Weather
Short life spans, crime and community cohesion highlighted in East Lancashire study (From Lancashire Telegraph)
When news happens, text LT and your photos and videos to 80360. Or contact us by email or phone.
REGISTER NOW TO POST YOUR COMMENTS ON THESE STORIES
It's free and only takes a few seconds. Click here to go to the registration page.
Short life spans, crime and community cohesion highlighted in East Lancashire study
10:00pm Tuesday 8th December 2009
-
- By Tom Moseley » Local government reporter
A WORRYINGLY low life expectancy in poor areas, the diffic-ulties of bringing white and Asian communities together and cutting crime are key features of a study into life in East Lancashire, released today.
Inspectors have compiled a wealth of information about the performance of public services, including Blackburn with Darwen and Lancashire councils, police, health and fire bosses.
In Blackburn and Darwen, the Audit Commission said it had “significant concerns” that people were dying from serious illnesses at a younger age than in other areas.
It said life expectancy in the borough was “well below” the national average – by three years for men, two for women – and was not narrowing.
People living in the most deprived areas were dying on average nine years before more affluent parts.
According to the report, “few people” in the borough take exercise, although this is improving.
It praised the council’s Refresh initiative, which gives free access to leisure facilities, but said more work was needed.
And on the issue of community cohesion, brought to light by a high-profile review into relations in the borough, which said it was among the most divided parts of the country, the inspectors said: “In Blackburn with Darwen white communities and Asian heritage communities lead very separate lives.”
They said the authorities had built up good contacts and had the trust of the community on issues like anti-terrorism and extremism.
Tom Keena, a spokesman for the inspectors, said the borough’s neighbourhoods were cleaner, regeneration was improving the town centres, and crime was falling.
In a separate rating, Blackburn with Darwen council scored of three out of four for service provision and budget management.
In the rest of Lancashire County and Hyndburn Borough councils had the same score, while Ribble Valley was awarded a two.
In Lancashire, not including Blackburn with Darwen, “high death rates in deprived areas” were singled out as a concern, while it was given an “excellent” score for care of the elderly.
More Ribble Valley stories
Your Say YourTelegraph
Jimpster, Blackburn says...
11:41pm Tue 8 Dec 09
Joseph Yossarian, London says...
9:43am Wed 9 Dec 09
phil mccracken, Darwen says...
9:51am Wed 9 Dec 09
Jimpster wrote:Oh yes leave it to the man in the street as they pay a lot of attention to what is going on and don't rely on gossip and rumour don't they! This report shows that despite what a lot of people with political motives say Blackburn Council does a decent job in a very difficult area wheras there are councils that on face value seem to be doing a good job yet when you look at the wealth of their area you see that the job is a much easier one. In terms of health it shouldn't be the council's job to tackle that as you have to ask yourself what on earth the PCT or hospital are doing other than appoint overpaid managers to shuffle chairs in their boardroom.
They spend hundreds of thousands asking the opinions of so called educated asshats, when to just pop outside and ask the man or woman in the street would be a **** site cheaper and the answers would actually reflect local issues.
Richard_Nelson, Nelson says...
1:31pm Wed 9 Dec 09
bossindian, Darwen says...
6:49pm Wed 9 Dec 09
It praised the council’s Refresh initiative, which gives free access to leisure facilities, but said more work was needed."
Interesting choice of photo - Darwen Leisure Centre - the 'free leisure' that is being sold to Darwen Residents for £20 a month. Guess the 'Refresh' members will be forced into the Portakabins at Darwen Vale!!
darrener666, Darwen says...
10:59am Thu 10 Dec 09
phil mccracken wrote:Tackling health inequalities involves more than health services, many of the factors which affect health are social and economic. One reason for the proposed Care Trust Plus to replace Blackburn with Darwen NHS is so that a more integrated approach to tackling health inequalities can take place.
Jimpster wrote: They spend hundreds of thousands asking the opinions of so called educated asshats, when to just pop outside and ask the man or woman in the street would be a **** site cheaper and the answers would actually reflect local issues.Oh yes leave it to the man in the street as they pay a lot of attention to what is going on and don't rely on gossip and rumour don't they! This report shows that despite what a lot of people with political motives say Blackburn Council does a decent job in a very difficult area wheras there are councils that on face value seem to be doing a good job yet when you look at the wealth of their area you see that the job is a much easier one. In terms of health it shouldn't be the council's job to tackle that as you have to ask yourself what on earth the PCT or hospital are doing other than appoint overpaid managers to shuffle chairs in their boardroom.
GUIDED TOUR: LSP chairman Mike Murray, second right, with, from left, Darwen residents Bill and Vanessa Moore, George Ardis, seven, Julian Pickford at the new Darwen Leisure Centre – part of the Refresh project aimed at boosting healthier lifestyles
Local advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
happycyclist, Darwen says...
11:13pm Tue 8 Dec 09
Pond Life.