PEOPLE in Stratford district live a year longer than most.
The latest State of the District report has revealed life expectancy for women in Stratford is 85, compared with 84 across the country, while for men it is 81 compared with a national average of 80.
And it also means the district’s population of 127,580 is among the oldest in the UK – which placed the district 41st among the 430 local authority area in Britain. A quarter of Stratford’s population is over 65, with less than a fifth under age 15.
The health of people is generally better than the England average. Stratford is one of the least deprived areas in the country, with some 1,735 children recorded as living in low income families – less than half the West Midlands average of 20 per cent.
Employment prospects in the district are also better than most. While the unemployment rate is 1,600 – it is around half that of the West Midlands average.
But it remains bad news news for those looking to get on the property ladder with house prices among the highest in the midlands.
The mid value of property was some £320,000 compared to just under £260,000 across Warwickshire, and £240,000 in England.
And housing remains a bone of contention among residents, since along with planning applications, it was among the lowest rated district council services.
Residents were unhappy with Stratford District Council’s commitment to plans, explanations of decisions made and the consideration of objections.
The cost of car parking in the district also rankled with many.
Despite the criticism, the council received an 80 per cent overall satisfaction score – the highest since the survey began in 2002 – with refuse and recycling the top rated services followed by council tax.
The report is set to be discussed by Stratford District Council on Wednesday October 23.
