KJSA logoBatley and Spen

Headlines

 Starting well

  • Higher birth rates in ethnic minority groups suggest that the profile of this area will change.
  • The infant mortality rate for Batley and Spen has risen between 2012 and 2014 although there has been a longer-term decline in this area.
  • Pregnant women in Batley and Spen have higher rates of smoking and new mothers have low rates of breastfeeding compared with Kirklees overall..

 Developing well

  • The achievement of good levels of development in reception class age children is similar to Kirklees overall, but there are significant inequalities. Fewer boys and children from poorer families achieve good levels of development. The same inequalities exist for GCSE attainment.
  • The proportion of 14 year olds who have tried drugs has doubled from 5% to 10% since 2009, now similar to Kirklees overall. Only one in six 14 year olds meets the recommended daily physical activity levels.
  • One in seven 14 year olds said they have been bullied at least once a week in the last two months; the highest rate of all the District Committees but a decline from one in five in 2009.

 Living well

  • One in three working age adults report having mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, an increase since 2012.
  • Less than half of working age adult in Batley and Spen are a healthy weight. Almost one in four working age adults and almost one in three 55-64 year olds are obese.
  • The diabetes rate for adults aged under 65 years is significantly higher in Batley and Spen than Kirklees overall, particularly amongst South Asian people.
  • Smoking and drinking rates in adults are similar to Kirklees overall and are highest among younger adults. Certain population segments,  such as young white adults and those with low motivation levels are more likely to have multiple unhealthy behaviours.

 Working well

  • Around 2.2% of the working age population in Batley and Spen claim Jobseekers Allowance; This figure is consistent across Kirklees and at its lowest level since 2007.
  • Over half of the adult population is in employment, one in five retired and one in 100 in education.
  • One in four working adults in Batley and Spen have taken time off work due to illness in the last 12 months. For two in three of these people this absence lasted over two months.
  • Levels of volunteering are slightly lower in Batley and Spen compared to Kirklees overall, with one in four people volunteering at least once a month.

 Ageing well

  • The number of people aged 65 years and over in Batley and Spen has increased by 25% in the last ten years.
  • Male life expectancy at birth in Batley and Spen is 79.3 years and female life expectancy is 81.5 years.
  • Almost one in two people aged 65 or over suffer from three or more long-term health conditions, compared with less than one in three of those aged 18-64.
  • Less than half of people aged 65+ years do 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week.
  • Nine in ten people of people aged 65+ years have good ‘social connectedness’ (has someone they can really count on to comfort them when upset or to help out in a crisis).

 People and place

  • Respect and togetherness amongst local communities are perceived less favourably by Batley and Spen adults than those in other parts of Kirklees, but community cohesion is perceived positively amongst South Asian adults and children and young people.
  • House prices are low compared to most other parts of Kirklees, but average household income is also low. Fuel poverty is lower than Kirklees overall, but higher than the national average.
  • Over half of working people in Batley and Spen travel outside of Kirklees for work, the highest proportion of the four District Committees. Around half of these people work in Leeds.
  • Nine in ten people in Batley and Spen say they have access to green spaces within a mile of their home, although their use of this space is lower than in Kirklees overall.

 Assets

  • Several important indicators of health and wellbeing are improving in Batley and Spen, and there are large numbers of people with high levels of motivation to look after their health.
  • There are many community assets (strengths) in Batley and Spen including outdoor and indoor spaces, groups and networks that bring together, motivate, support, give a voice to, and improve the quality of life, of people across their life course.
  • Schools as community hubs are emerging as important community assets.

 What could commissioners consider?

  • Find out about, support and build on existing and emerging community assets that are already making a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of local communities.
  • Look for opportunities working with school as community hubs.
  • Support the suicide prevention action plan and interventions to tackle loneliness/isolation.
  • Promote workplace wellbeing and existing local mental health groups.
  • Develop strategies to tackle the roots of fuel poverty and work with local residents so they can access suitable housing and are confident managing their own money.
  • Contribute to improved air quality and physical and mental health and wellbeing by developing and supporting active travel initiatives, such as walking and cycling schemes and promoting the use of local green spaces.

This District Committee summary uses a life course approach, from ‘Starting well’ (incorporating pregnancy and infancy, childhood development and educational attainment), through ‘Living well’ (adults aged 18-64) and ‘Working well’ (relating to those of working age), to ‘Ageing well’ (people aged 65 and over).


This summary also includes sections on ‘Population’ (including age and ethnicity profiles, population projections, fertility and mortality rates, and life expectancy) and ‘People and place’ (including perceptions of the local area, and wider factors such as air pollution, transport, money and housing).

Population

 

 

Batley and Spen

 

  • Batley and Spen District Committee includes six political wards: Batley East, Batley West, Birstall & Birkenshaw, Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike and Liversedge & Gomersal. These links take you to useful ward level health profiles on the ‘Local Health’ tool produced by Public Health England.
  • The population of Batley and Spen is increasing, particularly amongst the very young (0-4 year olds) and middle-to-older age categories. Most (73%) of the increase over the last 10 years was in people aged 40 years and over.(1) The population density of different age groups across Kirklees is shown in more detail in the population summary.

Population pyramid

  • The general fertility rate (live births per 1000 women aged 15-44) is significantly higher in Batley and Spen than the Kirklees and national averages (68.7 for Batley and Spen in 2015 compared with 64.2 for Kirklees and 62.3 for England). (2)(3)
  • Although three quarters of the population in Batley and Spen are White British, only 61% of births are in this ethnic category. Higher birth rates in ethnic minority groups suggest that the profile of this area will change in coming years. (4)
  • Infant mortality rates (deaths in infants aged under 1 year per 1,000 live births) (5) and the proportion of low birth weight live births in Batley and Spen (4) are above the Kirklees average (but not at a statistically significant level). Although the infant mortality rate for Batley and Spen rose in the three year period between 2012 and 2014, there has been a longer-term decline in infant mortality rates in this area. In 2013-15 infant mortality rate was 6.3 per 1,000 in Batley and Spen and 5.0 in Kirklees overall, neither being significantly higher than the national average of 4.0 deaths per 1,000. Infant mortality is linked to smoking in pregnancy, low birth weight and congenital abnormalities (defects that are present at birth).
  • Batley West has a larger proportion of younger age groups whereas Birstall & Birkenshaw, Cleckheaton and Liversedge & Gomersal have larger proportions of older age groups. (1)
  • Compared to Kirklees overall, male life expectancy at birth in Batley and Spen is the same (79.4 years), but female life expectancy is lower (81.8 years vs 82.6 years for Kirklees). Life expectancy at age 65 is lower in Batley and Spen than Kirklees overall for both males and females. Life expectancy at age 65 years was 82.5 years for men and 84.3 years for women in Batley and Spen (83.4 years and 85.6 years for Kirklees respectively). In the last 10 years, male and female life expectancy at birth in Batley and Spen has increased by 3.4 and 2.4 years, respectively. (5) (6)

Life expectancy infographic

Starting well

Starting well key messages

We want every child to have the best start in life. Our aim is to enable all children and young people to maximise their capabilities and have control over their lives.

Many factors contribute to improving and maintaining the health and emotional wellbeing of a child, from their mother’s health pre-conception and through pregnancy, to their home and local environments and the support of local communities and schools. In this section, we look at some key ‘starting well’ indicators for Batley and Spen.

 

Pregnancy and infancy

  • Compared to Kirklees as a whole, new mothers in Batley and Spen have consistently lower rates of starting breastfeeding (71% vs 77% in Kirklees) and breastfeeding at 6-8 weeks after delivery (38% vs 43% in Kirklees). (7) (8) (9)
  • One in seven (15%) pregnant women living in Batley and Spen were recorded as smokers at the time of their delivery in 2015/16. Smoking rates amongst pregnant women in Batley and Spen are slightly higher than the Kirklees average (13%). Smoking in pregnancy is a key risk factor for low birth weight and, later, childhood asthma. (10) (11)

Developing well

  • The proportion of reception pupils achieving a good level of development (GLD) in Batley and Spen (64%) is similar to Kirklees overall (68%). However, those who were ‘free school meal eligible’ in Batley and Spen achieved significantly lower GLD (45%) which was also lower than for Kirklees overall (51%). There are inequalities between boys and girls (55% and 74%, respectively in Batley and Spen achieved a good level of development; a similar pattern to Kirklees overall). In Batley and Spen and across Kirklees there are inequalities between ethnic groups, particularly between white (70%), black (61%) and South Asian (60%) ethnicities, and between the most and least deprived areas (61% and 77%, respectively). (12)

Emotional health and wellbeing

  • Emotional wellbeing in 14 year olds (school years 9 and 10) does not differ significantly between District Committee areas.(13)
  • A baseline measure for resilience in children and young people (established in 2015(14)) shows that on average children and young people in Kirklees have good-to-average levels of resilience, with Batley and Spen being similar to Kirklees overall. Whilst this is positive there is scope for improvement. (13)
  • One in 20 (5%) 14 year olds has problems getting to sleep because of being anxious or worried. This is the same as for Kirklees overall, and a reduction from one in 14 (7%) in 2009. The rate is slightly higher in girls (6%) than boys (4%) and slightly higher in more deprived areas. (13)
  • 3% of 14 year olds have self-reported anxiety or depression (similar to the Kirklees rate). (13)
  • In Batley and Spen, one in seven (14%) 14 year olds (school years 9 and 10) say they have been bullied once a week or more in the past two months. This is higher than Kirklees overall (10%) and the highest of all the District Committees but it has reduced from one in five (18%) in 2009. The Kirklees average has reduced significantly from 20% in 2009. (13)

Food, obesity and physical activity

  • The proportion of healthy weight 4-5 year-old children is similar to the Kirklees average (76% vs 77% for Kirklees). The proportion of healthy weight 10-11 year-olds is also similar to the Kirklees average (both 62%).(15)
  • Around three in five (63%) young people (aged 11-18 years) eat takeaway meals less than once a week/never (similar to Kirklees overall, 64%). (13)
  • Just over half (52%) of 14 year olds have breakfast every day before school, while one in six (17%) never eat breakfast before school which is similar to Kirklees overall (50% and 14%). (13)
  • One in five (22%) 11 year olds and one in six (15%) 14 year olds eat five or more portions of fruit or vegetables a day; these figures are the lowest of all four District Committees. (13)
  • Only one in six (17%) 14 year olds meets the recommended levels of 60 minutes of physical activity a day and almost one in five (19%) does not take part in any regular exercise. These levels are similar to Kirklees overall (16% and 19%, respectively).  (13)
  • One in six (16%) 14 year olds reports having a health problem or disability. This is a slight increase from one in ten (11%) in 2009 and similar to Kirklees overall (13%). (13)
  • One in 13 (8%) 14 year olds reports having asthma, similar to Kirklees overall (7%). Asthma rates are higher in the most deprived areas and slightly higher in girls (8%) than boys (6%). (13)

Teenage pregnancy

  • Teenage conception rates in Batley and Spen (2012-14) are higher than those for Kirklees overall (30.7 vs 27.1 per 1000) and higher than the national average (25.1) but the rates are declining across the district. (16)
  • Most 14 year olds (school years 9 and 10) have not had sex (13). The proportion of 14 year olds in Batley and Spen (86%) who have not had sex is similar to Kirklees (87%); for Batley and Spen this is a slight decrease from 2009 (92%).

Tobacco, alcohol and drug misuse

  • Over half (57%) of 14 year olds (school years 9 and 10) have tried alcohol, similar to 2009 (59%). For Kirklees overall there is a downward trend (reducing from 66% in 2009 to 51% in 2014). There is a significant difference between the proportion of 14 year olds in the least deprived areas (38%) and the most deprived areas (66%) who have tried alcohol, but the difference between males (52%) and females (57%) is not significant. (13)
  • In Batley and Spen there has been no reduction in the proportion of 14 year olds who drink weekly or more (13%), in contrast with Kirklees overall which showed a significant reduction from 22% in 2009 to 10% in 2014 . (13)
  • 4% of 14 year olds smoke regularly, similar to 2009 and to Kirklees overall. Over one in three (35%) 14 year olds live with an adult who smokes, which is a slight reduction from 41% in 2009 and is in line with Kirklees overall. Slightly more children and young people aged 11-19 years (12%) in Batley and Spen report using e-cigarettes compared with Kirklees overall (10%). This indicator provides a new baseline for future analyses. (13)
  • One in ten (10%) 14 year olds report having tried drugs, double the proportion in 2009 (5%). This is now similar to Kirklees as a whole (9% in 2014, a reduction from 12% in 2009). There is a non-significant difference between the proportion of 14 year olds in the least and most deprived areas who have tried drugs (6% and 12%, respectively). (13)
  • Although cannabis is the most commonly used drug, the vast majority (91%) of 14 year olds have never tried it. This is slightly lower than in 2009 (95%) and similar to Kirklees overall (93%). (13)

Educational attainment

  • Overall, GCSE attainment (five or more A*-C grades in GCSEs including English and maths) was slightly lower for pupils living in Batley and Spen (55%) than Kirklees (57%) in 2015/16. There is a significant gender inequality in Batley and Spen, with higher levels of attainment in females (60%) than males (51%); this pattern is repeated across Kirklees. Significant inequalities also exist between pupils living in the least and most deprived areas (74% and 43%, respectively). (17)
  • Pupil absence in Batley and Spen is significantly higher than Kirklees overall (45 vs 43 absence sessions per 1000 possible sessions). (18)
  • In 2016, the amount of NEET young people (those aged 16 to 18 not in full time education, training or employment) in Batley and Spen was 2.6% which was slightly higher than Kirklees overall (2.5%) but lower than the national average (6.5%).  (19)

Young carers

A young carer is a person aged between eight and 18 years who provides unpaid care to somebody because of a physical disability; mental ill health; sensory impairment; substance misuse; long-term condition; learning disability or illness.

  • In 2014, 8% of Kirklees students identified themselves as carers of a parent, relative, brother or sister (13).
  • One in 14 (7%) 14 year olds in Batley and Spen care for a family member, with 3% caring for a parent, 2% for a sibling, and 2% for another relative. (13)

Living well

Living well key messages

This stage of the life course spans the ages 18 to 64, and covers more than 60% of the population of Kirklees. Although many people are continuing to work to an older age before retiring, for convenience we are also referring to this age group as ‘working age’.

Many of the lifestyle choices and health behaviours of people in this age group will have a direct impact on their health and emotional wellbeing, potentially limiting their ability to work and live their life to the full. Enabling people to adopt a healthier lifestyle during this phase of life alongside addressing the wider determinants of health such as income, employment and housing can improve health and quality of life in older age.

Emotional health and wellbeing

  • Emotional wellbeing of the working age population (measured using the SWEMWBS tool) (20) is slightly lower (but not significantly lower) than in Kirklees overall. The score is slightly higher for people of South Asian ethnicity than for those of white ethnicity. (21)
  • One in three (32%) working age adults report having mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, which is slightly lower than the Kirklees average (35%). This proportion has increased in Batley and Spen from one in five (22%) in 2012. (21)

Food, obesity and physical health

  • Amongst Batley and Spen adults and women of childbearing age, cooking confidence and cooking frequency are similar to the Kirklees average. A smaller proportion of working age adults in Batley and Spen are likely to eat the recommended daily number of portions of fruit and vegetables than the Kirklees average (62% vs 66% respectively). This is also true for women of child bearing age (60% for Batley and Spen vs 66% for Kirklees). (21)
  • Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease (including heart attacks and stroke) and some cancers, so rising levels of obesity are a key concern. Less than half of the working age population in Batley and Spen are a healthy weight (42%). Overweight and obesity levels in Batley and Spen are similar to the Kirklees average amongst working age adults overall and women of childbearing age.  The proportion of people who are overweight has increased in both Batley and Spen and Kirklees overall since 2012. Whilst almost one in four (23%) working age adults in Batley and Spen are obese, obesity rates are highest amongst older adults with almost one in three (29%) 55-64 year olds being obese. (21)
  • Less than one in three (31%) working age adults in Batley and Spen meet the recommended physical activity levels. This is lowest amongst those aged 35-44, of whom only one in four (27%) meet the recommended levels. (21)
  • Clusters of unhealthy behaviours are an issue of concern across Kirklees. In Batley and Spen almost one in ten (8%) women of childbearing age have a combination of three unhealthy behaviours (relating to diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, or drug use). Health behaviours are generally poorer amongst older age groups, being lowest in those aged 18 to 24 years (3% having three or more unhealthy behaviours) and highest in those aged 55 to 64 years (16%).  (21)

Long-term conditions

  • One in three people aged between 18 and 65 (30%) suffer from three or more long term conditions. However, co-morbidity (the existence of more than one disorder or disease at the same time) is strongly associated with age. One in five people (20%) aged 18-34 have three or more long term conditions and this rises to just under half (46%) of those aged 55-64 years.(21)

Long term conditions 1

  • One in three people aged between 18 and 65 (30%) suffer from three or more long term conditions. However, co-morbidity (the existence of more than one disorder or disease at the same time) is strongly associated with age. One in five people (20%) aged 18-34 have three or more long term conditions and this rises to just under half (46%) of those aged 55-64 years. (21)

Long term conditions 2

  • Mental health problems such as depression or anxiety (experienced by one in three (35%)); back pain such as sciatica/ lumbago (one in six (16%)); long term pain last more than three months (one in seven (15%)); high blood pressure (one in seven (15%)) and dermatological problems (one in seven (14%). (21)
  • Almost three in four (74%) of adults under the age of 65 with a long-term condition say they feel confident that they can manage their condition (very similar to Kirklees (75%). (21)
  • The self-reported diabetes rates in adults aged under 65 years are slightly higher in Batley and Spen than the Kirklees average (8% and 7%, respectively). People of South Asian ethnicity in this age group are twice as likely to have diabetes than those of white ethnicity (12% vs 6%, respectively). (21)
  • Overall mortality rates in people aged below 75 years are not significantly different from the Kirklees average and are highest for cancer (144.2 per 100,000). Mortality rates in Batley and Spen are slightly higher for respiratory diseases (44.8 vs 37.5 per 100,000 for Kirklees) but slightly lower for all circulatory disease (70.6 vs 79.2 per 100,000 for Kirklees). (5)

Tobacco and alcohol use

  • One in seven (14%) of working age adults regularly smoke, a reduction from almost one in five (19%) adults in 2012. Smoking rates are highest in Liversedge and Gomersal (21%) and lowest in Heckmondwike (8%). This difference is statistically significant. (21)
  • Only one in twenty (5%) adults under 65 years use e-cigarettes. The most common reasons for using e-cigarettes was to help give up smoking (46%), because it is healthier (44%) and because it is cheaper than regular cigarettes (42%). The use of e-cigarettes as a method to cut down or quit cigarettes is supported by their use being almost ten times higher in smokers than non-smokers (19% vs 2%). (21)
  • The proportion of people who drink alcohol is lower than the Kirklees average (68% for Batley and Spen vs 74% for Kirklees). Both figures have fallen slightly since 2012. One in five (20%) of those aged 18-24 drink above the recommended limit of 14 units a week, while more than one in four (27%) of those aged 45-54 exceed recommended limits. (21)
  • Batley and Spen has the lowest self-reported use of illegal or recreational drugs. Only one in seventeen (6%) people aged 18-65 in Batley and Spen report using such substances in the last five years (compared with 9% across Kirklees). Use of illegal substances decreases with age, being highest in those aged 18-24 (one in six (17%)). The most commonly reported drugs used are cannabis (75% of self-reported users), cocaine (25%) and amphetamines (15%). (21)

Working well

Working well infographic

Two key outcomes for Kirklees are that people have aspiration and achieve their ambitions through education, training and lifelong learning and that Kirklees has sustainable economic growth and provides good employment. The benefits to health and emotional wellbeing of good quality employment are well documented. This section highlights those indicators contributing to ‘working well’ in Batley and Spen.

Learning, skills and work

  • Around two in three (64%) working age adults are qualified to at least level 2 (slightly lower than the district as a whole (67%)). Both figures have fallen slightly since 2012 (68% for Batley and Spen and 72% for Kirklees). (21)
  • Around 2.2% of the working age population are claiming Jobseekers Allowance in Batley and Spen. This is similar to the figure across Kirklees (2%). (23)
  • Over half (58%) of the adult population is in employment, with a further one in five people retired (21%) and one in 100 in education (1%). The proportion of working age people in employment was around one and a half times higher for those with at least level two qualifications (82%) compared with those without (54%). (21)
  • Around a quarter of working adults (26%) in Batley and Spen have experienced an illness in the last 12 months which required them to take time off. Of those experiencing an illness, two in three (68%) reported that it resulted in a work absence of over two months. The average number of long-term conditions suffered is associated with length of absence. For those with short absences (less than a week) an average of 2.4 conditions is suffered whereas for those with longer absences (seven to 12 months) an average of 4.6 conditions is suffered). (21)
  • Levels of volunteering are slightly lower in Batley and Spen compared to Kirklees as a whole. In Batley and Spen one in four (26%) adults in the general population gives unpaid help to a group, club or organisation at least once a month. Volunteering is highest amongst those aged 18-24 (29%) and those aged between 65 and 74 (33%). The most commonly provided types of volunteering are visiting people (11%) and leading a group (7%). (21)

Ageing well

Ageing well infographic

The prevalence of common long-term conditions (e.g. heart disease, hypertension, stroke, respiratory disease, diabetes) all increase as people get older, along with other health issues such as visual impairment, mental ill health and physical disabilities. These factors have a significant impact on people’s independence and need for care and support. Prevention and early intervention is therefore vital to enable people be as well as possible for as long as possible, live independently and have control over their lives.

The number and proportion of people aged 65 years and over in Kirklees is projected to rise, from around one in seven people (16%) in 2015 to one in five people (21%) by 2030 (an increase of around 34,000 people).

Emotional health and wellbeing

Older people appear to have higher emotional wellbeing than those of younger age groups. In Batley and Spen those aged 65 years and over have significantly higher emotional wellbeing than adults aged 18-64 years (based on SWEMWBS scores). SWEMWBS scores are similar between Batley and Spen and Kirklees for those aged 65 years and over. (21)

Long-term conditions

  • The prevalence of long-term conditions increases with age and co-morbidity (the existence of more than one disorder or disease at the same time) is most common amongst the older age groups. In Batley and Spen, almost one in two (45%) people aged 65 years or over suffer from three or more long-term health conditions, compared with less than one in three (30%) of those aged 18-64. Problems with mobility and self-care also increase with age. One in three (33%) people in Batley and Spen aged over 65 years has moderate to extreme problems with mobility and almost one in ten (9%) has moderate to extreme problems with self-care. Both of these values are slightly above the Kirklees average (31% and 8%, respectively). (21)
  • The most common long-term conditions reported by those aged 65 years or over are shown below:

Long term conditions 3

  • High blood pressure (almost one in two, 43%); musculoskeletal issues (one in three, 32%); mental health conditions (one in five, 21%); back ache (one in five, 20%) and diabetes (one in five, 20%). The self-reported prevalence of chronic disease also increases with age – comparing those aged 65 or above with those aged 18-64, cancer is eight times more likely (8% vs 1%, respectively); heart disease is four times more likely (17% vs 4%, respectively) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is also four times more likely (8% vs 2%, respectively). (21)
  • One in six people (17%) aged 65 or over report having some health condition which affects their memory. (21)

Tobacco, alcohol and drug use

  • Around one in ten (9%) of those aged 65 years or over are regular smokers, compared with one in seven (15%) of those aged 18-64 years. Those aged 65-74 years have more than double the smoking rate of those aged 75 years or over (12% vs 5%). (21)
  • Only 4% of people aged 65 years or over currently use e-cigarettes in Batley and Spen, which is similar to those aged 18-64 years (5%) and the same as the proportion across Kirklees. (21)
  • Adults aged 65 years or over in Batley in Spen are slightly more likely to drink alcohol than those under 65 years (72% vs 68%, respectively). The proportion drinking above the recommended limit (14 units per week) is much higher in those aged 65-74 years than in those aged 75 years or over (27% vs 12%, respectively). (21)
  • Use of illegal substances is very low in the older population, with less than one in 100 (>1%) people aged over 65 years saying they had used drugs in the last five years. (21)

Remaining healthy, active and independent

  • Almost two in three (63%) people aged 65 years or over are above their healthy weight, with almost one in four (23%) being obese. These are similar to the corresponding rates across Kirklees. (21)
  • Less than half (43%) of people aged 65 years or over undertake 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week. This is slightly higher than the Kirklees average for this age group (39%), but within this group physical activity levels decline with age. (21)
  • One third (33%) of people aged 65 years or over have moderate to severe issues with their mobility and one in four (26%) with typical daily activities (e.g. work, study, housework, family or leisure activities). One in ten have problems with self-care (9%). (21)
  • One in seven (15%) people aged 65 years or over report that they require some assistance to remain living within their own home, similar to the Kirklees average (14%). Of those aged 65 years or over requiring help, one in 10 (10%) are not currently receiving it from family, friends or professional care workers. (21)
  • Over half of people aged 65 years or over (59%) report feeling lonely some, most or all of the time, reducing to around one in 20 (5%) who feel lonely all or most of the time. These values are lower than for those under 65 years in Batley and Spen (61% of those aged 18-64 years feel lonely at least some of the time and 8% all or most of the time). Nine in ten people (91%) of people aged 65 years or over in Batley and Spen have good ‘social connectedness’ (they have someone they count on to comfort them when they are upset or they have someone they can count on to help them out in a crisis). This is the same as the Kirklees average. (21)
  • One in four people aged 65 years or over (24%) has fallen and hurt themselves in the last 12 months, with a quarter of these falls resulting in a broken bone. (21)

People and place

People and place infographic

An individual’s health, emotional wellbeing and quality of life may be improved or adversely affected by their perceptions of, and interactions with, their local area, as well as wider factors such as transport, air quality, finances and housing.

Kirklees partner organisations therefore want people in Kirklees to live in cohesive communities, feel safe, be safe and protected from harm. They also want people to experience a high quality, clean, sustainable and green environment and for Kirklees to have sustainable economic growth and provide good employment.

Adult carers

  • Around one in five (18%) adults in Batley and Spen provide some sort of care for family, friends or neighbours in a voluntary capacity. This is similar across age groups (19% of those aged 65 years or over vs 18% of those aged 18-64 years), although a higher proportion of older people provide round-the-clock care (4% of those aged 65 years or over vs 2% of those aged 18-64 years). (21)
  • Carers providing high levels of care are twice as likely to suffer from ill health as non-carers (22).

The local area

  • More than nine in ten (92%) people have access to green spaces within a mile of their home, although utilisation of green space is lower in Batley and Spen than in Kirklees overall (61% vs 66% respectively have access to and utilise green spaces at least once a month). Usage reduces with age, from around two in three (63%) in those under 65 years to slightly over half (56%) for those 65 years or over. (21)
  • The proportion of people satisfied with their local area as a place to live is slightly lower in Batley and Spen (76%) than for Kirklees (79%). Satisfaction levels increase with age, rising from 57% in those aged 18-24 years to 87% in those aged over 75 years. (21)

Transport

  • Over half (54%) of working people in Batley and Spen travel outside of Kirklees for work, the highest proportion of the four District Committees. Around half of these people (one in four overall (23%) work in Leeds. (21)
  • Around one in three (36%) people report using walking as a method of travel and one in 20 use bicycles for travel (4%); these levels are similar to Kirklees overall. Walking and cycling were more popular as a recreational or leisure activities (53% walking for leisure and 8% cycling for leisure). (21)

Air quality

Air pollution is associated with a number of adverse health impacts. It is recognised as a contributing factor in the onset of heart disease and cancer and linked to asthma, stroke, diabetes, low birth weights and dementia. Additionally, air pollution particularly affects the most vulnerable in society: children and older people, and those with heart and lung conditions. There is also often a strong correlation with inequalities, because areas with poor air quality are also often the less affluent areas

The annual health cost to society of the impacts of particulate matter alone in the UK is estimated to be around £16 billion (24).

The air quality issues within Kirklees are focussed around the road network connecting the towns, and traffic which passes between the West Yorkshire conurbation along the M62 and Greater Manchester. Kirklees Council have conducted monitoring across the district where these primary roads are in close proximity to relevant human activity. To date Kirklees has identified two primary pollutants of concern. They are Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Particulate Matter (PM). Current trends indicate that the levels of these pollutants have fallen over the last 5 years, but the UK Air Quality Objectives (AQO) are still exceeded in some areas within Kirklees.

In 2015, NO2 levels at five out eight air quality monitoring sites in Batley and Spen exceeded the AQO, compared to 17 exceedance sites in 2010 and eight sites in 2014. Kirklees Council continues to conduct air quality improvement projects across the district. The table here lists improvement projects relevant to the Batley and Spen area.

Money

  • Average gross household income in Batley and Spen is £33,622 which is £1,450 below the Kirklees average. Household income has remained fairly stable over the last five years. (25)
  • Around one in five (22%) adults worry about money all or almost all of the time. This proportion is similar to the rest of Kirklees, but lower than the figure for 2012 (26%). Frequent money worries are more common in deprived areas, younger adults and households with children, especially single parents. Money worries are also associated with accommodation type. People who rent their home are almost four times as likely to worry about money, all or most of the time, compared to those who own their own house outright (35% vs 9%, respectively). (21)
  • Almost nine in ten people (86%) are somewhat or very confident in their own ability to budget and pay bills on time. Confidence increases with age and household income, and decreases with deprivation. (21)
  • In 2014 there were 103 per 1000 households in fuel poverty in Batley and Spen, compared with 116 per 1000 in Kirklees overall and 106 per 1000 nationally. In Batley and Spen, fuel poverty rates were highest in Batley East (126 per 1000) and lowest in Liversedge and Gomersal ward (92 per 1000). (26)

Housing

  • The median [1] house price in Batley and Spen in 2015 was £120,000. This is lower than the Kirklees median of £130,000 and one of the lowest of the sub-areas in Kirklees identified in our Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA).(27)

[1] The median is the middle value in a series of values arranged from smallest to largest

  • Most adults consider their home to be suitable for their needs. However, one in eight (12%) householders overall (including one in five (19%) South Asian householders and almost one in six (18%) 18-24 year old householders) consider their home unsuitable for their needs. Perceived housing suitability is lowest in Batley East ward (82%) and highest in Cleckheaton (95%). Compared to Cleakheaton, Batley East, Batley West, Heckmondwike and Liversedge and Gomersal have significantly lower proportion of people perceiving their housing as suitable. (21)
  • The prevalence of overcrowded housing is the same as the Kirklees average (approximately one in 17 households, 7%). This figure is higher for South Asian households in Batley and Spen (one in four households, 24%). (21)
  • Self-perceived housing suitability is higher amongst older people (93% of those aged 65+ felt their home to be suitable vs 87% of aged 18-64). (21)

Community cohesion

  • A summary of reported crime statistics for Batley and Spen can be found in this Kirklees Observatory profile: http://observatory.kirklees.gohttps://observatory.kirklees.gov.uk/crime-and-community-safety/report/view/9cc8c72c1c704848b531029c6f867871/DC01v.uk/profiles/profile?profileId=132
  • Most (85%) 14 year olds feel safe when at school. This is the same as the Kirklees average, but a reduction from the 2009 figure (91% in Batley and Spen). (13)
  • Most (81%) 14 year olds feel safe when they are in the community. This is similar to 2009 (83%) and higher than Kirklees overall (78%). Most (70%) 14 year olds also feel safe when they were on public transport. This is the same as the Kirklees average but lower than in 2009 (75%). (13)
  • In 2014, over half (59%) of 14 year olds said that people of different ages get on well together. (13)
  • Over half (58%) of adults in Batley and Spen agree their local area is a place where people treat each other with respect and consideration (compared with 63% in Kirklees overall). This increases to 68% amongst those of South Asian ethnicity. The rate is highest in Liversedge and Gomersal (63%) and lowest in Batley West (53%), although these differences are not statistically significant. (21)
  • Four in five (79%) South Asian adults agree their local area is a place where people from different ethnic backgrounds get on well together, compared with to under half (45%) of white adults. Both figures have increased since 2012. (21)
  • The proportion of people who agree their local area is a place where people pull together to improve things is lower in Batley and Spen (35%) than in Kirklees as a whole (39%), and is higher in older adults. (21)
  • Eight in ten people aged 65 years or over (83%) are satisfied with their local area as a place to live, compared to seven in ten for those 18-64 years (74%). Older people are also more likely to agree that their local area is a place where people treat each other with respect (66% vs 56%) and trust one another (55% vs 46%). (21)
  • Two in three (66%) people in Batley and Spen agree with the statement that their local area is a place where people of different ages get on well, with no difference between age groups. (21)

Assets

Health assets are those things that enhance the ability of individuals, communities and populations to maintain and sustain health and well-being. These include things like skills, capacity, knowledge, networks and connections, the effectiveness of groups and organisations and local physical and economic resources.

Assets are hugely important to how we feel about ourselves, the strength of our social and community connections and how these shape our health and wellbeing.

As part of our KJSA development we are piloting a range of methods to capture and understand the assets that are active in Kirklees. Please see the assets overview section for more information about our approach. We want to understand more about how these assets improve health and wellbeing directly or indirectly by, for example, providing space, support, companionship or guidance around a common interest or need such as mental or emotional health problems. This knowledge will help us understand where the gaps in assets might be and where additional support or investment would benefit local communities.

The community assets in Batley and Spen summarised here were identified during a ‘Connecting Colleagues’ event in winter 2016. The assets relate to just a few of the key issues identified in the KJSA and are not the whole picture of assets in Batley and Spen. This information will be reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis.

Groups, events and activities

Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) is an approach used by community engagement officers to encourage greater connections between people in communities and an opportunity for people to be more aware of their local assets. It focuses on raising awareness of the talents and skills people already have. It encourages people to recognise what is good about where they live, think more positively about what is around them and what can be achieved by working collectively together. This approach is developed to encourage sustained community activity which is community led and lasts beyond the engagement officer’s input.

Some local community groups and residents from different age groups in Batley and Spen have been supported by community engagement officers to plan and engage in events to improve wellbeing. These have included:

  • a street party in Firthcliffe Estate to identify street connectors who then developed a number of successful activities such as, swim fit, cook and eat and street bikes;
  • a Wellington Court wellbeing group focussing on activities such as using photographs of old Batley and chair based exercises to ‘connect’ older people with each other;
  • successful completion of FINE ‘cook and eat’ training sessions by residents from the Windybank area and the securing of funding to provide future FINE training sessions for local residents.

Schools as community hubs

Schools engage with families and children every day and they have a valuable position within our communities. It is therefore critical that the council, schools and their partners work more closely together as we begin to shape future services.

In Batley and Spen there are a number of schools developing partnership arrangements which support health improvement. Each partnership is committed to working to a collective vision of: Strong partnerships of schools (hubs) as the vehicle for delivering a range of services for children, families and the wider community.

Emerging outcomes for the partnerships include improving health and social care outcomes for children and families, making the most of local insight and intelligence to respond to local need and statutory responsibilities, making the most of resources and assets (including their school), supporting locally delivered services and community based solutions where relationships with children and families are key, wrap around family care and universal, prevention interventions.

For example, in the Firthcliffe area the local primary school Millbridge was a key asset for the ‘Cook and eat’ group. The school community room was used for the healthy cook and eat sessions. The group was later successful in their funding bid for the refurbishment of the kitchen facilities. The school also allocated support staff time to enable increased parental involvement in the sessions. In partnership with the school further projects were delivered including cycling sessions for vulnerable families which engaged children and parents with cycling and the promotion of health and wellbeing. As part of the ‘It’s Up to You’ project, Carlinghow Princess Royal Primary school (in the Wilton area) played a major role by acting as the community hub, using their facilities for the event and to engage with the wider community.

Active travel

The Kirklees Cycling and Walking Strategic Framework and its associated Delivery Plan will help make cycling and walking more attractive for local journeys, benefiting all sectors of the Batley and Spen community and helping to raise awareness and understanding of the benefits of active travel. These documents will also influence other people’s agendas and decision makers in the allocation of resources.

Already in existence is the Spen Valley Greenway (SVG). The SVG greenway uses a disused railway line running near the River Spen between the towns of Cleckheaton, Dewsbury and Heckmondwike, eventually leading to Bradford.

What could commissioners/ service planners/ Councillors consider?

Build on existing community assets

It is important that commissioners, service planners and Councillors understand and consider local community assets such as those outlined above. This should be done on an ongoing basis so that they can support and build on local strengths and also understand where there are gaps and unmet needs in particular places or amongst particular communities.

Work with Schools as Community Hubs and other partnerships/services

  • Look for opportunities to support the development of schools as community hubs as described above. There are opportunities to use the hubs as a new context for existing work and also to develop new ideas directly with hubs. The hubs are increasingly becoming a focus for the recommissioning of a range of existing services, and provide an infrastructure for sharing intelligence, identifying and responding to local needs.
  • All service providers – such as schools, GPs, pharmacies, youth services – whose work has an influence on emotional wellbeing and/or sexual health, are encouraged to work alongside the new sexual health services in Kirklees. These have recently been redesigned with an increased focus on prevention of poor sexual health including closer working with schools and more outreach work in communities.

Support healthy ageing:

  • Develop peer support programmes for older people to address social isolation.
  • Promote and support local community activities that aim to improve mood and social connectedness amongst older people.
  • Promote dementia-friendly communities.
  • Promote a positive representation of ageing and older age.

Support improved emotional health and wellbeing

  • Support the local Kirklees suicide prevention action plan by:
    – overcoming barriers to men accessing help (which links to good lifelong mental health starting in childhood);
    – assessing and treating everyone who presents with depression or anxiety in primary or secondary care with rapid access to support and treatment;
    – working with the public and voluntary sector to raise awareness of risk factors linked to suicide.
  • Integrate existing mental health services into ‘ordinary’ services away from traditional health settings to reach more men.
  • Work to promote workplace wellbeing within all types of organisations. Good quality employment is known to aid recovery and be a protective factor for good mental health.
  • Support interventions to tackle social isolation and loneliness for working age adults as this group is more likely to develop mental health problems.(28)
  • Promote existing local mental health support groups (listed in the Community Directory (29) to maximise the potential reach across the district.

Support initiatives that improve quality of life and of local places and communities

Community cohesion

  • Continue to develop community cohesion work in Batley and Spen and work with communities to build a clear understanding of community assets.

Housing and money

  • Develop strategies to tackle the roots of fuel poverty, specifically boosting household income, improving energy efficiency and reducing energy costs.
  • Work to ensure that local residents can access suitable housing, manage their own housing needs effectively and live in homes that are suitable for their needs.
  • Work with communities to ensure they are confident and able to manage their own money effectively.

Air quality and active travel

  • Whilst the levels of nitrogen oxide in Batley and Spen are reducing, there are no safe levels of air pollution. Partners should continue to work holistically across the district and enable the local community to contribute to improvements in air quality, beginning with communicating the facts about air pollution. Examples include replacing short car journeys by walking or cycling. This will encourage physical activity, improve air quality and help to reduce obesity and increase emotional wellbeing.
  • Work to address the concerns of pedestrians and cyclists by tackling the perceived and real fears associated with cycling and walking, including reducing traffic volume and speed in line with current evidence.
  • Create coherent, safe, high quality cycling and walking networks , including cycle parking, both on and off road, utilising Greenstreets principles, where appropriate, to mitigate flooding and air pollution – ensuring that the recommended hierarchy of consideration is applied, i.e. 1) Pedestrians 2) Cyclists before other road users; ensuring that maintenance of these routes is accommodated for.
  • Promote the district of Batley and Spen as a cycling and walking destination for visitors.

References and additional resources/links 

References

  1. Office for National Statistics. Ward-level mid-year population estimates [Internet]. 2016. Available from: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/datasets/wardlevelmidyearpopulationestimatesexperimental
  2. Office for National Statistics. Birth Summary by District Committee. 2015;
  3. Office for National Statistics. Birth Summary Table 2015 [Internet]. 2015. Available from: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/livebirths/datasets/birthsummarytables
  4. Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust & Mid-Yorkshire Hospitals Trust. Maternity Indicators 2014-15. 2015.
  5. Office for National Statistics. Primary Care Mortality Database 2012-14. 2014.
  6. West Yorkshire Central Services Agency. Local resident population (GP registrations). 2013;
  7. Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust & Mid-Yorkshire Hospitals Trust. Breastfeeding at delivery by ward. 2016.
  8. Kirklees Council. Infants fully or partially breastfed at 6-8 weeks FQ03 15-16 [Internet]. Available from: http://observatory.kirklees.gov.uk/dataviews/tabular?viewId=532&geoId=145&subsetId=
  9. Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust & Mid-Yorkshire Hospitals Trust. Breastfeeding at 6 to 8 weeks. 2016.
  10. Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust & Mid-Yorkshire Hospitals Trust. Smoking at delivery. 2016.
  11. Sharma S, Dubinett S, Salgia R. Maternal Smoking during Pregnancy and Its Effect on Childhood Asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2012;186(10):940–1.
  12. Kirklees Council. Good level of development. 2015.
  13. Kirklees Council. Children and Young People’s Survey 2014. 2014.
  14. von Soest T, Mossige S, Stefansen K, Hjemdal O. A Validation Study of the Resilience Scale for Adolescents (READ). J Psychopathol Behav Assess [Internet]. 2010;32(2):215–25. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10862-009-9149-x
  15. Health and Social Care Information Centre. National Child Measurement Programme 2015-16. 2016.
  16. Office for National Statistics. Teenage conception data 2012-14. 2014.
  17. Department for Education. GCSE results 2015-16. 2016.
  18. Kirklees Council. School census. 2014.
  19. Kirklees Council. NEET people age 16 to 19 [Internet]. 2015. Available from: http://observatory.kirklees.gov.uk/dataviews/tabular?viewId=532&geoId=145&subsetId=
  20. Tennant R, Hiller L, Fishwick R, Platt S, Joseph S, Weich S, et al. The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS): development and UK validation. Health Qual Life Outcomes [Internet]. 2007;5:63. Available from: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2222612&tool=pmcentrez&rendertype=abstract
  21. Kirklees Council;, NHS Greater Huddersfield CCG;, NHS North Kirklees CCG. Current Living in Kirklees Survey 2016. 2016.
  22. Department of Health. Our Health and Wellbeing Today. 2010.
  23. NOMIS. Official labour market statistics. 2015.
  24. Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra). Air Quality: Economic Analysis [Internet]. Gov.uk – Guidance. 2015. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/air-quality-economic-analysis
  25. Kirklees Council. Mean gross household income. 2016.
  26. Department of Energy & Climate Change. 2014 sub-regional fuel poverty data: low income high costs indicator [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2016 Sep 30]. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/2014-sub-regional-fuel-poverty-data-low-income-high-costs-indicator
  27. Kirklees Council. Kirklees Strategic Housing Market Assessment 2015. 2015;(6205180). Available from: http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/planning-policy/pdf/strategic-housing-market-assessment.pdf
  28. Pulkki-Råback L, Kivimäki M, Ahola K, Joutsenniemi K, Elovainio M, Rossi H, et al. Living alone and antidepressant medication use: a prospective study in a working-age population. BMC Public Health [Internet]. 2012;12(1):236. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-236
  29. Kirklees Council. Community Directory – Mental health resources [Internet]. Available from: http://communitydirectory.kirklees.gov.uk/communityDirectory/search.aspx?q=S01/03/07. [Accessed 22 12 2015]

Further details

An overview profile for the Batley and Spen district committee is available on the Kirklees Observatory. This profile provides key statistics in the form of tables and charts covering the following themes; population, housing, employment, deprivation, crime, education and the economy.
Ward level profiles can be found on the Local Health web site (requires Flash Player):
Batley East | Batley West | Birstall and Birkenshaw |Cleckheaton|Heckmondwike|Liversedge and Gomersal

Further information about the local housing market can be found in the following documents:
The Private Rented Market in Kirklees | Kirklees Strategic Housing Market Assessment

Community assets identified at ‘Connected Colleagues’ event (Winter 2016): http://observatory.kirklees.gov.uk/Custom/Resources/Assets_in_Batley_and_Spen_030217.pdf

Additional web resources

Community Directory (support groups, etc): http://communitydirectory.kirklees.gov.uk/communityDirectory/

Health & Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) Indicator Portal has now been rebranded as NHS Digital: https://digital.nhs.uk/

Kirklees Observatory: http://observatory.kirklees.gov.uk/

Nomis labour official market statistics: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/

Office for National Statistics: http://www.ons.gov.uk

Public Health Outcomes Framework (PHOF): http://www.phoutcomes.info

Date this section was last reviewed 

30/01/2017 HB