Bright future for sustainable recovery?
As the dominant story of 2009, the UK economy has continued to face extraordinary challenges following the financial crisis of late 2008, which triggered a steep global downturn and the worst recession since the 1930s.
Amongst its many findings, the 2009 Quality of Life Report demonstrates the wide-ranging effects of this recession within Hertfordshire, with several of our indicators showing the hallmarks of slowed economic activity in the county. For instance, the report highlights:
- a rapid rise in the number of people claiming unemployment related benefit;
- a severe decline in the volume of property sales; and
- a notable decrease in the volume of traffic
However, the county has continued to enjoy excellent educational achievement with attainment higher than national and regional figures throughout all the reported indicators. Hertfordshire also remains one of the safest counties in the country with crime levels falling further in 2009.
Whilst energy and water consumption remains high, economic recovery and future growth in housing provide Hertfordshire with the opportunity to ensure that a full range of environmental considerations, and the challenges posed by a changing climate, are an integral part of sustainable development in the county.
Changes for 2009
For the 2009 report the Leisure section has been re-named Culture to better reflect the wide range of recreational initiatives and activities that bring together Hertfordshire’s communities. The Economy and Employment sections have been brought together to give a more rounded picture of the local economy.
This year’s report also represents the beginning of a transition away from the set of indicators traditionally reported in Quality of Life. The new mix of indicators includes, amongst others, the National Indicators (NIs) for local government. This set of 188 indicators measuring national priorities aim to strengthen the incentives for closer working between local partners such as Primary Care Trusts and the police. The introduction of NIs has provided an opportunity to review all reported indicators. See the outcome of this review in the following pages.
Hertfordshire housing market sees a decline in sales volumes