Enfoques Transversales

The three research authorities are adjacent to each other. Though separate authorities, Northshire and Westborough are often bracketed together, as Westborough was part of Northshire until 1997, when Westborough became a unitary authority.

5.1.1. Northshire

Northshire is a medium sized county covering over 1,725 square kilometres divided into five district councils. The county is predominantly rural with an attractive and historic county town, two urban centres, dependent mainly on tourism, and a number of market towns.

Northshire has a population of over 700,000 of which 26% are over pensionable age and 43% are of working age. In April 2009 the unemployment rate was 3.7% compared to a national average of 3.0%. The majority of the population lives in the main urban centres. The largest employment sectors are education, health, the service industries and a thriving tourist sector. Manufacturing is below 10% (Annual Business Enquiry April 2008: 1998 - 2006)50_{. There are a number of large estates, some belonging to old established county}

families and others more recently acquired by successful business people and financiers who commute daily to London.

The area used to be predominantly agricultural, and Gypsies and Travellers found seasonal work travelling annually across the county; the decline in agricultural employment,

currently below one percent, has adversely affected them.

Over 75% of the county is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and environmentally and archeologically sensitive. This restricts development which is likely to be further restricted when the boundaries of the forthcoming national park are determined. These attractive and important features impact negatively on those who

50

travel, as it reduces the amount of land available for temporary stopping places and permanent sites.

The Gypsy and Traveller population is composed mainly of English Gypsies though some Irish Travellers also live in the authority. A number of English Gypsy families strongly identify with the area and have purchased land, though a number have lost appeals for installing mobile homes on land they had bought in the AONB. There are concentrations of settled Gypsies in one of the market towns and at the eastern end of the county.

In 2006 the BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) population was below 5%, significantly lower than the regional total of 7.4%. Gypsies and Travellers are not identified in these figures. Inclusion strategies targeted at the BME community are in place and the council was rated at Level 2, the national average, for equalities and inclusion.

There is a published Traveller Strategy, a dedicated fulltime Traveller Liaison Officer and two supporting officers. Northshire hosts the Traveller Forum serving it and Westborough.

5.1.2. Southshire

Southshire is also a predominantly rural county of large country estates, small market towns and villages with a population of slightly over 800,000. The county is divided into seven districts, the largest has a population of 150,000.The countryside is attractive and a third is characterised as AONB, which the inhabitants protect fiercely against new

development. A large percentage of this area will become part of the proposed national park, which will further restrict development. The county town, where the county offices are located, is an attractive cathedral city, which contrasts with a “new town” in the east of the county dominated by housing developments, a range of light industries and a significant number of travel related enterprises. The county used to be predominantly agricultural and Gypsies traditionally found work following the annual harvest across the county. This has ceased. The largest employment sectors are similar to those in Northshire - education, health and public administration, tourism, banking and finance and a small manufacturing sector. Light industries and a significant number of travel enterprises are located in the north of the county.

The small ethnic minority population at 3%, of which over half are from South Asia, is half the level of the regional total and resides mainly in the east of the county and is largely invisible in the rural areas. In the last five years Eastern Europeans have come to work in the south of the county, often in agricultural work previously undertaken by Gypsies. The council does not prioritise equalities and inclusion and Southshire has sometimes been referred to as the “white highlands”.

Interrelated families of English Gypsies are spread across the county on private and permanent sites; a numbers live in housing in the central and western market towns. Irish Travellers visit the county and some have obtained pitches on permanent sites.

5.1.3. Westborough

Westborough is an urban sprawl which developed over the last hundred and fifty years, gradually spreading outwards from the centre to incorporate the surrounding older villages. It is a lively tourist centre and views itself as at the forefront of ideas and new developments.

There are three large areas of social housing with high levels of intergenerational

unemployment. The economy of the city was badly affected by the downturn in the 1980s when much of the manufacturing ceased. The public sector and two large businesses are the largest employers. The financial sector has developed over the last twenty years and a strong media sector has grown more recently. The population has a higher level of

education than in many cities due to ex-students remaining after completing their studies. This adversely affects employment opportunities for those with limited education and few skills.

The BME population is 5.7% of the total and has grown gradually over the last twenty years as established former immigrant families have moved out of London. The City Council prides itself on its equalities’ and inclusion policies, but these liberal attitudes are focused in the city centre and not always to be found in the outer areas, nor do they extend to Gypsies and Travellers who are largely resented.

There is a transit site on the edge of the city but no permanent Traveller site in

Westborough. A few families revolve continuously between unauthorised encampments and the transit site. Though a number of Gypsies and Travellers live in bricks and mortar, their numbers are not known. Training for the parks department on Gypsy and Traveller issues revealed a number of “housed” Gypsies and Travellers among the staff, and a number of council staff known to me are of Gypsy or Traveller heritage.

In all three authorities opportunities for education, training and improving literacy are provided by the adult education service and colleges of further education.