The Research and Consultation department at the Council has recently put together profiles for the 52 wards of Cheshire East.
These profiles have primarily been produced for the councillors and other Cheshire East departments to assist them when planning services and policies. Whilst this project was internally driven the profiles will also be of interest to members of the public because they contain statistics regarding population, unemployment, house prices and income.
With nearly 5000 residents Alderley Edge ward is one of the smallest in Cheshire East and the age profile is slightly older than the Cheshire East average - we have the 8th highest proportion of residents over the age of 65 at 23.4%.
Average household incomes in the Alderley Edge ward are the 6th highest in Cheshire East at £45,200, which is 39% above the average, and house prices are also above average.
Our ward has the 4th highest proportion of second homes in Cheshire East, the 5th highest proportion of properties empty for more than six months and the 7th highest proportion of households receiving a single occupier discount off their Council Tax.
Recent educational results are also above average, although this is based on a small number of pupils, and crime rates are slightly below average.
One of my initial thoughts when I saw these ward profiles was why have they been produced now when the census has recently been carried out but during my visit to the Cheshire East Council offices on Friday, June 11th, I learnt that we will have to wait until September 2012 for the first release of census information and there has not yet been an official announcement as to whether the information will be released at ward level.
Councillor David Brown, Cabinet member with responsibility for performance and capacity, said: "Requests for ward profiles and ward level information are received quite frequently by the Council's research and consultation team.
"Following a Boundary Commission review, there are now 52 wards in Cheshire East, but from a statistical perspective, there is very little 'off-the-shelf' information available for them all.
"As there have been many changes to existing wards, and new wards created, the profiles were designed to assist existing ward councillors to further understand their area, and particularly to help inform new councillors.
"The profiles are also useful for council departments, external partners and other interested parties and they help to inform decision making, strategies and policies.
"Meanwhile, the Census response information is not likely to be released by the ONS until at least September. The results will be vital for planning Council services as it is the most comprehensive and robust survey conducted of residents.
"It is used to support decision making, investment in local services and policy in areas such as housing, employment and transport. Population estimates taken from the Census are used to determine the amount of funding for a range of local services including hospitals, GPs and the police and fire services."
The Alderley Edge Ward profile along with those from local areas can be viewed on the Cheshire East website.
