Areas of opportunity and challenge

We are a highly polarised Borough - one of the most polarised in the country - where affluent areas sit alongside places of significant deprivation. High value business and residential areas are in close proximity to many social and economic challenges, that affect the opportunities and life chances of a large proportion of our residents.

This Plan builds upon our fantastic assets and a strong record of success, whilst also recognising the challenges facing our communities and our economy.

Strengths

We have strong foundations to build on as we work towards delivering our ambitions.

Economy

We are a well-managed council in strong financial health with an excellent track record of delivery. As the economic centre of Tees Valley, with high value clusters and a higher economic output than large northern cities, we are ideally placed to attract investment to grow our business base and our local economy, increasing opportunities for our residents.

Community

We have a thriving Voluntary and Community Sector, and strong communities that are committed to supporting each other. The number of people who give their time through volunteering sits way above the national average. Alongside this, we have an extensive programme of council activity to break down barriers to opportunity. Our Fairer Stockton-on-Tees commitment and Anti-Poverty Strategy are tackling inequalities and ensuring that we deliver targeted support, including around health inequalities and emotional health and well-being.

Digital services

Digital technologies have, and continue to change the way we all live, work and access services. We are a digitally strong borough, sitting well above the national average for Ultrafast broadband coverage, and the number of residents who access the internet. One third of the digital sector in Tees Valley is also located in Stockton-on-Tees - giving us a strong platform for further growth.

Business opportunities

We have high levels of confidence in our town centres and a supply of appropriate brownfield land to be developed, that won't impact on the availability of green space. Our Vision for a Care and Health Innovation Zone, along with our excellent transport assets can act as a springboard for investment, increasing economic growth and opportunities for residents.

Events

As a creative and dynamic events Borough and a place where people want to visit, our thriving cultural offer attracts thousands of visitors each year. Our packed and diverse events programme also provides opportunities for communities to come together, enhancing community cohesion, building pride in place and a sense of belonging.

Health and leisure

We have access to lots of high quality, open green spaces for people to enjoy and for biodiversity to thrive, supporting active and healthy lifestyles through engagement in sport, leisure and options to travel by walking and cycling.

Challenges

The challenges we face to reduce inequality and disadvantage are many and varied, however as we take a proactive approach and work together with our partners and communities to overcome and address them, they are not insurmountable.

Unemployment

Our unemployment rate is higher than the national average and child poverty in the Borough is prevalent, with 1 in 4 children in Stockton-on-Tees living in poverty, rising to 1 in 2 children in some areas of the Borough. Attracting investment and creating jobs will continue to be the focus of the Council to increase opportunity and lift families out of poverty.

Crime

Although crime rates in Stockton-on-Tees are higher than the national average, we have seen some improvements in crime reduction. We are successfully working together with our public sector partners and the voluntary sector to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in high crime rate areas, where we are giving residents opportunities to come together and be involved in shaping their area.

Deprivation

More than one third of our wards are in the 10% most deprived wards in the country and there is a gap of almost 19 years in average life expectancy for females between Stockton Town Centre ward and Ingleby Barwick East ward. Addressing this starts early, and we have associated challenges around levels of exercise and chronic illness. We're committed to fighting this discrepancy and making sure all people enjoy a healthy and happy life in Stockton-on-Tees.