South West Observatory

Welcome to the South West Observatory - the regional information gateway. Here you can access a network of analysts and information across a broad range of demographic, environmental and economic services. 
 
The Observatory is made up of six Thematic Modules, seven sub-regional Local Intelligence Networks and a co-ordinating core unit. The network is working to a common vision; that policy making in, and about, the south west region should be based on sound evidence. It is the Observatory's aim to be the automatic first port of call for intelligence about the South West region and its parts, with any one of our constituent bodies being a portal to all of our network of experts and resources. 
 
Scroll down this page for information on the latest additions to this site or click the What's New section for updates to the observatory network of websites.

Interactive Network Map

Stakeholder Survey

This is your opportunity to let us know what you think about our services and products.  
 
This short survey will enable us to better understand how useful you've found our current services to be. You can let us know what we're doing well, along with what improvements to information or services you would like to see, as we continue to develop the capacity of the network to better meet the needs of our customers. 
 
Click here to take the survey

State of the South West 2008

Latest additions:

Annual Report 2007/08 
This report covers the Observatory's activities in 2008 and the prospects set out for its future work. Hard copies of the Annual report are available order your copy by contacting: Observatory Enquiries. Previous editions of the annual report are available to download from the South West Observatory Annual Reports page.

Barometer 2008: The latest snapshot of key statistics for the South West region is available. Order your copy of this publication contacting rachel.hartnell@swo.org.uk . The document is also available as a PDF and can be downloaded from South West Barometer: Issue 9. We would like your feedback for this edition of the barometer. A survey can be taken from: Barometer Survey

5th Annual Conference 
South West Futures: Economic prosperity, housing and climate change  
The 5th annual conference brought together policy makers and implementers, information gatherers and analysts to stimulate cross-thematic thinking on the major policy issues facing the region that are likely to be covered in a new Single Regional Strategy: economic prosperity; sustainability and climate change; and housing and population. Profiles of the guest speakers, conference presentations and the Question and Answer sessions are available for download from the 5th Annual Conference page.

South West Universities 
The Observatory is developing its links with the Region's thirteen Higher Education Institutes and their regional association HERDA-SW. The Region's universities and other HEIs are a key source of expertise and information which can be accessed via the common Expert Solutions website.

LAA Indicators 
The LAA section of this site provides detailed lists of the full set of 198 indicators and links to the available resources for each. Information relating to the CLG Data Interchange Hub is also available from these pages. Click the link to access the LAA indicator resources.

Indices of Multiple Deprivation 2007 
The new Index of Multiple Deprivation 2007 (IMD 2007) is a Lower layer Super Output Area (LSOA) level measure of multiple deprivation, and is made up of seven LSOA level domain indices. Summary measures of the IMD 2007 are presented at local authority district level and county council level. The South West regional analysis documentation is now available for download. Click the link for further information Indices of Multiple Deprivation 2007.

Office for National Statistics Evidence Guide 
The ONS have released a document to highlight web based sources of information that can be used to find evidence. It is intended to complement the Observatory information as the ONS form part of the Observatory network. The document can be downloaded from the ONS regional presence page in the information section on this site.

Seminar series 2007/08: The Observatory held free seminars to showcase recent research in the fields of health, skills, planning, biodiversity, the environment, culture and the economy. The seminars were designed to be informative and enjoyable for a non-specialist audience. The seminar presentations are available to download from 2007/08 Half-day Seminar Presentations. 
 
Road Shows 2007/08 From September to March, the Observatory undertook a series of road shows. Each of the Local Intelligence Networks, which broadly encompass the former county geographies, hosted an event. Presentations can be downloaded from the 2007/08 South West Observatory Road Shows page. 
 
For further information about future observatory events please check the Events Calendar.

We are funded by a number of public bodies including the SWRDA, GOSW, SWRA and the Environment Agency South West. 
 
The South West Observatory (Core Unit) is a Company Limited by Guarantee.  
Company Number: 5843785.  
Registered in England and Wales.  
Registered office East Reach House, East Reach, Taunton TA1 3EN.