New figures show areas of deprivation

PART of Alcester has been named as the most deprived place in Stratford District.

The Alcester North and Conway area received a score of 24.47 on an index of multiple deprivation which judges a location on factors including crime, income, employment, education and skills as well as barriers to housing and services.

It put it top out of 71 areas ranked across the district and it also comes within the top 20 to 30 per cent nationally for deprivation based on low income, health and disability, although it was still only placed 8,355th and 9,447th respectively out of 32,482 areas across England.

Alcester East and Island was ranked fourth most deprived area in the district while Studley South was eighth, Studley North 12th and Sambourne 21st. Studley West and Common was 29th.

At the other end of the scale Studley East and Priory was 50th, Alcester South, Arrow and Weethly 52nd and Abbey, Grammar and Kings Coughton 63rd.

The figures were revealed as part of a debate on the state of the district report at a recent full council meeting.

But Coun Susan Juned, who represents Alcester, warned the figures had to be taken in context as while Alcester North and Conway may be the most deprived in the district, it still only ranked 10,990th in England.

She added the figures did not 'paint a complete picture' and for many people it was not how they saw their community.

"The community there (Alcester North and Conway) has done an awful lot to help itself, particularly with the provision of a youth centre," she said.

Council leader Chris Saint said they had been aware of issues in that part of Alcester for some time and had invested in the area to help tackle those problems.

"We are giving the community the confidence to run things for themselves and I hope we can say we have laid some foundations there that can pay dividends."

Coun Saint said overall there were a number of positives for the district including good levels of health and employment but he recognised it was a diverse area with differing needs.

"We are not in a position to have a one size fits all approach, we are a unique district, and in many respects we want to keep it that way."

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