A Resident's Survey conducted in May 1999 found that over 90 percent of the 1,020 people interviewed wanted the Council to become more involved in social services within the district. At the same time, the Council commissioned a report on social needs by researcher, Gabrielle Hyde. 

An earlier report on community needs in the Malvern part of the district had called on the Council to contribute to social cohesion by taking a more active interest in the needs of youth, elderly and isolated people in the district.  Submissions to Council during the annual budget round made the same point.

Gabrielle Hyde's report, based heavily on official statistics supplemented by interviews with key service providers, identified a range of social needs and made recommendations for Council to consider.

One of these recommendations was to apply to Government for funding to establish a Safer Community Council whose role would be to coordinate services and programmes aimed at keeping Selwyn safe from crime and from the factors that produce crime (e.g. educational failure, lack of youth activities, family stress, poor parenting, truancy, unemployment).

Copies of Gabrielle Hyde's report can be obtained from our offices and libraries, or can be viewed here by clicking on the following PDF files.

• Cover

• Title page and contents

• Map

• Chapter 1: Introduction

• Chapter 2: Population and Income

• Chapter 3: Crime and Safety

• Chapter 4: Health and Housing

• Chapter 5: Home and School

• Chapter 6: Conclusions, References and Appendices

 (Note: If you have trouble opening these files, click here.)

For more information, email our Policy and Communication Adviser, or phone us on (03) 347 2800.