Boston Castle Ward

Boston Castle Ward Plan

Introduction

Providing vibrant, connected and safe neighbourhoods is a priority for Rotherham Council and communities are at the heart of everything we do. We were elected as your Boston Castle Ward Councillors to listen to your views and work with you to make a difference in the local community.

We know many of our residents are passionate about making their community a better place to live and we are here to work in partnership and make these improvements a reality. In order to develop this Ward plan we spoke to you to find out what matters the most. We did this through a number of events and just by speaking to you whilst out and about in the community.

The priorities laid out in this plan will contribute to three key outcomes which are set out in ‘Thriving Neighbourhoods’, our neighbourhood strategy for 2018- 2025:

  • Neighbourhoods are safe and welcoming with good community spirit
  • Residents are happy, healthy and love where they live
  • Residents use their skills and assets to contribute to the outcomes that matter to them.

We’re now looking forward to working together to make these priorities come to life. The Ward plan will be updated regularly and placed on the Council website so everyone can see what’s being achieved in Boston Castle. If you haven’t yet been involved but want to have your say, it’s not too late. Our contact details are included on our ward page.

The Ward today

Households

  • There are 13,910 residents and 5,818 households - the population has increased by 3.5% since 2011 reflecting an increase in housing stock
  • Of these, 20% rent privately, 55% are owner occupiers and 25% live in council social housing

Deprivation

  • Deprivation is above the borough average but there are large differences within the ward
  • Canklow and the areas around the Town Centre - inner Wellgate and Wharncliffe – are the more deprived parts and amongst the 3% most deprived nationally
  • Deprivation in the rest of the ward varies from high in Clifton to moderate in Broom Valley. By contrast, Moorgate is less deprived than the national average

Health

  • People describing themselves as being in ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ health is above the borough average, along with the figures for those having a limiting long term illness or disability
  • Life expectancy at birth is 2.5 years lower for men and 3 years lower for women when compared with the borough average

Education

  • Primary attainment – i.e. at Key Stage 2/Year 6 in Reading, Writing and Maths – is well above both the borough and national averages but GCSE attainment is slightly below both averages
  • The proportions with higher qualifications/no qualifications are both above borough average which suggests social polarisation within the ward

Crime and anti-social behaviour

  • Recorded crime and anti-social behaviour are well above the borough average but the figures are skewed by the Town Centre

Ward priorities

For the municipal year 2020/21 your ward councillors have taken a look at refreshing the local priorities to help meet the needs of the community. After consulting with partners, internal colleagues and, most importantly, the community, the following priorities have been agreed

  1. We will ensure a co-ordinated response to crime and anti-social behaviour, with a particular focus on Wellgate House, Wharncliffe Flats, Herringthorpe playing fields and Boston Castle Grove
  2. We will continue to update and work with the community on specific local developments
  3. We will seek to examine and address road safety concerns
  4. We will improve and protect the environment
  5. We will continue to celebrate achievements and bring communities together, strengthening a sense of belonging, and support communities and groups in the light of Covid-19