Derbyshire Dales District Council

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Local Strategic Partnership

Evidence Base 2011

This Sustainable Community Strategy Review Evidence Base helps Local Strategic Partnership members and others identify where they can work together to add value to their respective activities. The summary below sets out some key facts about Derbyshire Dales and High Peak.

The Local Strategic Partnership area has a population of 162,500. Derbyshire Dales has a population of 70,100 and High Peak 92,400. 84% of residents in Derbyshire Dales and 43% of residents in High Peak live in rural areas. Over the next 20 years, the population is forecast to grow by just 10.4% in the Derbyshire Dales. This compares to 18.4% in the High Peak and 16.7% nationally.
Older people (aged 50+) make up 45% of the population in the Derbyshire Dales, and 37.3% in the High Peak, both higher than regional and national rates. The older population is forecast to grow at a much higher rate than nationally over the next 20 years. In contrast, the working age population (aged 16-64) of the Derbyshire Dales is forecast to grow by just 4.7% during the same period compared with 15.3% in High Peak and 15.5% nationally.
Young people (aged 15-29) make up just 13% of the population in the Derbyshire Dales and 17.4% in High Peak, compared to 20.1% nationally. This group is forecast to decline to just 8% in Derbyshire Dales and 14.6% in High Peak by 2030.
Low workplace earnings characterise the area. Average gross weekly workplace earnings (all jobs) are £412 in Derbyshire Dales and £407 in High Peak. This is 10% below the regional average and 20% below the national average.
The economy is dominated by micro businesses - 91% of businesses have fewer than 10 employees. Self employment is high and has risen to 13.2% in Derbyshire Dales and 11.2% in High Peak, compared to 8.2% regionally and 9% nationally.
There is a well qualified resident population. 46% in Derbyshire Dales and 39% in High Peak have qualifications at NVQ level 4 or above (HND / degree level equivalent) compared to 27% regionally and 31% nationally.
Housing affordability remains a key issue. In 2009, the average price of a house in the Derbyshire Dales was £237,323 and £176,148 in High Peak. The house price to workplace income ratio for Derbyshire Dales is now 14:1, the second worst in the country.
Crime levels are low and continue to fall. During 2010/11 there were 20 recorded crimes per 1,000 people in the Derbyshire Dales and 29 in High Peak. This compares with 41 crimes per 1,000 people in England and Wales. 77% feel safe in the Derbyshire Dales after dark and 66% in High Peak compared to 51% in the East Midlands and in England. 94% feel safe in the Derbyshire Dales during the day and 85% in High Peak compared to 88% in the East Midlands and in England.
24.4% in Derbyshire Dales and 24.7% in High Peak (top two districts in Derbyshire) take part in sport and active recreation for 3 x 30 minute sessions per week compared to 22.1% in the East Midlands and 22% in England.
Rates of road traffic injuries and deaths in the area are high with 122 in Derbyshire Dales and 67 in High Peak per 100,000 population compared to 48 nationally. Rates of adult alcohol misuse are also high at 27.1% in Derbyshire Dales and 26.2% in High Peak compared to 23.6% nationally.
The area's carbon footprint is higher than average at 10.4 tonnes in the Derbyshire Dales and 9.6 tonnes in High Peak. This compares to 7.2 tonnes in the East Midlands and 6.8 tonnes in England. Poor access to services, the age of properties and high number of visitors could be reasons for this.