PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
The purpose of the report is to provide details of the outcome of the public consultation that has taken place to support the development of the South Manchester Strategic Regeneration Framework.


Levenshulme part at the bottom: Appendix 1

1.0 Introduction

1.1 The South Manchester Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) is the fifth and final SRF for the city. Other SRFs have been developed in North Manchester, East Manchester, Wythenshawe and Central Manchester. The SRF will set the context for the management of neighbourhoods and services to the people of South Manchester for the next 10-15 years.

1.2 The South Manchester SRF area covers 10 wards of the city (Burnage, Chorlton, Chorlton Park, Didsbury East, Didsbury West, Fallowfield, Levenshulme, Old Moat, Whalley Range and Withington) and has a population of 132,181 (based on 2003 mid year population estimates), which is approximately one third of the City’s population. It is bounded to the north by the wards of Whalley Range, Fallowfield and Levenshulme and to the South by the Mersey Valley. In general terms, the area is characterised by a successful housing market, green space, good north south transport links to the city centre, motorway and airport, domination of students in certain areas, mixed levels of educational achievement, hotspot crime areas, diverse communities as well as varying levels of affluence and deprivation.

1.3 The development of the South Manchester SRF began in May 2006. A management structure was established to oversee the process. Firstly, an elected Members group, consisting of all 30 ward councillors and a steering group made up of key representatives from MCC departments and partner agencies such as University of Manchester, MMU, Job Centre Plus, Primary Care Trust, Greater Manchester Police, South Manchester Hospitals Trust, MANCAT and City College. The Leader of the Council chairs both of these groups. Secondly, a Project Team was established to carry out actions in accordance with the day to day development of the SRF and to ensure that it is delivered in line with the initial scope. A team of consultants have been employed to undertake the research and development of the document.

1.4 Prior to producing the draft SRF, the consultant team were asked to produce a Futures Report. This report outlines the strategic context, the vision and key objectives for the area. The key objectives are grouped into three themes which mirror those of the Community Strategy. These are Delivering Popular Neighbourhoods, Achieving Full Potential in Education, Skills and Employment and Strengthening Communities – Individuals, Families and Neighbourhoods. It was this document that provided the basis of the public consultation documentation. Both local ward councillors and the steering group approved the messages outlined within this document in October 2006. Along side this; a report was presented to both groups outlining the proposed approach to the public consultation. Both groups agreed with the approach.

1.5 In order to start planning the consultation, a sub group was formed consisting of representation from the South Manchester Regeneration Team, MCC area co-ordination team and the Community Network for Manchester. This group ensured that the consultation was wide ranging and had the ability to be accessed by a wide range of residents within the area.

2.0 Public Consultation

2.1 The public consultation for the South Manchester SRF took place over a 3 month period, commencing on 22nd January and ending on 22nd April 2007. A 3 month period was used in line with recommendations outlined in the Voluntary Sector Compact.

2.2 The South Manchester Regeneration Team led the consultation process, assisted by a wider team of individuals from Ward Co-ordination, CN4M, Wythenshawe Regeneration Team and Private Sector Housing. Two specific training sessions were held in January to inform the team of the process, and equip them with the information necessary to take part in consultation events.

2.3 In addition, we also approached the University of Manchester Student Volunteering Programme. An introductory briefing session was held, to which all students on the database were invited. In total 9 student volunteers took part in various sessions throughout the consultation period allowing them to meet local people and further understand their priorities for their neighbourhood.

2.4 Local groups such as the Civic Societies also assisted by distributing questionnaires to all their members.

2.5 A variety of methods were used to undertake the public consultation.
These included:-
· A questionnaire, which asked for demographic information, priorities within each particular theme and what factors should be included in the vision for the area. As it was important that the questionnaire had the ability to be as far reaching as possible, differing formats were available. This included a bespoke questionnaire for under 16s, translated questionnaires available in 9 languages and the option for it to be produced in Braille, audio tape or large print.

· A ten page leaflet and 38 page summary providing information on the vision and key objectives of the SRF were produced and widely distributed at meetings and other sessions.

· Four public meetings held at various times and locations across the area, giving residents the opportunity to listen to a presentation and take part in a discussion. The final public meeting held in Burnage was given an older people focus. Working with the Valuing Older People team, a specific mailshot was sent out to member of the Burnage and Didsbury Older People’s network to encourage them to participate in the event.

· Ten drop in events (one in each ward), where residents were able to meet members of the team, ask questions and fill in a questionnaire.

· Thirty five one to one meetings with individual voluntary and community groups across the whole SRF area. In total over 100 groups were written to, asking if they would like members of the South Manchester Regeneration Team to visit them and discuss the SRF. Particular effort was made to ensure contact was made with a wide range of community and voluntary groups. This included groups such as the Indian Senior Citizens, Breakthrough UK and the Lesbian and Gay Foundation.

· A number of outreach sessions were held in order to access people who may not have been a part of a voluntary and community group. These sessions were held in places such as playgrounds, supermarket foyers and health centres where there is a lot of footfall.

· As mentioned earlier student volunteers assisted us in obtaining views of indigenous residents, but also assisted in obtaining the views of students who live in the area. This was done by attending halls of residence and the foyer of the student union building.

· Events were publicised through placing two adverts in the South Manchester Reporter at different points in the consultation. Posters were also placed in key public buildings across the area.

· Press releases (published in the South Manchester Reporter) throughout the consultation period highlighting the key messages and information about how residents can find out more. On 22nd February 2007, an article was published on the front page of the South Manchester Reporter. In addition articles were also published in the Ward newsletters, CN4M weekly bulletin and Chamberlink newsletter. All three are circulated widely to individuals, voluntary groups and businesses.

· CN4M held three events, representing each of the networks. This allowed members of the network to take part in discussions, and highlight what their priorities are for their neighbourhoods. · Promotion of the consultation process and information about the SRF was also carried out through an interview on ALL FM. This is widely broadcast to residents of South Manchester.

· A website was specifically set up in conjunction with Manchester Community Information Network to allow people to log on and obtain information about the consultation and have their say on line. The website contained a Britsh Sign Langauge video, an audio of the interview that took place on ALL FM, questionnaires which could be answered on line, the ability to sign up to a mailing list to be kept informed as well as electronic copies of the consultation material. Visitors to the site also had the option to take part in a blog and discussion forum. In total 2022 unique page views were made on the website (the number of visits on which the page was viewed), and from this a total of 92 questionnaires were received on line. In addition, 16 people asked to be signed up to a mailing list to be kept informed. This website was accessible from the home page and regeneration pages of the MCC website as well as from Community Network sites such as ALL Together, Ethni-City and Burnage 4 U. The web address was also publicised on posters and through press releases and other communications such as ward newsletters.

· A number of visits to secondary schools took place in order to obtain the views of young people. This took various forms – some in registration, others in citizenship or PSE classes. Schools that took part included Levenshulme High School, Chorlton High, Whalley Range High and The Barlow High School.

2.6 It should be noted that there were also constraints in carrying out the consultation. Firstly the housing stock transfer voting period meant that we were unable to meet with residents groups from these areas (Chorlton Park, Old Moat and Burnage) until after the 5th March 2007 (final day of the vote), and secondly we were unable to meet with any groups on a one to one basis during the election period which began on the 23rd March 2007. All meetings with residents, voluntary and community groups therefore took place before this date.

3.0 Analysis and Results

3.1 In total 1334 questionnaires were received. This was made up of 1021 adult questionnaires and 313 young people questionnaires. In addition, in excess of 900 people were also engaged with through various meetings. The questionnaires can be viewed in appendices 2 and 3.
3.2 A summary of the demographics of the respondents is listed below.

Ward

Ward	Number of People	% of Total
Burnage	105	7.9%
Chorlton	154	11.5%
Chorlton Park	79	5.9%
Didsbury East	73	5.5%
Didsbury West	26	2%
Fallowfield	111	8.3%
Levenshulme	127	9.5%
Old Moat	90	6.7%
Whalley Range	105	7.9%
Withington	101	7.6%
Other areas	216	16.2%
No address provided	147	11%
TOTAL	1334	100%

Age

Age	Number of People	% of Total
Under 16	261	19.5%
16-24	313	23.4%
25-29	90	6.7%
30-44	320	24%
45-64	199	15%
65-74	85	6.4%
75 and over	57	4.3%
No age provided	9	0.7%
TOTAL	1334	100%

Gender

Gender	Number of People	% of Total
Male	459	34.4%
Female	834	62.5%
No response provided	41	3.1%
TOTAL	1334	100%

Economic Activity

Category	Number of People	% of Total
Working	456	34.2%
Not working	132	9.9%
Student	572	43%
Retired	153	11.5%
Other e.g. voluntary work	2	0.1%
No response provided	19	1.3%
TOTAL	1334	100%

Ethnic Origin

Category	Number of People	% of Total
Black Caribbean	19	1.4%
Black African	14	1%
Bangladeshi	14	1%
Kashmiri	2	0.1%
Vietnamese	3	0.2%
White and Black Caribbean	28	2.1%
White and Asian	25	1.9%
White British	846	63.4%
Other White	73	5.5%
African	3	0.2%
Middle Eastern	18	1.3%
Indian	33	2.6%
Pakistani	78	5.9%
Chinese	22	1.7%
White and Black African	7	0.5%
Black British	26	1.9%
Irish	30	2.3%
Somali	8	0.6%
East African Asian	3	0.2%
Other	50	3.7%
No response provided	32	2.4%
TOTAL	1334	100%

The following responses exclude the under 16s responses as these questions were not included on their questionnaire.

Disability

Category	Number of People	% of Total
Disabled	47	4.6%
Not Disabled	912	88.4%
No response provided	72	7%
TOTAL	1031	100%

Home Ownership

Category	Number of People	% of Total
Own	529	51.4%
Rent from a private landlord	200	19.4%
Rent from the Council	122	11.8%
Rent from a housing association	124	12%
No response provided	56	5.4%
TOTAL	1031	100%

3.3 The questionnaire sought to obtain respondents views about their area and understand which issues are of particular concern. Whilst some issues are common across the whole area, others are not and differ on a ward by ward basis, by economic status, ethnic origin and age. This more detailed information is available on request.

3.4 Overall view The information below not only contains information obtained through questionnaire responses but also reflects views of residents obtained from one to one meetings with groups and the public meetings that were held throughout the consultation period.

3.4.1 As can be seen from the tables above, 1334 people responded to a questionnaire, of which 971 stated that they live within the SRF area. Many of those who do not live in the area, live in neighbouring wards such as Hulme, Moss Side and Rusholme. Of those questioned, 23.4% are aged between 16 and 24 and 24% aged between 30 and 44. The high number of 16 to 24 years olds is largely representative of the high number of students living in the area. Whilst the dominant response in terms of ethnicity is from those of White British origin, responses were also recorded from over 15 differing ethnic origins, which to some extent represents the diversity of the area. Priorities for people who live, work or visit the area within each theme are as follows:

Delivering Popular Neighbourhoods

· Protect local character, manage new developments and encourage high quality design
· Protect and improve local nature reserves, public parks and open spaces
· Improve district and neighbourhood centres

Achieving Full Potential

· Raise educational achievement and improve school facilities
· Reduce unemployment and make sure local people have skills and opportunities to access local employment
· Improve links between schools and local employers to give school leavers more skills and opportunities

Strengthening Communities

· Tackle Crime
· Improve leisure, cultural and arts facilities
· Improve activities for young people

Respondents to the questionnaire rated the following as priorities that should be included in the vision for South Manchester.

• Reduce crime
• Improve education

• Provision of high quality parks and open spaces
• Provision of more activities for young people.

• Provision of affordable homes

3.5 General Comments
Whilst the report highlights priorities of residents within each theme, there were also issues raised that did not relate directly to the questionnaire. Many comments were received about the vision statement, which read as ‘protecting, building upon and extending the number of successful neighbourhoods to attract and retain professionals, key workers and knowledge workers through the overarching theme of ‘The Living City’. Residents felt that this statement was not reflective of all South Manchester residents and did not sound inclusive as a vision statement. As a result of this feedback the vision statement has now been amended to take on board the views of local residents.

4. Conclusions and next steps

4.1 The South Manchester strategic regeneration framework consultation was a well structured and planned exercise that sought to inform many residents and community groups in the area about the SRF. It provided residents with the opportunity to view the proposals that are planned for the area, to ask questions, to request further information and to make comments and suggestions. 4.2 The consultation process allowed the South Manchester regeneration team to understand residents’ priorities for the area, and in doing so strengthen the final Strategic Regeneration Framework. Priorities for residents that came through strongly include:

• Protect local character, manage new developments and encourage high quality design
• Protect and improve local nature reserves, public parks and open spaces
• Raise educational achievement and improve school facilities
• Reduce unemployment and make sure local people have skills and opportunities to access local employment
• Tackle crime
• Improve activities for young people

4.3 As a result of this feedback, the document has been strengthened, particularly in the following areas:- · Crime and community safety · Housing, including affordability and student issues · Environmental/ neighbourhood management · The vision statement

4.4 It is recognised that there are particular demographic groups that area not as well represented as others despite the effort by members of the team to fully engage with all different members of the community. This includes young professionals, particular BME groups, lesbian, gay and bisexual organisations and disabled groups. Whilst contact was made and meeting arranged with the latter three groups, there was a poor show suggesting that other methods of engagement will be required in the future if a fully representative consultation is to be carried out.

4.5 A re-draft of the final SRF document is now underway, following the consultation period, and this is expected to be complete during the autumn of 2007 when it will be approved through the council’s committee structure.

4.6 During the consultation, residents, community and voluntary groups have expressed a desire to be informed of the progress of the development of the plan. Officers will feed back to all respondents of the questionnaire as well as visiting voluntary and community groups to provide face to face feedback once the plan has been approved.

For further information, please contact:- Shefali Kapoor Senior Regeneration Officer South Manchester Regeneration Team Level 2, Entrance 2 Daisy Mill complex 345 Stockport Road Longsight M13 0LF Tel 0161 277 1880 e-mail s.kapoor@manchester.gov.uk

Appendix 1

Levenshulme

Levenshulme lies to the north of the SRF area and like Fallowfield borders with wards contained within the Central Manchester SRF area. In total 106 responses were received from Levenshulme residents. Of these the majority (40%) are in the 30-44 age group, with significant numbers in the 45-64 age group (23%) and 16-24 age group (16%). 70% of Levenshulme respondents are in employment and 13% are retired. 73% are of White British origin, 6% Pakistani and 5% Irish. A reflection of the tenure type in the ward is illustrated as 70% are owner occupiers and 15% rent from a private landlord. More Levenshulme residents responded via the Internet than any other ward. Priorities for Levenshulme residents within each theme are:

Delivering Popular Neighbourhoods

• Improve district and neighbourhood centres
• Protect local character, manage new developments and encourage high quality design
• Protect and improve local nature reserves, public parks and open spaces

Achieving Full Potential
· Reduce unemployment and make sure local people have skills and opportunities to access local employment
· Raise educational achievement and improve school facilities
· Provide education, training and support to allow lone parents, young people and people on incapacity benefit to access jobs

Strengthening Communities

• Tackle crime
• Improve leisure, cultural and arts facilities
• Improve activities for young people

Respondents from Levenshulme stated that they felt the following should be reflected in the vision for the area:
· Improve shops and community facilities
· Reduce crime
· Provide more activities for young people
· Improve education
· Provide high quality parks and open spaces.

Besides providing a significant response on the ‘other issues’ section on the questionnaire, a number of Levenshulme residents and groups also wrote letters to the team outlining their views on the SRF.

In addition meetings were held with the following groups in Levenshulme:-

• Levenshulme Civic Society
• A specific public meeting arranged by Levenshulme residents
• Friends of Highfield Country Park
• Carrill and Worsley Grove Tenant Association
• Manchester Roller Hockey Club

A summary of the issues raised through meetings and correspondence is presented below.

• Lack of community facilities in the ward
• Poor shopping facilities within the district centre, including lack of a decent supermarket
• More support should be given to encourage local businesses
• Improve recycling facilities
• Improve the environment including the reduction of litter
• Ensure parks are maintained and well looked after
• The vision statement should reflect all communities that live within south Manchester
• Lack of progress on the development of the St Mary’s site.
• More police visibility is needed

Young People

21 under 16s living in the ward responded to the under 16s questionnaire. Of these 19 attend Levenshulme High School for Girls. The average age of respondents is 15years and 2 months. Unlike any other ward, the majority of respondents (52%) are of Pakistani origin and 33% of White British Origin. Young people in Levenshulme feel strongly that:

• They are planning to go to college/ sixth form when they leave school
• Schools and colleges should have better links with employers, businesses and universities
• Young people should be helped to live healthy lifestyles
• There should be more support to help you get a job or carry on with education
• There are not enough activities for young people

Young people in Levenshulme also stated the following The best thing in my area

• There are some good shops next to where I live
• The people/ friends
• The parks

The worst thing about my area

• Not enough shops/ the shops and supermarket are closing
• Too much litter
• Alley ways
• Not enough parks
• Crime/ Gangs/ Trouble makers
• Not enough youth clubs/ entertainment

Things I would change about my area

• More shops/ supermarket
• Improve the environment
• More job opportunities
• Reduce crime and make the area safer
• More police on the street
• More things to do/ places where young people can meet

In 10 years, my South Manchester will be

• A place with affordable homes/ better, modern homes
• More shops and facilities
• Lots of green areas
• A calm/peaceful/quiet place
• Better public transport