State of the South West 2008

Local environmental quality is an annual assessment of litter, dog fouling, detritus, weeds, fly tipping, fly posting, graffiti, physical appearance, condition and maintenance in an area.  It is one of the indicators of Sustainable Development (UK Government, 2008).

In 2006/2007, 34% of assessed sites in the South West were judged to be of good local environmental quality, higher than the English average of 28% and the highest regional proportion.   A further 19% of sites in the region were in satisfactory condition (equal to the English average), 44% unsatisfactory (compared to 48% nationally) and 4% poor (5% in England).  (UK Government, 2008)

The percentage of sites in poor or unsatisfactory condition in the region has declined since 2003/2004, from 56% to 48% in 2006/2007.  This is the third highest improvement in the regions.

Encams, who run the Keep Britain Tidy Campaign, are currently carrying out an independent survey of local environmental issues, such as litter and graffiti, in every district council area in England between April 2006 and March 2008.  District level reports are now available for much of the South West, with results for Cornwall and parts of Devon coming soon.  www.direct.gov.uk

The aim of this work is to report on how much litter, graffiti and flyposting are found in each council area - on the street, in parks, town centres and other places that the public visit for work and recreation. It will also give councils detailed information on the nature and scale of any problems, helping them to improve standards.

Around 90% of people were satisfied with their local area in the South West in 2006/2007, the highest proportion recorded by a region and higher than the national average of 87%.  Levels of satisfaction have not changed significantly in the region since 1999/2000, varying between 89% and 91%. (UK Government, 2008)

Environmental equality is a new indicator of Sustainable Development.  It shows the proportion of people in graduated 10% bandings of the 2004 indices of multiple deprivation experiencing different numbers of the least favourable environmental conditions.  These conditions include ambient air pollution, industrial airborne releases, green space, habitat favourable to biodiversity, derelict land, flood risk, river water quality and housing quality.  (UK Government, 2008)

In the South West, less than 1% of people living in the least deprived areas experience 3 or more environmental conditions that are ‘least favourable’. Around 18% of the population in the most deprived areas experience 3 or more environmental conditions that are 'least favourable'.  (UK Government, 2008)

Green Flag Awards recognise the best green spaces in the country.  A record 554 Green Flag Awards were given to sites across the country in 2006/2007, an increase of 30% compared to last year. 55% of local authority areas now have one or more parks flying the flag, a symbol of a well managed, quality green space.  In the South West, there are currently 42 Green Flag Awarded sites which represents over 7% of the national total.  This is a significant improvement on the 27 awards in 2005/2006. (Civic Trust, 2007).