South West Observatory Annual Report 2010/11

1. ANNUAL REPORT 2010/11
Better information, better understanding, better decisions

2. contents Contents
01 Foreword 18 Economy 30 The Year Ahead
02 Director’s Report 19 Environment 31 Coming Up 2011/12
04 Observatory Network 20 Housing and Planning 32 Financial Support
06 Events 21 Public Health 33 Contact Details
08 Annual Conference 22 Skills and Learning
10 Publications and Briefings 23 Culture
11 Local Profiles 24 Local Intelligence Networks
Cornwall
12 Consultations Devon
Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole
13 Commissions Gloucestershire
Plymouth
14 Local Economic Development Somerset
Swindon
16 Communications Torbay
West of England
Wiltshire

3. foreword
This year’s Annual Conference, held I would like to thank all who have
in the impressive new conference contributed so much to the success
facilities at Somerset County of the Observatory across the region,
Cricket Club’s Taunton headquarters, ensuring that policy and decision-
focused on the crucial importance making have been fully informed by
of evidence to policy and decision- the best available information and
making - and the tendency at times analysis. The need for this is essential
for politicians and other decision in the challenging times ahead.
makers to see evidence as an
‘inconvenient truth’. The scope and
ease of access to information has
increased dramatically since we
first heard talk of ‘evidence-based
policy-making’ and the Observatory Professor Martin Boddy
and its partners have done much University of the West of England
to enhance this across the region. and Chair of the SWO Advisory Board
I am delighted to introduce the The aim must be to ensure that, in
2010/11 Annual Report of the difficult times, we take full account
South West Observatory. This of the evidence and what it tells us.
report describes the vast range of
activities that the Observatory and As resources are squeezed and
our partners have been involved in as familiar structures of regional
over the last year. You will find that in governance and policy making
changing and challenging times, the disappear, the need for accessing,
Observatory’s Core Unit, Thematic sharing and using evidence
Modules and Local Intelligence for policy becomes ever more
Networks have worked together as important. Like much else, the
an invaluable resource for the region. future for the Observatory and its
partners, plus the real and virtual
Our overarching aim remains the networks that have been built
delivery of relevant and timely up, remains uncertain. Despite
evidence to inform the development everything, as the pages that follow
and delivery of policy across the demonstrate, the Observatory
South West. As spending cuts network has continued to innovate
and the restructuring of public and to develop and has never
services start to bite across the been more active. It represents a
region, it is more important than remarkably efficient and effective
ever that change is based on sound infrastructure and resource for the
information and analysis. region as a whole.
01

4. director’s report
understanding of the region and partners as well as external speakers.
its parts was a good starting point
for whatever came next. The SWO The shake up of the public sector
network was there to help in that since the change of government has
endeavour. affected each part of the Observatory
network. The regional bodies that set
SWO Core Unit continued to support up SWO have all been abolished and
upper tier local authorities in their many other partners have undergone
duty to deliver Local Economic funding, remit and structural changes.
Assessments (LEAs) through its Where it has been possible, SWO
RIEP-funded project and dedicated Core Unit has attempted to plug
co-ordinator. Unlike in some other gaps in intelligence, signposting and
parts of the country, all South West networking left by others.
upper tier local authorities had
done a lot of work on their LEAs The Core Unit took over co-ordinating
by the time the new government the Regional Intelligence Group
removed guidance on content and from October 2010 and has worked
timescale (while retaining the duty). with the Housing and Communities
All the South West authorities have Agency (HCA) to produce Indices of
now consulted on and finalised Multiple Deprivation profiles - both
comprehensive Local Economic of which were previously done by
Assessments. The degree of the Government Office Intelligence
consistency in the use of jointly Team. The Core Unit has worked with
procured tools, commonly agreed the HCA to continue facilitating the
This reporting period has been indicators and other research made Strategic Information Providers Group,
defined by change and uncertainty. available to all means that South and to redevelop the Planning Module
April 2010 was a time of anticipation West LEAs can be understood in as a Housing and Planning Module.
ahead of the May General Election relation to each other and will be The Module website is now up and
that would determine the new policy useful in underpinning cross-local running, and there are plans for a
and structural framework for the authority priorities and decisions. launch event in the autumn.
public sector. Speculation that there
would be a change of government SWO continued to expand its The disbanding of RDAs by the end of
meant that for some time there programme of events in 2010/11. March 2012 has affected a number of
had been little appetite to work on More information about the well Observatory network members. From
aspects of a regional strategy that attended technical workshops for March 2011, the South West RDA’s
might have no longevity. However the practitioners, policy seminars, financial contribution to the Local
boards of the South West Strategic training sessions and conference can Intelligence Networks (LINs) stopped.
Leaders and the South West Regional be found within this report. These The Skills and Learning Module (SLIM)
Development Agency (RDA) did collectively drew on the expertise and the Core Unit continue to be
agree that a shared, evidence-based and hospitality of SWO network funded for Observatory activity during
02

5. director’s report
2011/12. The Economy Module of Research Observatories has avoiding duplication and facilitating
continues to be provided by the RDA asked SWO, with its central social collaboration. Good networks
Economic Intelligence team, while enterprise model, to develop a are built on reciprocity, and SWO
there are still staff available. national network of researchers encourages you to use and contribute
and analysts with local knowledge. to ours.
Many Local Authorities and other Meanwhile SWO has taken on the
Observatory partners have been role of regional co-ordinator for
restructuring and refocusing the Local Authority Research and
resources which has affected some Intelligence Association (LARIA).
intelligence functions. The Core Unit There is a synergy in these
continues to remain in dialogue with developments that will be explored
Local Intelligence Network contacts over the next year. Vinita Nawathe
as well as the providers of the Public Managing Director
Health, Culture and Environment While evidence-based policy is
Modules as their remits and aims for not as clear an objective of this
continued sub-national intelligence government as the last, initiatives
networking become clearer. The like open data, localism and open
Core Unit is also forging links with public services present many
the emerging Local Enterprise opportunities for professional
Partnerships as their boards develop analysts and researchers to build
and outline their longer term local pictures, give weight to
intelligence needs. arguments, support prioritisation
and evaluate outcomes. This Annual
There is still a period of uncertainty Report highlights once again the
as the local expression of national breadth of analytical expertise
policy drivers becomes clearer. across the Observatory network.
We are in a transition phase as the SWO is well placed to make use of
removal of regional bodies has led those opportunities.
individual national departments
and agencies to start replacing or At a time when social media
rehosting lost functions piecemeal and communities of practice are
- often using newly contrived (and developing as useful tools for
inconsistent) geographies. SWO is virtual information-sharing and peer
engaging with and offering support support, SWO demonstrates an
to all of these, and is talking to Local established professional network
Authorities outside the South West based on real relationships between
about objectives in common. people and organisations. The SWO
network was set up to support and
As the Regional Observatories based enhance the work of its members
in RDAs disappear, the Association through sharing best practice,
03

6. observatory network
The South West Observatory (SWO)
Inform Gloucestershire
encourages evidence-based policy
making at all levels by drawing together SINE
research, resources and analysis from Somerset Intelligence Network Intelligence West
its network of local and thematic experts Environment
across South West England. By doing this
we build a comprehensive understanding
of the issues affecting people living and Economy Housing and
working here, look at where issues in Planning
one area impact on others elsewhere,
and underline some of the key challenges
faced by policy makers. Plymouth Analysts’ Network Wiltshire Intelligence Network
InDevon Intelligence Network Devon
Core Unit Swindon Local Intelligence Network
SWO is a jointly-owned intelligence
resource made up, principally, of
Thematic Modules, providing expertise
Skills and
on the Economy, the Environment, Learning Culture
Housing and Planning, Skills and
Learning, Public Health and Culture;
and Local Intelligence Networks (LINs), Public Health
which span the South West and provide
a detailed local understanding about a Cornwall Local Intelligence Network Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole
Local Intelligence Network
range of policy issues. i-bay Torbay Intelligence Network
To date, Modules and LINs have been The Core Unit organises regular events we achieve efficiencies by doing once for
provided and co-ordinated by the and training for network members, co- all, joint working or joint commissioning.
intelligence teams of public bodies ordinates the SWO websites and leads
in the South West. These include on network publications and consultation SWO is part of a network of intelligence
the South West RDA, Environment responses. networks that extends to Universities
Agency, Marchmont Observatory at South West, all South West Higher
Exeter University, the South West Through our networked helpdesk and Education Institutions (HEIs), the national
Public Health Observatory, Homes linked websites, access to one part of the Association of Research Observatories
and Communities Agency, South West SWO network gives access to a bank of (also co-ordinated by the Core Unit in
Cultural Executive Board and upper tier experts and a range of resources. Through Taunton), the Local Authorities Research
Local Authorities. At the centre of the our website and other communications and Intelligence Association (LARIA)
South West Observatory is its Core Unit, channels, we publicise the work and and the British Urban and Regional
a social enterprise (company limited by activities of all members in order to Information Systems Association
guarantee), which develops and co- share expertise, good practice and (BURISA). It also draws in the wider
ordinates the network to support and understanding about a range of topics. membership of the Regional Intelligence
enhance the work of all SWO members. And through collaborating as a network, Group in the South West.
04

7. observatory network
Regional Intelligence Group and content of the following RIG, and any UK Commission for Employment and Skills
At the end of March 2011, SWO took technical issues affecting the intelligence to provide spatial analysis on current and
over the running and co-ordination of the function that require peer support. future skills priorities and responded to a
Regional Intelligence Group (RIG) which This group has explored potential joint large number of government consultations,
was previously facilitated by the now purchases of data and aired concerns ARO also provided written evidence to
disbanded Government Office for the about proposed changes to services like Parliamentary Select Committee inquiries
South West (GOSW). NOMIS. Between meetings ORG is the into Local Enterprise Partnerships and the
mainstay of the SWO network as they abolition of Regional Strategies.
RIG membership includes a wide range are the main contacts for each of the
of data producers and analysts who constituent bodies contributing to joint However, the abolition of the Regional
share a common interest in improving consultations and responding to requests Development Agencies has meant
their effectiveness in the collection, for information from the network. For all that over the reporting period ARO lost
analysis and use of data. Over and above information about ORG meetings please members as RDA-employed staff left
the SWO network of Thematic Modules see www.swo.org.uk/org and functions were wound down or
and LINs, RIG memberships extends, transferred elsewhere. The remaining
amongst others, to Business Link, The Association of Research ARO members asked SWO, as a company
Careers South West, Citizens Advice, Observatories (ARO) limited by guarantee with some chance of
SERIO, the Young People’s Learning SWO took over co-ordination of ARO in continuity, to develop a national research
Agency and The Big Lottery Fund. Topics January 2010, with a full time co-ordinator and intelligence network that continued to
that have been discussed over the past based within the SWO Core Unit team promote evidence-based policy and could
12 months have focused on post-election from April. SWO’s Managing Director draw on local knowledge. Though still
developments and the analysis of policy took over as ARO Chair in October 2010. embryonic, the conditions for a knowledge
changes, including briefings on the and intelligence network are being scoped.
impact of the Comprehensive Spending The change of government raised issues www.researchobservatories.org.uk
Review. Members have heard updates and challenges for ARO during 2010-
from the ONS, an evaluation of the 11. We worked hard to promote the Local Authorities Research and
RDA’s work and also been briefed on expertise and outputs of Observatories Intelligence Association (LARIA)
various GIS tools available, including one across the country, and position them South West Liaison
to map Functional Economic Markets to support new government initiatives In 2011 the SWO Core Unit became the
commissioned jointly by SWO. RIG and embrace opportunities for future South West contact point for LARIA,
meetings take place quarterly in Taunton. development. ARO continued to advocate enabling the intelligence community in
To find out more see www.swo.org.uk/rig for research and intelligence at a local, the region to be kept abreast of LARIA’s
national and sub-national level and work and services and vice versa. LARIA’s
Operations and Research Group (ORG) maintained good relationships with remit is to promote the role and practice of
The Operations and Research Group government departments, partners research within the local government and
(ORG) of the Observatory brings and stakeholders. During 2010-11, ARO to provide a supportive network for those
together lead practioners from the ‘close’ focused on making the case for research conducting or commissioning research.
SWO family of Modules and LINs. Since and intelligence as a necessary function We hope this new role will be mutually
SWO took over RIG, it was decided that within the new political and financial beneficial and will help to enhance and
ORG should focus on planning theme climate. The Association worked with the extend our networks.
05

8. events
In 2010-11, SWO organised a range projections going forward. Attendees and alternative measures. This was for
of events and training sessions to heard from Keith Woodhead (formerly a non-expert audience but also looked
disseminate some of our work and at South West Councils) who provided a in detail at the South West Regional
findings and to support members guide to national population projections Accounts and considered questions
working on specific issues and topics. and explored the merits and policy around the rationale for intervening in an
Our events are open to network considerations for projections at a more economy faced with market failure.
members and a wider community of local level. Case studies were also
those interested in research, analysis provided by Gloucestershire County To view presentations from Economics
and policy making. Council and Bournemouth, Dorset and Demystified and to download the
Poole, which looked at calculating local follow-up Economy Terminology briefing
Back in July 2010, hosted by the population projections in partnership. compiled see www.swo.org.uk/
Somerset Local Intelligence Network events/2010-11/economics-demystified
(SINe), the 10 Dimensions of Equality To view presentations from Population
event looked at the possibility of a Projections and to download follow- By November more detail was emerging
standard set of indicators under each up resources see www.swo.org.uk/ about proposed changes to structure in
of the Equality and Human Rights events/2010-11/population-projections the NHS, so a third event - Public Health
Commission’s 10 Dimensions of Equality. Information and Evidence - hosted
The event provided a useful starting Exeter was the venue for October’s in Bristol and led by the Public Health
point, identifying a definite interest over-subscribed Economics Demystified Observatory was very timely. Delegates
across the region in a standard set of events in which the Economy Module at this event heard from Paul Brown
measures, whilst acknowledging the team explored the rudiments to (Deputy Director at SWPHO) on ‘what
difficulties with availability of data broken economics, the characteristics of and is public health intelligence?’ and were
down by equality strand. SINe has since challenges to the South West economy, briefed on key data sources for public
moved forward with this work. They have and measuring performance using GVA health by both local and regional analysts.
devised 5 themes, and 13 measures, An interactive workshop rounded off the
which aim to capture difference in event, which gave delegates tools to help
outcome by all equality strands. understand public health intelligence to
aid decision making.
In early September 2010, SWO
hosted a small technical workshop on To access all presentations from this
Understanding Local Population event and to download resources,
Projections to bring together people including Primary Care data, see www.
interested in and working on the subject swo.org.uk/events/2010-11/public-health-
and to provide an overview of nationally information-evidence
and locally available projections. This
event gave those attending the chance Responding to much interest in the topic,
to compare methodologies used in in late November SWO organised a large
the South West for calculating local scale masterclass-style event on Data
projections and looked at some of the Presentation and Visualisation. Hosted
policy implications about population at Brunel’s Old Station, Bristol, this
06

9. events
event covered the fundamentals of data
communications, hints and tips on some
of the most innovative and effective
methods as well as some of the pitfalls
to avoid. Those attending heard from the
ONS’s head of Data Visualisation Alan
Smith, who spoke on the effective use
of graphics and gave practical tips on
how best to display different types of
data. Local practioners in Plymouth and
in Cornwall spoke about the success
of data visualisations for projects in
both areas and attendees also heard
from data journalist Simon Rogers who
has pioneered the Guardian’s DataBlog
and DataStore. During his session,
Simon gave examples of some of the patterns of domestic violence, and from from expert speakers on the passage
more popular Guardian visualisations, DEFRA’s Centre of Expertise looking of legislation, from departmental level
including ones on Government Spending at how to influence behaviour using through to adoption in Parliament,
and MPs’ expenses, and explored how evidence. and ways and means to feed into the
data visualisation can help build a story legislative process. Speakers included
rich with information. To access all presentations from the Baroness Jean Corston, former Labour
day see www.swo.org.uk/events/2010- MP for Bristol East and current member
To access all presentations from this 11/customer-insight-behaviour-change of the House of Lords, who spoke on
Masterclass and to download a SWO engaging with Parliamentarians.
Data Visualisation briefing pack, see By the beginning of the year, the
www.swo.org.uk/events/2010-11/data- Government Office for the South For all presentations, together with
presentation-visualisation West was in the process of wind a follow-up briefing note with hints
down towards its closure at the end of and tips to engage with legislation,
In February, SWO went to Trowbridge March. With this in mind, and in view see www.swo.org.uk/events/2010-
for an event hosted by Wiltshire Council of the Government’s Localism agenda 11/understanding-influencing-the-
on Customer Insight and Behaviour and the onus it places on individuals legislative-process
Change. With presentations from at a local level to get involved in
Experian UK, the event looked at some decision making, SWO organised In early April 2011, SWO organised two
of the latest developments in Customer an event on Understanding and Quantitative Data day workshops,
Insight, including ‘Total Insight’ and Influencing the Legislative Process run with the University of Plymouth,
ways and means to target specific in conjunction with the House of offering targeted training for those
groups. There were also presentations Commons’ Parliamentary Outreach working with statistics. For information
from Devon and Cornwall Police on team. Delegates came from all over the about LEA events and future events
using customer insight to understand South West and further afield to learn see p14 and p31.
07

10. eighth annual conference
The Role of Evidence in Policy and
Decision Making: Luxury or Necessity?
In the current climate of spending
cuts and widespread reform of public
services, the role of evidence in
informing commissioning, investment
or disinvestment decisions, monitoring
and evaluating outcomes should be
increasingly important. But while much
is made of the open data revolution, how
do we make sense of it all when national
bodies like ONS consider shrinking their
outputs and sample sizes and initiatives
like data.gov bombard us with reams of
unanalysed information? How can, or to underline the current context for a ‘Evidence and Policy Making: Where are
should, evidence-based decision making debate around evidence-based policy we Now?’ questioned whether we had
be embedded and how can post code making. Under proposals outlined evidence-based policy making in the UK,
lotteries be avoided? (currently being consulted upon - time whether this was changing currently, and
of writing), the role of evidence and what factors must be addressed when
That was the context for speakers and consultation as a ‘duty to involve’ would promoting its use.
delegates at this year’s SWO Annual be removed, replaced instead with a
Conference, which took place in May Annette highlighted some of the
duty to look at ‘best value’. She looked
2011 at Somerset County Cricket Club, contradictions heard from politicians,
at the implications of the Localism Bill
Taunton and addressed some of the who on the one hand advocate evidence-
for Local Authorities and unpicked some
challenges and opportunities posed by of the new responsibilities placed on based policy making yet on the other
recent changes at all levels. planning applicants to demonstrate howdisparage ’inconvenient’ evidence-
based research. But she also stressed
consultation has been taken into account
Those attending heard first from Janice before submitting applications. Janicehow promoting the use of evidence in
Morphet (Visiting Professor, Bartlett policy making requires more than just
went on to explore how evidence is used
School of Planning, University College research. This looked at how evidence
in planning and why it is critical, before
London; Planning Committee London and argument are central to all stages of
looking at delivery options, highlighting
2012 Olympic Games; Senior Advisor LEPs, possible funding sources and the policy process, how communication
Local Government Modernisation and some of the key challenges faced at a to different audiences is key and how
e-Government, DCLG; former Local local level in the years ahead. analysis might in certain cases need to
Authority Chief Executive) who spoke on be taken further in suggesting possible
evidence in Planning and Delivery. Dr Annette Boaz is a lecturer in solutions to policy makers. This was an
translational research at King’s College issue raised in a subsequent Question
Janice opened by highlighting proposed London and was formerly a senior and Answer session as problematic for
changes to the 2007 Local Government research fellow in the UK Centre for researchers where they are charged with
and Public Involvement in Health Act Evidence and Policy. Her presentation on evaluating outcomes.
08

11. eighth annual conference
The Consultation and Research team some of the principles and criteria behind Insight, Understanding and Influencing
at Bristol City Council has been active linked - open data and demonstrating Citizens and tips on how to develop
in developing innovative new forms how common standards can improve research that will make a difference. He
of e-consultation and crowd-sourcing partnership working and achieve efficiency highlighted how effective communications
using online technologies and social savings by enabling data to be acquired can be key when developing and delivering
media. Under the section highlighting and shared more easily and efficiently. research and how engaging colleagues
interesting work by local practioners, within an organisation and segmenting
delegates heard from Anna McDermott Delegates then heard from Phil Norrey customers can help deliver better services
and Phil Higgins on developments on the challenges he faces as Chief or change behaviour of customers.
over the past 10 years in Bristol to Executive of Devon County Council and
increase engagement with policy, in the importance he places on evidence to Andrew Collinge, Assistant Director at
particular among otherwise hard-to- determine policy interventions. Phil spoke the Greater London Authority, closed the
reach groups. Looking at some of their about the importance of collaboration Conference offering up his experiences
recent crowd-sourcing to gauge opinion, between local authorities and how, with from London in Beyond Beautiful
obtain ideas and stimulate discussion current changes in place, he is determined Evidence, a presentation which drew
among communities, this looked at how to support a research function across local together ideas from all parts of the day.
involving new people in consultations areas to help provide comparisons and to Using examples from London of data
can bring fresh thinking on problems. share in resources and services. visualisation and mapping, Andrew looked
They also explored how using interactive
maps can make consultation an engaging
experience and showed how spatial
patterns can quickly emerge.
Paul Brown from the South West Public
Health Observatory spoke about some of
the lessons from Public Health research,
out of which evidence-based policy
making first emerged. Paul looked at the
environmental factors affecting public
health and gave examples of research Laura Grady, Principal Planner from at a range of new ways of making sense
that has changed policy - from Florence the West of England Partnership, spoke out of data. Highlighting some recent
Nightingale on sanitation to research into about evidence for Local Enterprise examples, in particular crowd-sourcing,
smoking and cancer in the 1950s. Partnerships and in doing so looked augmented reality applications and mobile
at what makes evidence, what LEPs technologies, he spoke about some of the
Paul Davidson, Chief Information are seeking to achieve, how to deliver opportunities to make evidence useful not
Officer at Sedgemoor District Council sustainable economic growth and the just to the policy makers but to consumers
and Director of Standards at the Local kind of challenges faced in a changing and clients too.
e-Government Standards Body (LeGSB), political landscape.
framed his presentation around ‘open To access all presentations see
data, open opportunities?’, drawing out Pete Thompson looked at Customer www.swo.org.uk/events/conference-2011
09

12. publications and briefings
State of the South West 2011 Briefings
With work to collect and analyse Over the past 12 months, SWO has
information starting in late autumn developed a suite of briefing notes
2010, an updated annual State of on emerging policy, subject-specific
the South West was launched on analyses and technical guides. These
Wednesday 16 March 2011 thanks have been compiled principally to help
to the hard work and dedication of members of the SWO network with
authors within the SWO network. their work, but are all publically available
This year’s online update, enhanced to help share information and expertise
with new web features to improve with our wider network.
usability, enables visitors to the SWO
site to browse relevant sections of A range of policy briefings, covering
the report, bookmarking and printing topics including Local Enterprise
as required. Each chapter is also Partnerships, the Localism Bill, the
available to download as a PDF for Single Data List, Open Data and
easy printing. Housing and Planning, unpick the main
messages from legislative and regulatory
Overall, the report observed that changes. Further to the withdrawal
residents of the South West continue of the ONS Regional Presence in the
to fare relatively well; being likely to South West, on subject specific topics
live longer and enjoy a better quality SWO analysed and gave local context
of life than most of the rest of the to national datasets, including one on
UK. There are signs of economic life expectancy. The Economy Module
recovery in the region, but future The State of the South West 2011 has has lead on economic data alerts,
growth looks likely to be constrained been one of the most popular areas previously analysed by the ONS Regional
by a combination of public-private of the website, with over 1000 page Presence. Our range of technical papers
sector rebalancing, reduced views since its launch, a number of include top tips on data visualisation
household spending and fragile downloads for individual PDF chapters and understanding and influencing the
business confidence. Elsewhere, and a notable surge in page views to legislative process, which attempt to
the public health chapter reported the site generally around the time of cement some of key messages from
a 3% drop in adults smoking in the its launch. SWO events over the past year.
area, with a 5% drop in smoking
among women. The Governmental The update was widely reported in the To download SWO briefings from
and Political Context chapter explains regional media, including extensive the past year, see www.swo.org.uk/
the significant changes which have coverage in the Western Morning resources/briefing-notes
occurred since March 2010, including News as well as features on local radio
the May General Election results and and via online blogs. For publications from other parts of the
subsequent changes to the political SWO network see individual Thematic
landscape, in particular to regional www.swo.org.uk/state-of-the-south- Module and Local Intelligence Network
structures. west-2011 p18-29.
10

13. local profiles
Local Profiles compiled by the SWO Local Employment and Cultural Place Profiles
Core Unit, Thematic Modules, Local Skills Board Reports (Culture Module) give a ‘snapshot in
Intelligence Networks and outside (Skills and Learning Module) time’ of a particular place in the South
agencies provide in-depth local context provide an evidence base for Local West with a compilation of general and
about a specific issue or range of issues. Employment and Skills Boards. These culture-specific information.
reports provide detailed analysis
Over the past year, SWO has worked of economic context, skills and Area Specific
with partners to bring together local workforce. Local Intelligence Networks (LINs)
profiles about areas in the South West compile regular Local Profiles about
onto its website for a wider audience. Local Environmental Profiles their area. For a range of Local Profiles
SWO has also started work to update (Environment Module) from LINs - from Bournemouth
‘Statistical Briefs’ (formerly compiled comprise collated environmental Ward Profiles, Bristol Data Profiles,
by the Government Office) for each data at district council level in order Devon Town Profiles, Dorset Area
upper tier area, to profile the Indices of to try and produce mini ‘State of the Profiles, Cornwall Community and
Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2010 data Environment’ reports for each area in Neighbourhood Profiles to Plymouth
for all districts and is supporting the the South West. Neighbourhood Profiles and Somerset
Environment Module (Environment Quilt and Local Profiles - see the
Agency) as it updates the popular Local Health Profiles SWO website.
Environment Profiles covering all (Public Health Observatories)
County, Unitary and District levels in provide a snapshot of public health For links to all Local Profiles, including
the South West. for each area in England using key external ones on Labour Market from
health indicators, which enable NOMIS and Local Profiles from the
General comparison locally, regionally and over ONS see www.swo.org.uk/local-profiles
Local Statistical Briefs time. They are designed to help local
(SWO, formerly GOSW) are detailed councils and the NHS decide where
reports drawing in a range of to target resources and tackle health
data about upper tier areas in the inequalities in their local area.
South West. These briefings offer
information on demographics, crime, Indices of Multiple Deprivation
the local economy, employment and Profiles (SWO/HCA, formerly GOSW)
unemployment, education and skills, are statistical studies of deprivation
housing, planning, the environment and across South West upper tier local
transport. authorities. The IMD, published
periodically by DCLG, is made up
Topic Specific Profiles of seven distinct dimensions of
Sub-Regional Economic Indicators deprivation called ‘Domain Indices’
(Economy Module) offer a compilation looking at income, employment,
of the latest headline economic health and disability, education, skills
information for different upper-tier and training, barriers to housing and
areas across the South West. services, living environment and crime.
11

14. consultations
Since the change in Government in
May 2010 and subsequent proposed
changes to service delivery across
many areas, SWO has taken the
opportunity to respond to a range
of national consultations with the
potential to impact on the work
of our members. Consultation
responses are generally co-
ordinated by the SWO Core Unit,
with significant input and case
studies provided by Thematic
Modules and Local Intelligence
Networks.
Responses to national consultations
this year have included ones to the
ONS Work Programme and User
Engagement Strategy, DCLG’s
Business Plan and Indicators for
2011/12, plus ones to more specific SWO has also compiled responses For all consultation responses please
proposals, such as those for a to the ONS Web Dissemination refer to the relevant section of the
national wellbeing or ‘happiness’ Proposal Strategy, which suggests SWO website: www.swo.org.uk/
index. replacing existing national data resources/consultations
systems such as Neighbourhood
In all responses, we have tried Statistics (NESS) and NOMIS with
to highlight some of the practical a single web portal, and recently
issues faced by those working in responded to the DCLG Statistics
research and analysis, in particular Plan for 2011/12.
at a local level. We have also
tried to identify gaps apparent in
sub national intelligence and the
potential consequences this might
pose for those relying on up-to-date
and accurate information about
a variety of issues over different
localities.
12

15. commissions
SWO Core Unit and some other Functional Economic Market
parts of the Observatory can be Areas: Somerset Analysis
commissioned to undertake small In August 2010, the Core Unit was
or large scale research or analysis. commissioned by Somerset County
Project teams can be pulled together Council to produce a report on
from a range of Observatory Functional Economic Market Areas
associated expertise, while small- (FEMAs) in relation to Somerset.
scale flexible analytical support is This report relied on SEAT, a GIS
also available. Examples of small- based mapping tool with relevant
scale projects include: publically available layers of data.
SEAT was developed as part of
work into FEMAs in the South West
Tewkesbury Borough Profile undertaken by SQW Consulting (for To discuss local community profiling or
In January 2011, the Core Unit more on this see p14). other analysis needs, please contact
generated a local profile for enquiries@swo.org.uk or phone the
Tewkesbury Borough Council, as The report included 28 maps Core Unit on 01823 447395.
an example of sub-regional analysis showing various datasets with
that is possible using the Spatial a Somerset focus. Our analysis
Economic Analysis Tool (SEAT) and included highlighting some of the
other data sources. general trends in the data shown,
such as an urban/rural divide.
Tewkesbury was selected following It also described some possible
a request from Gloucestershire trends relevant to Somerset,
County Council to provide material focusing down to Lower Super
that could inform their LEA and Output Area level where the data
increase the information available allowed.
at a sub-county level.
The report was well received
The 20 page profile analysed and was used in producing
facts and figures on politics, the Somerset Local Economic
demographics, the economy, Assessment (LEA).
education and housing in
Tewkesbury, including graphs and
maps to show key datasets as
clearly as possible.
13

16. local economic development
Over the past year there have been a
number of significant changes to local
economic development which have
impacted on local partners throughout
the South West. Working to support
Local Authorities, share best practice
and achieve efficiencies, SWO has
built on its two year Local Economic
Assessments (LEA) project by
broadening its local economic evidence
work to encompass, for example,
emerging Local Enterprise Partnerships
and Regional Growth Fund bids.
Local Economic Assessments (LEAs):
Developing a consistent approach
SWO led a two-year project funded
by the Regional Improvement and
Efficiency Partnership (RIEP) to develop
a consistent approach to evidence for
LEAs. This ran from July 2009 until the
end of June 2011.
In November 2008, the Observatory addressing local authority capacity and with teams working on the duty in each
hosted an event to consider the merits skills constraints; sharing best practice Local Authority were quickly established
of a joined up approach to the duty and and enabling joint commissioning. and a dedicated LEA section of the SWO
the outcome was resoundingly positive. website was launched. A questionnaire
Participants, including all strategic Following this event, the RIEP agreed to was also sent out to Local Authorities
authorities, regional organisations fund a co-ordinator post at the SWO Core working on the duty, which helped to
and DCLG, outlined what work was Unit to help support Local Authorities identify Local Authority LEA areas of
required. They asked the Observatory in their work on LEAs and to work with concern and was used to refine the work
to take the lead role in supporting Local them to lay the foundations of the programme.
Authorities in developing consistency evidence base. Their work was steered
in their approach to the evidence by a multiagency group with strong In November 2009, local authorities and
requirements. They identified the utility Local Authority representation, balancing regional bodies met for an LEA event to
of consistent and comparable economic consistency of approach across the work towards some consensus on the
assessment data and methodology region with the need for local flexibility. themes in common to Local Authorities
across the region; more collaborative across South West Local Economic
working to save costs; increased Key Achievements Assessments. The aim of the event was to
communications and networking; With a co-ordinator in place, contacts agree where and how those themes could
14

17. local economic development
be addressed consistently without being In June 2010, the jointly-commissioned comprehensive LEA would be useful to
prescriptive. The event also brought GIS product - the Spatial Economic underpin any future strategies.
up the idea of ‘key questions’ that an and Analysis Tool ‘SEAT’ - was Over this time the established network
LEA might seek to answer and helped launched to support upper tier Local was expanded and information on
identify a set of Core Indicators to allow Authorities in the South West and emerging local economic development
comparison between areas. These were others working on the duty. The final issues fed through to contacts, saving
developed by a multidisciplinary group product contained over 100 datasets time and reducing duplication. The LEA
and were provided for each upper tier which could be mapped and over- section of the SWO website was also
Local Authority by the SWO Core Unit as layed to identify locations functional expanded to include a section on Local
downloadable datapacks in April 2010. economic market area. Economic Development, LEPs and the
RGF This remains one of the most
.
Guidance at the time from DCLG A second event, organised by SWO popular areas of the site. To improve
indicated that geographies covered also in June, showcased work on LEAs communications, a Twitter account was
within the LEAs “should, as far from the South West to a national set up which focused on economic
as possible, match real economic audience with examples of best development, and information was
geographies or functional economic practice. For presentations and a short fed into to a number of Community of
market areas” To assist with this the
. video from this event see www.swo. Practice (CoP) and LinkedIn Groups,
SWO Core Unit led and managed a joint org.uk/local-economic-development/ including the Regional Growth Fund CoP ,
commission on behalf of a partnership of local-economic-assessments/events established by SWO.
Upper Tier Local Authorities, the South
West RDA, South West Councils and the Local Economic Assessments Throughout the second part of 2010-
SWO network, to produce an interactive & emerging Local Enterprise 11, the LEA Evidence Co-ordinator
mapping tool and report with multivariate Partnerships (LEPs) and the was active in consolidating LEP and
analysis in order to better understand Regional Growth Fund (RGF) RGF resources for use by all interested
Functional Economic Market Areas By autumn 2010, and responding to parties in the South West and nationally.
(FEMA) across the region. the change in direction over economic Before LEP bids had been submitted,
development brought about by a the LEP pages on the SWO website
change in government, the steering consistently ranked highly in web
group agreed to expand the work of searches on the term and the LEA
the evidence co-ordination role to Evidence Co-ordinator was invited
cover emerging policy areas including to participate at a range of national
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) LEP events. In addition, in December,
and the Regional Growth Fund (RGF). SWO hosted a Local Government and
However, with much work having taken Information Unit (LGiU) LEP event on
place in year one of the project, most Economic Development in Taunton.
South West Local Authorities continued
with their LEAs, working towards the To download the full project report
previous government deadline of 31 Developing a Consistent Approach to
March 2011. South West upper tier Economic Assessments see www.swo.
Authorities recognised early on that a org.uk/local-economic-development
15

18. communications
Over the past year SWO has worked to Wiltshire share its work and findings with
improve and expand its online and offline a wider audience and helped Wiltshire
communications to increase the reach Council to save money. Since its launch,
and audience for our publications and www.intellingenetwork.org.uk, has been
reports. With our website, use of social very well received and heavily accessed.
media, quarterly newsletter, regular
e-updates and press releases for print Also in summer 2010, SWO launched
and broadcast media we aim to keep another small microsite publichealth.
those interested in our work up-to-date swo.org.uk to act as a bridge between
on what’s new at the SWO Core Unit the main South West Public Health
and among the SWO network. number of sections on site, adding Observatory site www.swpho.nhs.uk
our consultation responses, briefing and SWO sites. This site enables visitors
Website and New Sites notes and local profiles, and improving to search across the SWO network
The SWO website www.swo.org.uk navigation for other areas. Throughout for information and, with design and
continues to be the main shop window 2010/11, the most popular areas of navigation the same as that of other SWO
through which our audience access our the site included the Local Enterprise sites, we hope it will help disseminate
work and services. Throughout 2010-11 Partnership section, SWO Events more of SWO’s work to the Public Health
we continued to build on and improve and Publications. Page views on audience and vice versa.
our web presence, taking advantage the site peaked on 16 March 2011,
of new technologies available and coinciding with the launch of the State Working with the Homes and
expanding our online reach to reach a of the South West 2011. There were Communities Agency (HCA) in autumn /
wider audience. At least 100 people a a number of popular downloads from winter, SWO was able to relaunch a new
day now access the main website and the site throughout this time, including Housing and Planning Module at the start
visits to our site are up by around 20% individual chapters for the State of the of the year, taking the place the previous
on the previous year (2009/10). South West, a briefing pack on data Planning Module which had been provided
visualisation techniques as well as by South West Councils. For more on this
Back in late spring 2010, and responding statistical briefings for local areas. The see p20.
to a changing political landscape, most popular download was the Impact
we developed a Local Enterprise of Public Sector Spending Cuts report, With help from the SWO network, the
Partnerships (LEPs) section of the site, compiled by the Economy Module with Core Unit also developed an interactive,
which drew together information about SWO network support, and downloaded flash network map, now embedded on
LEPs for those working on proposals. over 1000 times via the SWO sites using the SWO website, to help visualise the
This quickly became one of the most the combined Content Management different areas of the network and their
popular areas on the site with visits from System (CMS). areas of expertise. This can be viewed via
far and wide. Before LEPs were formally the SWO home page.
agreed, SWO ranked in the top three In early July 2010, Wiltshire’s Local
search results on the term via Google Intelligence Network joined others SWO continues to organise a biannual
and other search engines. already using SWO’s CMS, adopting one workshop to share ideas and best practice
of the easy-to-edit microsites available. on web development between our
We also refreshed and developed a This has helped the research team in network.
16

19. communications
Social Media In the News
SWO’s Twitter following (@ SW The heavily accessed ‘Impact of Public
SOUTH WEST OBSERVATORY
swobservatory) saw a rise over Sector Spending Cuts’ report, compiled
2010-11. At the time of going to press BAROMETER2008/09
NEWSLETTER Winter 2010/11 - Network Publications Review
by the Economy Module with input
over 460 people now follow SWO As the year
The South West Barometer is produced twice a year end, this edition of our regular newsletter
comes to an
provides a collaborative documentnetwork to highlight its best research activity over the last year.
and is an opportunity for the of the South West
from the SWO network, dominated the
In this newsletter we bring intended for anyone involved
Observatory network. It is together the top three significant publications from each of the
tweets, which we use to announce with policy development and decision making at the
thematic Modules, together with key points from the Local Intelligence Networks. Links to a fuller
regional or sub-regional level. The Barometer monitors
network research and publications list can be found on our website www.swo.org.uk/publications/
headlines in autumn-winter 2010 with
the region’s progress towards a broad selection of
new additions to the website and to publications-monitor. Also in this edition, there are a couple of seasonal quiz questions and a ‘guess
economic, social and environmental policy objectives. It
how manyhow, or whether, the South West formoving who haven’t indulged too heavily in the egg nog!
looks at pickles in the jar’ competition is those
people keen to find out more about the
against 20 indicators across these three themes.
promote events, as well as to capture We hope that you find it useful and informative. If you have any feedback or suggestions for future
editions, please do get in touch with Sarah Hardwick, the Editor. Don’t forget you can still access
The focus for this edition is on those
effect of the Comprehensive Spending
information on events and network updates from the main SWO site. If you have any queries,
important announcements from please don’t hesitate to feel need at enquiries@swo.org.uk. With best wishes for a very happy
indicators that we contact us highlighting,
Christmas and inpeaceful 2011 current economic Sarah Hardwick, Editor
especially a light of the from the Core Unit.
Review (CSR) in their local areas. The
outside organisations and think tanks.
climate in the South West. Particular
attention has been given to two of the
The network is currently assist Local Authorities
report suggested that the reduction in
economic indicators around housing andidentify
SWO CORE UNIT
This year we also tweeted ‘live’ at two government spending could result in
KEY PUBLICATIONS working on the 2011 online and others to
employment. You will find thesetheir functional economic
update, due for launch indicators
Title: State of the in March 2011. Last year
South West 2010 the centre of the market areas (FEMAs).
and others in thereport again showed document users to
The tool enables
SWO events, using Twitter to extend Date: Marcha more in-depth are the fastest identify economic, social
with 2010
Link: http://www.swo.
us that we commentary on the
growing region with a big and environmental activity
org.uk/sotsw2010-online proportion headline statistics.
issues behind these of that growth occurring within and across the loss of 116,000 jobs with the public
the scope of the events and enabling sector hardest hit and was picked up by
coming from people administrative boundaries.
attracted to the South
The choice of indicators is based on on sound evidence. Itaround 100
It includes is the
wide consultation and West from other parts of datasets (all publicly
is regularly Observatory’s aim to be the
reviewed; specifically, thelight of Theautomatic first port with the exception
in country. region available of call for Title: Conference Essays and how to bring it about.
delegates to continue their discussions Local and Multi Area Agreements economically of Retail CatchmentWest
performs well
outside the
intelligence about the South data
using the National Indicator set, to most regions its parts, with any one
compared
region and - procured as part of the
the Observatory is planning to greaterour constituent bodies can be
of South project). Layers being
Date: September 2010
Link: http://www.swo.org.
uk/publications/health-
This collection of essays
from the day’s broad range
the BBC, local radio, regional and local
online. press.
revisit this suite of indicators inscoresa portal to all of our network of users
East and particularly switched on and off so wealth-happiness of speakers, including
well on measures of Jonathon Porritt, Matthew
early 2009 to ensure we are using experts andcan easily observe spatial
resources.
the most useful and contemporary include
well-being which patterns. A report is also Summary Taylor and Dame Suzi
information available. environmental and social you find the Barometer
We hope available including worked What do we envisage Leather, provides a good
factors. starting point to inform
informative and easy andaccess.
examples to multivariate when we wish each other a
Summary current thinking about
Along with all the statistics We welcome any comments by the
analysis carried out prosperous New Year? How
Updated annually online, Title: SEAT-SW the role of the citizen and
and commentary are links to regarding ways in which itresponse
consultants. In can can we make it happen
the State of the South
the Observatory’s network Economic improved. If you would like to
(Spatial to FEMAs being identified here and now? The South the state in articulating
We also filmed various events, Other SWO news items from 2010-
of be
West report draws Analysis mapping Tool) and achieving a common
experts giving you access to comment on any important element of
as an aspect of this West Observatory’s 7th
together inputs from Date: aspiration. Essays include
more in-depth analysis. June 2010 edition of the Barometer, please the
the LEA evidence base, Annual Conference brought
the wider Observatory Link: http://www.swo.org. tool was commissioned by together a broad range consideration of wellbeing
e-mail enquiries@swo.org.uk
including the LEA Best Practice one 11 have included TV interviews with
network to provide a uk/seat-sw upper-tier Local Authorities of expertise to consider measures, the importance
The network is working towards
comprehensive account of economic growth and
a common vision; that policy The South Westthe South West and
in Observatory Network how distinct notions of
of the characteristics of the role of civil society.
making in, and about,Summarythe South December 2008 coordinated by SWO - prosperity are correlated,
the region and its parts
West region should be based is a Geographic
SEAT-SW although the range of uses how to articulate and A timely and topical
from June 2010 which was made - including analysis of Information System (GIS)
sub-regional geographies. mapping tool designed to
for SEAT go beyond LEAs
and FEMAs alone.
measure a common
understanding of prosperity,
contribution to current
debate. 01 the BBC Politics Show on a wellbeing
Winter Newsletter 2010/11
available through YouTube and also www.swo.org.uk
index (linked to the SWO Essay Booklet
embedded on the SWO website. We ‘Health, Wealth and Happiness’), radio
continue to make presentations from 2010 edition to provide a summary interviews and press coverage on
all events available online using social of research and activities from our life expectancy briefing as well as
media sites such as Author Stream throughout the year. extensive coverage for the State of the
and SlideShare and embed interactive South West launch.
slides directly on our site. A number of Every month, SWO compiles an
these presentations have been viewed e-update providing links to new SWO issued press releases to local and
over 100 times. resources and publications available regional journalists relating to our life
online, as well as flagging up expectancy briefing, wellbeing report
The Core Unit also ran two social upcoming events. Our mailing list is and State of the South West launch.
media workshops for web editors and made up of nearly 300 individuals with
for marketing colleagues from South a diverse range of interests and from Other areas of the network, in
West organisations throughout 2010/11. across the South West and further particular the Economy Module and
afield. Public Health Observatory, have
Newsletter and Updates also been prominent in the news,
The quarterly newsletter, highlighting If you would like to receive regular highlighting their own reports and
latest research, publications and events e-updates from the South West findings.
from across the SWO network, has Observatory, and our quarterly
continued to be edited by the SWO newsletter, sign up via For all SWO news releases see
Core Unit team. We used the Winter www.swo.org.uk/sign-up www.swo.org.uk/news
17

20. www.swo.org.uk/economy
In times of great economic uncertainty, recession and subsequent recovery, regional-accounts is a key economic
it has been imperative that accurate the Spatial Review economy.swo.org. analysis tool provided by the RDA
and timely economic evidence uk/publications/spatial-review which through the Economy Module. These
and analysis has been available to identified and assessed the differences Accounts have been compiled annually to
businesses and policy-makers alike. The and similarities across the region’s bring together information on all aspects
landscape of economic development, geographic parts, and last year’s of the region’s economy in a single,
in terms of geographies and Labour Market Review economy. consistent and integrated resource. In
institutions, has also shifted, creating swo.org.uk/publications/labour-market- spring 2011, the latest annual update
new demands for evidence to support review. The Economy Module has also release included a structural model of the
new perspectives. The Economy continued to provide a shop window South West economy for 2008 and time
Module, provided by the South West for the wider work of the RDA’s series data from 1998 to 2009. Work
RDA’s Economics and Evidence team, Economics and Evidence team. This has continued on the development of
has continued to meet these needs has included the Agency’s Economics the Accounts, including further industrial
through its comprehensive economic Review, the monthly Economics detail and export analysis. The Accounts
intelligence service for the region and Monitor along with a host of up-to-the- are available for use online via the
its diverse parts. minute data and policy briefings, such Economy Module website and through
as our Data Alerts. the downloadable ECONi software.
The Module’s wide-ranging
publications are the principal means As well as understanding economic Preparation for the (short-lived) Single
of disseminating analysis and change as it happens, all those Regional Strategies provided a perfect
intelligence. This past year saw the involved in economic development opportunity for collaborative working
introduction of a new format for the need to have an eye to the future. across the region’s evidence community.
core in-depth publications with a set This year the Economy Module The RDA, through the Economy Module,
of thematic ‘reviews’ replacing the team released bi-annual economic joined partners to commission the
Economic Profile series. The series projections (data and commentary) SEAT spatial analysis tools and the
now consists of the Business Review for the region, covering both sector South West Growth Scenarios as
economy.swo.org.uk/publications/ and sub-regional prospects through to well as helping to manage the Local
business-review which focused on the 2030. In addition, with RDA funding, Economic Assessment evidence co-
they ran a number of important ordinator project.
regional economic simulations
considering post-recession futures, English RDAs are being abolished and
including: Rebalancing the Economy, will all have closed their doors by the
Fiscal Tightening and The Squeeze 31 March 2012. It is unclear what will
on Household Finances. Their work happen to the South West Observatory
on the impact of public sector job as a whole beyond this but, for now, the
losses across South West England was Economics and Evidence team at the
particularly well-read and received. RDA continues to offer an economics
service to South West partners through
The South West Regional Accounts the Economy Module and other avenues
economy.swo.org.uk/south-west- of support.
18

21. www.swenvo.org.uk environment
The Environment Module, hosted by
the Environment Agency in Exeter,
continues to provide up-to-date and
accurate environmental information for
partners across the South West.
This year the Environment Module
Image supplied by the Environment Agency
further developed the SWENVO website
with new pages and new interactive
tools now available. The environmental
themes section of the site has been
extended with information on waste,
including waste arisings and waste
management. The marine theme also
now has a new page on beach litter.
For more on this see www.swenvo.org.
uk/themes
Last spring saw the completion of the
Environment Module’s Local Profiles; using Google Maps to capture waterbody is (a defined body of water
summaries of key environmental environmental initiatives, events and with its own unique number, e.g. a
topics available at unitary and district projects across Devon and Cornwall. specific stretch of river, a lake etc.),
level across the South West. Each The pilot provides a way to share best future proposals for improvements
profile helps to identify key pressures practice across the area and can be and a link to a discussion forum. This
on air, water and land, on people and viewed at www.swenvo.org.uk/earth- feature will also invite organisations
communities and on businesses whilst chattering and groups to add their own projects
also looking at the impact of climate that work to improve the environment
change on all parts of the South West. This year, layers have been added at various locations, providing a
The Environmental Local Profiles to the map relating to the Water comprehensive spatial view of
provide key facts, graphs, charts, maps Framework Directive. Under this planned improvements to the water
and raw data, all of which are also Directive, River Basin Management environment in the South West.
available to download and reuse. An Plans have been drawn up for
interactive Google map, mapping each river basin districts across England In addition this year the Environment
Local Profile, helps visitors navigate to and Wales to protect and improve Module took part in the review and
the relevant local profile. For more on the water environment. These update of the Environment and
this see www.swenvo.org.uk/south- contain the main issues for the Natural Resources chapter within the
west-local-profiles water environment and the actions State of the South West 2011 report.
required to deal with them. This new This chapter brings together key issues
Last year the Environment Module interactive layer will allow the user to and the latest environmental trends
launched a pilot interactive tool see what the current condition of a for the region.
19