Report claims Clacks is getting better

Sep 9 2011 By Donald Morton

A REPORT published this week says Clackmannanshire is going from strength to strength.

The single outcome agreement (SOA) annual report, which was due to presented to the council's scrutiny committee yesterday (Thursday), says excellent progress is being made across a range of issues including tackling the fear of crime, increasing opportunities for young people and improved employment rates.

The report says there is more satisfaction with a range of public services.

The SOA for 2011/12 outlines four action areas for the year ahead: attracting more jobs, developing young people’s skills, helping under-fives in vulnerable families and community empowerment.

Council leader Sam Ovens, who also chairs the Clackmannanshire Alliance, said: "Despite the many challenges that we have all faced in the last couple of years, Clackmannanshire is continuing to thrive.

People feel safer, happier and they enjoy living here. Partners have made some real inroads into improving life chances."

According to the report:

89 per cent of residents rate their neighbourhood as a good place to stay;

the percentage of residents who feel that Clackmannanshire has a strong sense of community has almost doubled in the last year;

employment in Clackmannanshire has risen to its highest annual level (76.1 per cent) since 2004;

significantly fewer people are fearful of becoming a victim of crime;

there is increased satisfaction with schools, GPs, hospitals, social care and the police.

Councillor Ovens said: "These figures reflect the hard work which has gone on for many years by all the partners to transform Clackmannanshire."

The report also shows that alcohol misuse remains an issue in Clackmannanshire.

Councillor Ovens said: "A lot of effort is going in to providing services to reduce the harm from misuse and to increase opportunities for those recovering from misuse."