Equality Information
The Vale of Glamorgan Council covers 33,097 hectares with 53
kilometres of coastline including 19 kilometres of Heritage coast.
The Vale consists of both urban centres and rural communities, with
a diverse population.
The latest population estimate for the Vale is
124,869 (2008 mid-year estimate). It is expected to remain
stable for the next ten years. However, the number of households
will grow as average household size reduces. The age profile of the
Vale’s population is also expected to change; the number of
children (age 0-15) is forecast to rise from 22,688 in 2007 to
24,042 in 2021 whilst the number of people aged 65+ will increase
from 21,558 in 2007 to 30,027 in 2021.
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Population
The 2001 census showed that the area’s Black,
Asian and Ethnic minority (BAME) population was 2.2%. Of the 2.2%,
1% were mixed race people and 0.6% were Asian. The census data
indicated that the highest percentage of the BAME population was
based in the wards of Llandough, St Augustine’s and Sully (at 4%,
3.6% and 3.2% respectively). It is possible, however, that these
figures have changed since 2001. The most recent estimates
available from the Welsh Assembly Government’s statistical website,
STATSWALES, are for 2007. These estimate the BAME population
to be 4.1%, almost double the amount in 2001. Of these, 1.2%
are mixed race people, 1.5% are Asian or Asian British, 0.4% are
Black or Black British and 0.9% are from other ethnic groups.
Older BAME People
The age structure of black & minority
ethnic groups is important to consider when analysing educational
and labour market participation and other services that are aimed
at particular groups. Both white non-British and black and minority
ethnic residents are more likely to be in younger age groups than
white British residents.
Black and minority ethnic older people are
particularly vulnerable to social exclusion and have issues around
access to services and information. There is a higher
proportion of older people with mental health problems because of
the ageing process. Older BAME people can face barriers to service
provision in relation to language, cultural differences and beliefs
about mental health issues.
Age
The 2001 census indicated that 21.5% of the
population was aged 0-15, 59.1% of the residents were of working
age and 19.4% were of retirement age. The age profile of the Vale’s
population is expected to change; the number of children (age 0 -
15) is forecast to rise from 22,688 to 24,042 whilst people of
pensionable age is forecast to increase from 21,558 to
30,027. STATSWALES mid year estimates for 2007 show the BAME
population to be 5.3 % age 0 – 15, 4.7% age 16 - 64/59 and 1.2% age
65/60 and over.
Gender
The 2001 Census indicated that there were
57,356 (48.1%) males, and 61,936 (51.9%) females.
More recent estimates available for 2007 from
the Welsh Assembly Government’s statistical website, STATSWALES,
show little difference. These estimate that there are 48.3%
males (1.1% of whom are BAME people) and 51.7% females (3.6% of
whom are BAME people).
Transgender
It is important for us to understand the
transgender population in the Vale of Glamorgan. However,
there is little statistical information to guide us on this.
The Gender Identity Research and Education Society (GIRES)
published a report in June 2009, ‘Gender Variance in the UK:
Prevalence, Incidence, Growth and Geographic Distribution’ which
has been used here to develop an understanding of prevalence and
issues.
Transgender is a broad term that includes all
those who experience some degree of gender variance, which in most
cases, requires no medical intervention. Transexual applies
to people whose gender dysphoria is of such severity that they have
to deal with it by transitioning, usually with medical assistance,
to a gender role different from that assigned to them at birth.
Given that this transition is often visible, they are at great risk
of transphobic bullying and hate crime. Those who do not
transition are still at risk of exposure, especially if they engage
in cross dressing. The GIRES research analyses data on
prevalence by police area. It shows that prevalence in South
Wales is 22 per 100, 000 people of 16 years of age and over,
slightly higher that the national average of 20 per 100,000.
There are no statistics available specifically for the Vale of
Glamorgan. The research suggests that the growth rate for
people who are presenting as transgender is 15% per annum. As a
service provider and employer, the Council needs to be aware of
this group who, whether or not they present for medical treatment,
may still experience discrimination and be vulnerable to bullying
and hate crime. Schools also need to note that incidence
amongst young people is doubling every five years.
Disability
According to the 2001 census, 19.8% of people
in the Vale of Glamorgan declared they have a limiting long-term
illness which limits their daily activities or the work they can
do, including problems that are due to old age, with 6.4% being
permanently sick or disabled. For 2009 the Welsh Government stated
that 18.7% (13 800) of the Vale's population were disabled.
Religion and Belief
73% of the community identified their religion
as Christian in the 2001 census, with about 1% describing
themselves as belonging to a different religion, and around 18% of
the community stating they had no religion.
Welsh Language
The 2001 Census showed that the number of
people who speak, read or write Welsh in the Vale of
Glamorgan was 11%, with 14% being able to understand some
Welsh.
The Council meets its obligation to produce a
Welsh Language Scheme, as required by the Welsh Language Act
1993. Issues relating to the Welsh language are not
incorporated into this scheme unless they require integration with
the needs of another equality strand.
Sexual Orientation
Sexual orientation has not been included as a
census category and is unlikely to be in the 2011 Census.
However, according to government estimates, lesbian, gay and
bisexual people comprise around 6% of the population, that is about
3.6 million people or 1.7 million of the UK workforce.
Gypsies and Travellers
Gypsies and Irish Travellers are recognised
ethnic groups for the purposes of the Race Relations Act,
identified as having a shared culture, language and beliefs.
National research indicates that gypsies and travellers are more
likely to be unqualified, unemployed and have more health issues
including a higher infant mortality rate and a lower lifespan than
the national average. A small number of gypsies and travellers
visit the Vale, usually for family events or to look for seasonal
work. The Council does not currently provide gypsy and
traveller sites for long or short-term use. There can be
tensions between gypsies and Irish travellers and the rest of the
local community. Gypsies and Irish travellers can suffer
considerable discrimination, harassment and even violence. In the
past, there has been limited information available relating to the
movement of gypsies and travellers in the Vale of Glamorgan.
However, in response to travellers using land in Penarth in
2009, the Council has established a co-ordinated reporting
system. All interested parties are informed when there are
gypsies and travellers in the area. Cardiff Gypsy and
Traveller Project helps us with this work and sends out a member of
their team with an agreed list of questions. In this way, we
ensure that when gypsies and travellers arrive in this area, their
needs are identified.
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
Asylum seekers and refugees make up 0.3% of
the Welsh population. The Vale of Glamorgan is not a
designated dispersal area for asylum seekers and refugees.
Home Office figures indicate that at the end of June 2008, 2,135
asylum seekers were receiving accommodation and/or subsistence from
the Home Office in Wales. Of these, 1,221 were based in
Cardiff. Once asylum seekers have been granted refugee
status, they are undifferentiated from other individuals in generic
government data sets so it is difficult to establish whether any
have settled in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Migrant Workers
Since 2004, when ten new member states joined
the European Union, the number of European economic migrants
entering and living in the Vale of Glamorgan has risen
significantly. This rise is reflected in the number of National
Insurance registrations in the Vale of Glamorgan: 70 from European
migrants and 40 from migrants from A8 countries in 2004-05, rising
to 200 and 120 respectively in 2005-06. While the numbers
reflect changes in migration, according to anecdotal evidence, they
may not reflect the real size of migrant population in the local
area. In terms of the influx of different nationalities, the
largest in number is the Polish community, followed by Czech,
Slovak and Lithuanian. In the Vale, these communities are mostly
settled in Barry and Penarth. Statistically migrants are
predominantly young and single with good level of education (mainly
with A-levels and often up to degree level and above). In recent
years, the number of migrant families settling in the area has
significantly increased, which is reflected by the increasing
number of children in schools. The school population comprises 8%
of its population from ethnic minority communities, and within this
group, 30% are in the process of acquiring English as an Additional
Language. This places the Vale of Glamorgan as being the
local authority with the fourth largest number of pupils from
ethnic minority backgrounds in Wales. Issues generally faced by
economic migrants include language barriers, lack of information on
public services, accessing affordable and suitable housing and
understanding the housing system, understanding employment and
housing rights (leading to problems of exploitation), accessing
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses, experiences
of isolation and discrimination. The Council’s Open Learning Centre
and Barry College offer a range of ESOL courses which help people
from other countries newly arrived in the Vale to learn English and
adapt to a different way of life.