnership with Maldon District Council, the Rural Community Council for Essex and the Making the Links team, from Essex County Council aimed to promote Parish Plans and launch the Local Strategic Partnership’s parish plan leaflet  The event successfully brought together Parish Plans groups, Parish Councils and organisations that could help them to empower their communities and make a real difference to the people who live and work there.  The Maldon District Local Strategic Partnership is now looking at ways to improve the support they give to parish plans. 

The Partnership takes the view that all those who work or live in the District are stakeholders in the District’s LSP but nevertheless Maldon District Council pays particular attention to engaging with its key partners.

Since the launch of the Essex Strategy, the LSP has actively engaged with Parish Plans groups within the District, bringing then together with partners from across the sectors to discuss common and individual problems. We believe that parish plans can help to build more cohesive and active communities and directly engage people in influencing the development of their communities. The response from the parish plans groups and from stakeholder partners has been positive and we are planning a larger event for later in the year, along with other measures to encourage more parishes to consider developing plans and to closer and earlier engagement with the agencies that form the LSP.

Stakeholders have been consulted on a wide variety of issues this year including the priorities for the Sustainable Community Strategy, the Local Development Framework and health inequalities. As much as possible, the LSP prefers to hold consultation events in partnership with other partners in order to lessen consultation fatigue, share results and resources and build relationships and improve the links between the work undertaken. In addition to this there has been some very specific information sharing and stakeholder engagement around the Community Safety Partnership’s Annual Assessment and in connection with a research project concerning older people’s needs in the District.

The LSP has established links with the District council’s Overview and Scrutiny panel for the first time this year which will form the basis of an evolving and challenging relationship.

Amongst the local information available to help the LSP frame its priorities and targets are:

• The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment
• The CDRP’s Annual Assessment
• 2001 Census data (with updated mid year estimates)
• The Strategic Housing Market Assessment
• Index of Multiple Deprivation
• District Council Ward profiles
• Local Development Framework documents
• Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership “report card”
• Place Survey results
• District Profile - these have been commissioned for each of the Essex Districts to inform the Integrated County Strategy and are an independent assessment of local conditions.

The refreshed Sustainable Community Strategy is based on the above evidence and it has helped the LSP to set its priorities and pinpoint hotspots within the District. Further information such as the newly released results of the Place Survey will help to inform the development of the Strategy and sharpen the focus of its delivery.

The Sustainable Community Strategy was refreshed this year (launched May 2009): it clearly sets out the Vision and priorities for the District and dovetails with the District’ Council’s own priorities.

District councillors are involved on the LSP’s Steering Group and on the thematic groups. Under the LSP’s terms of reference the Leader of the Council is also the chairman of the LSP. The minutes of the LSP’s steering group are circulated to all District council members and the senior management team as well as members receive regular progress reports on the partnership’s work.

There has been a strong emphasis upon the development of the Local Development Framework this year with all that this implies as regards community leadership. An Action Plan for the regeneration of central Maldon, a project that will have huge implications for the whole of the district, is also being led by the Council as part of this process.

The ‘Home from Hospital’ scheme supports older people in their own homes who have been recently discharged from hospital.

In relation to circulatory diseases (heart diseases, strokes), female mortality rates are higher than the national average in Maldon and In relation to all forms of cancer, male mortality rates are above the national average.

Maldon not only has a projected 45% increase on over 65’s from 2005-2015 but already has a slightly above average proportion of older residents.  Consequently Maldon has amongst  the highest rates of social care users in Essex and also below average rate of carers known to social services.

Actions to reduce health inequalities include research to identify specific populations with high death rates from heart disease and cancer was due for completion by the end of June 2009. Interventions are now to be developed based on this work; LSP funded expansion of Home from Hospital scheme (RUSTIC) to support older people in their own homes who have not recently been discharged from hospital; PRG funded project to provide IT training for older people in order to break isolation; Work to identify health and wellbeing needs of BME communities underway prior to creation of an action plan.

Partners are individually undertaking activities but not necessarily sharing the information across the partnership. The LSP is therefore improving communication and cross-cutting activities.

In terms of obesity 5.8% (lowest in Essex) of reception age children are obese. 13%, 2^nd lowest in Essex of pupils in year 8.  Both of these rates are below the County average.

The District Council and NHS Mid Essex are working in partnership with local clubs etc. to offer activity variety of projects offered. Good links with local clubs to continue participation.  Young carers are also targeted to increase awareness of benefits/need for healthy eating and exercise.

A local scheme in Maldon “Action for family carers” funded by the Council has developed an innovative way of supporting carers new to the caring role. This employs a hospital link worker to provide support and advice for people who have become carers as result of a parent or spouse entering hospital.  To date they have supported 128 people. The advice and support ranges from emotional support as people take on what is often a new role in their relationship with the cared-for person, to very practical support around the person’s discharge from hospital including information and training to ensure the person can be cared for safely in their own homes.

Maldon’s estimated obesity rate of 25.1% is slightly above the Essex average.  The district needs to engage parents in certain projects (Bodycare) and target younger age groups (years 1-4).  A Family Bodycare project has been suggested.

In the last two years more than £1.5 million from Local Transport Plan funds has been spent on cycling infrastructure across Essex including improvements to the National Cycle Network in Maldon, Chelmsford and Harlow.

Maldon is significantly better than the England average for volunteering in sports activities (over 55’s).  Lottery funded activity has enabled participation to increase. There is strong partnership working with stakeholders and clubs to offer activities; strong ‘Get Active’ holiday programmes; coaching projects to increase the quality of the participant’s experience. Club development also helps improve the participant’s experience.  There is also good partnership with PCT regarding outdoor gyms, free swimming.

Transport to and from rural areas is however identified as a problem which needs to be addressed as is engaging with parents to encourage whole family engagement.

Maldon’s estimated smoking prevalence of 21.8% is slightly lower than the Essex average

Members of Health, Housing and Wellbeing Partnership Board of the LSP agreed to level 1 stop smoking training so can discuss stopping smoking with clients and refer to appropriate services

Maldon has low rates of Mental Health hospital admissions and 2^nd lowest rate of Mental Health benefit claimants in Essex.

From 1998-2005 teenage conceptions fell in Maldon from an already low baseline.  Rates are below the national and regional average.  The Teenage Pregnancy group has been established in connection with joint Health, Housing and Well Being Partnership Board and CYPSP Young Person’s health group.

Maldon has the 2^nd lowest Infant Mortality Rate in Essex (2.3%)

The percentage of children immunised by their 2nd birthday for MMR, by pre-Oct 2006 PCT boundaries, 2005-2006 was above the Essex average, however this was below both the national and East of England average.  Percentage of children who received 2 doses of the MMR vaccine by their 5th birthday, by pre-Oct 2006 PCT boundaries, 2005-2006 was however the second highest in the county and above national regional and local averages.

To increase the number of older people supported to live at home and support vulnerable people to achieve independent living a PRG funded project to provide mediation to vulnerable young people to prevent homelessness and enable them to live independently has been developed additionally LSP funded Home from Hospital scheme (RUSTIC) supports older people in their own homes (not just those recently discharged from hospital).

In supporting carers the LSP secured funding from the ECC Prevention Agenda Funding for a hospital link worker to work with carers. The post was filled in January and cares are already being supported and put in touch with help and support. The project is already expected to exceed targets (100 carers receiving intensive support and 50 signposted to further support services) (Contact: Claire Beattie at Claire.maldoncarers@tiscali.co.uk);  PRG funding was secured to fund the above project until March 2011.

Maldon has 2^nd highest rate of unpaid carers in Essex (135.5 per 1,000 pop.) and low number of carers registered with social services and accessing voluntary sector services.  The LSP has funded a Hidden Carers project to raise awareness of carers and set up a referral scheme from GP surgeries to carer support services. Four surgeries are on board already.

Maldon has slightly above Essex average level of homelessness - 4.04 per 1,000).  Maldon and Chelmsford LSPs are therefore supporting the development of mediation support to families with vulnerable young people to help them resolve problems that may result in homelessness, this has been supported with the use of PRG funding.

Maldon is the only Essex district where boys outperform girls inn terms of the percentage achieving 5 or more A-C GCSEs.

In 2006, 59% of Essex pupils gained 5+ A*-C grade GCSEs (or equivalent). Although this is just below the England average of 59.2%, half of Essex areas show attainment levels the same or higher than the England average. However, there is wide variation between areas with nearly 80% of pupils in Rochford gaining 5+ higher grade GCSEs compared to only 40% in Maldon.  The more recent figures have improved. For comment from the schools contact David Stephenson the Chair of the Local Delivery Group and the head teacher of the Plume School [D.Stephenson@plume.essex.sch.uk]

In 2005 the number of 16-18 year old NEETS was on a par with the national average.  A total of 22 secondary schools in Basildon, Colchester, Braintree, Harlow, Tendring and Maldon have been selected for specialist input around NEET (over 4,000 students representing some of the hardest to engage in terms of progression). In 2006, 12.8% of Y11 leavers from these schools did not progress into education, employment or training.  In 2007/08 the percentage of NEETs for Maldon had fallen to 7%.  The Partnership has also applied for planning permission and funding to build a Hub for a Vocational Training centre in the District to further increase the opportunities for vocational training for this age group.  The District has also received PRG funding for a Maritime Skills centre that will also attract some people from this age group.

Only 21% of working-age adults in Essex have a level 4 qualification or above (England 27%) and 17% have no qualifications (England 14%). Parts of Essex suffer from an even greater skills deficit; in Maldon 33% of the working population have no qualifications and only 12.5% have a degree or higher qualification (compared to over 25% nationally and regionally).

An Economic Development Strategy For Maldon is in development.

In terms of availability of affordable homes 52 affordable units expected to be completed by the end of 08/09, exceeding the target of 31.  A Housing Strategy is in development, and consultation took part as part of a May 09 LSP stakeholder event.

A Rural Housing Task Force has been established to look specifically at affordable rural housing in the District; involving key partners including the LSP, parish councils and RSLS with an emphasis on sustainability for rural communities.  The LSP is also building its links with existing housing groups.

Although Essex has a relatively low carbon footprint significant differences exist across Essex. Maldon has the smallest, emitting less than a quarter of the level in Thurrock.  An LSP working group has been established to consider how to respond to issues surrounding our natural and built heritage. This may include how to improve further in this area.

To improve public and community transport there has been funding for new minibus for the Dengie Area from the parish project fund.  The LSP also influences public transport contracts to ensure services are provided in rural areas.  A new community transport provider has also widened coverage and uptake – particularly in rurally isolated areas.

Targeting publicity to those hard to reach groups about services is difficult.  A new Accessibility Working Group has therefore formed as part of LSP to find solutions to some of the problems associated with poor access to services. The Place Shaping Sub group which deals with infrastructure will also be considering alternative and shared site service delivery.

Maldon has the lowest percentage of unacceptable levels of litter and detritus (BV 199 2005-6) of all Essex Districts

Maldon District Council secured through refuse and recycling contractor an additional recycling officer to target areas of low performance.  The kerbside garden waste recycling service and roadside recycling service has been expanded.

Managing expectations of availability of recycling services is an issue.  Reinforcing the recycling message in everyday life outside the home is also an issue, for example street litter.

With regard to managing the risk from flooding and costal erosion part of the SMP process in Essex means a Strategic Flood risk assessment has been completed.  The LDF and LSP have a working group looking at these issues, however there is still an amount of silo working between the Government, Defra, LAs and EA etc. in relation to ICZM integrated coastal zone management a new LSP working group may help to bridge some of these gaps.  There is also a huge funding gap for defence work.

The Killed and Seriously Injured (KSI) rate 2003-2005 was the third highest of all districts in Essex and above the national and regional averages. However, the KSI for 07/08 7.3446 represents a massive reduction and this is no longer a priority for the District although it will continue to be monitored. Maldon ended the 4^th quarter of 08/09 with 37 whereas the target was 39. The figures now represent the 3^rd lowest figures in the County. The introduction of the Casualty Reduction Board with greater focus across the County and more initiatives including improved enhanced Pass Plus for young drivers has helped to deliver this improvement.

The LSP part funded the tier 1 alcohol misuse prevention work in 08/09 which addressed substance misuse particularly by young people.  Anecdotal evidence of reduction in underage drinking was gathered from PCSOs and Diversionary activities and awareness raising activities were organised by the community safety partnership and the Youth Participation and Development Officer.

The prevalence of drug misuse in Essex is highest in Southend, Harlow and Maldon, and alcohol specific hospital admission rate for females 110.01 is the 3^rd highest rate in Essex.  Maldon is estimated to have the 2^nd highest level of drug misuse in Essex, with nearly 0.8% of Maldon residents misusing drugs. And a high rate of users in treatment.  Drugs and alcohol are therefore now treated separately in two groups within CDRP and Further funding being sought for an alcohol misuse worker.

Maldon on 2006-7 had the fourth lowest rate of violent crime per 1000 in Essex significantly below the county average.

In terms of Domestic Violence in Essex support is given to perpetrator intervention after conviction and there has been involvement in the MARAC programme.  The Community Safety Partnership has a specific focus on this with a specific sub group being formed.  A Community Initiatives Officer is researching hotspots as a preliminary to developing an action plan.

Bogus callers/people leaving property unsecured are identified as issues by the Community Safety Partnership and being addressed through ongoing initiatives and awareness raising campaigns.

The Partnership has strong links with CARA and Women’s Aid to support victims of serious sexual offences.

There are a large number of initiatives including Stay Safe- Stay cool, Kool 2b Kind award system, anti-bullying week drama in all primary schools, Crucial Crew and a cultural event have been launched to reduce children and young people experiencing crime or bullying.

Maldon had the third lowest level in the county of crime attributed to alcohol misuse (2005-6) c.4 per 1000.  Initiatives to support this include the BOB Scheme (Behave well or be banned); Maldon District Council is proactive around underage drinking and is continuing this year. There has been a successful bid from the Home Office for an alcohol worker and ECC operating youth diversionary activities and hotspots.  Diversionary activities for young people are delivered through the Community Safety Partnership including Hooked Up (Fishing club scheme), Graffiti Club, Fit, Funky Friday, Firebreak, Horsebreak  and intergenerational projects have also helped (Contact Julia.Mackenzie@Maldon.gov.uk).

Maldon DC is introducing a new mediation service to work with families and young people (including vulnerable groups) where anti-social behaviour is a problem.  PRG funding will provide for a further 2 Firebreak course for young people in the District in 2008/09.  The funding will also provide covert recording equipment and will fund diversionary activities and awareness raising activities organised by Community Safety Partnership and LSP funded Youth Participation and Development officer

Maldon has the 2nd lowest fear of crime score in Essex (combined tracker data set) and the lowest percentage of recorded crime.

Improved communications help to reduce the level of fear of crime with active promotion of good crime statistics including the use of the Community Safety Partnership website and community awareness workshops this year and last year run by volunteers; improved media relationships and mobile CCTV part funded through PRG money.

However, preliminary Place Survey data seems to contradict this picture. Police focus was on performance rather than community engagement, this in now changing this year; there is also a need to increase confidence in police stats.

Work with transport police on the Burnham rail line is helping to reduce crime on public transport

There is little identified racial crime within the District but there is a belief that there is hidden racial crime and under the Prevent Strategy there is more working with emerging and BME communities.

In terms of Improved access for residents to education, health and leisure facilities local jobs and community facilities there is funding for new minibus for the Dengie Area from the parish project fund; influence being placed on public transport contracts to ensure services are provided in rural areas and a new community transport provider has widened coverage and uptake.

Maldon is one of the most deprived districts in terms of access to services.  A new Accessibility Working Group has been formed as part of the LSP to find solutions to some of the problems associated with poor access to services. The Place Shaping Sub group which deals with infrastructure will also be considering alternative and shared site service delivery.

As part of their learning programme, students from Essex County Council’s Children Support Service are working with the Youth Participation and Development Officer for Maldon District Council and school chefs to help the local community.  They will be working especially with the elderly, to make bread, biscuits and scones on a weekly basis and then deliver the products by hand to the community.  People who find it hard to get out of their homes will find this service very encouraging but it is also aimed at any elderly people in the local area who would like to put an order in.  The Fire service will also be accompanying the delivery and offering a free smoke alarm check for that added piece of mind.Formal participation in voluntary clubs and groups is assisted by LSP financial support for the Vinvolved youth volunteering project. 100 young people expected to have been placed on volunteering projects by Oct. 09. PRG funded activity is also being used to find a new voluntary sector building for the District.

Promoting participation in arts and cultural activity has included the 2^ndMaldon Arts festival 2009 forming part of a raft of activities within the District which include Southminster Opera, Latchington Amateur Dramatic Society, MAC theatre group, Burnham music festival, heritage winter talks, the  Mud race, Fireworks display and Victorian evenings which are delivered through partnership.

Community Grants support a variety of cultural activities including carnivals, heritage open day, regattas, Maldon Art trail. Tillingham Arts festival.  the Plume Performing Arts School.

Cultural facilities are, however an issue for Maldon.  It is an outcome difficult to measure except by numbers attending but contributes to community cohesion and the vibrancy of communities also to economic vitality. A trust has been formed with the intention of applying for funding for an arts centre for Maldon (included in the LDF).  Partnership involvement in this could make a more coherent approach and make bidding for funding easier.

There is a need to improve static play facilities in some rural parishes or enable them to tap into funding.

In terms of town centre regeneration an area action plan is part of the LDF for Maldon. This includes retention of local post office facility and attraction of Marks and Spencers.  There has also been an increase in Business Rate relief in the town, working with the Federation of Small Businesses.  Greater eetailer engagement is, however, needed.