Growth and development.pdf

1. Profile at 2002A medium sized authority, North Ayrshire has a population of 138,900.The local population is expected to fall by 4.1% over the next 14 years. The younger agegroups are likely to decrease by more than the national average and over 60s are forecast toincrease at a greater rate than for Scotland as a whole.Although it has fallen slightly, at 6.6% (January 2002), the local unemployment rate is the highestin Scotland. 65% of working age people are working compared to a Scottish average of 73%.The rate of problem drug misuse is below average (1.8% of 15-54 year olds).The rate of reported crime was below the Scottish average at 770 per 10,000 of population in 2001.The Council has a streamlined Service Committee system focusing on policy, service planningand performance management.Community care, children and families and criminal justice social work are part of a SocialServices Group led by a Corporate Director who also carries the responsibilities of chief socialwork officer. Recent restructuring has clarified senior management responsibilities. Previously,generic Area Teams managed all local services. Management arrangements are now organisedwith a functional split giving clearer lines of accountability for service management anddevelopment. The introduction of Reception Services is designed to provide an improvedresponse to initial inquiries and to free up practitioner time.302010Expected % change in population, 2000-2016,local and national comparisons by age bandPercent0-10-20-30-40Under 5 5-14 15-29 30-44 45-59 60-74 75+AgeScotlandNorth Ayrshire177