DC KÄRRA-RÖDBO
www.karra.goteborg.se
Families with children are streaming into Kärra-Rödbo. A new pre-school was opened recently and plans are being drawn up to rebuild another school, Lillekärrskolan. Other initiatives in the district include an after-school club that will focus on animals and nature, and the creation of “Gardens for the Senses” next to the district’s two homes for the elderly.
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| The first figure is for the district and the second for Göteborg in total during 2002, unless otherwise stated. | ||
| No. of inhabitants | 10,544 | (474,877) |
| Percentage of children 0–15 | 23.8 | (17.3) |
| Percentage of pensioners over 65 | 12.5 | (14.7) |
| Average income, KSEK (over 16) 2000 | 189.6 | (174.6) |
| Percentage of job applicants 18–64 | 2.5 | (4.1) |
| Percentage of people with higher education (20–64) 2001 | 19.3 | (38.9) |
| Percentage of gainfully employed (20–64) 2000 | 82.2 | (69.5) |
| Percentage on social security benefits | 3.7 | (9.5) |
| Social security benefits paid, SEK per inhabitant* | 662 | (2,128) |
| * Excl. introduction remuneration. | ||
The Rödbo area is close to Kungälv and previously belonged to the municipality of Kungälv. An agreement between the municipalities allows residents of Rödbo to choose pre-schools, schools and accommodation for the elderly in the municipality of Kungälv.
Development work began in the north Kärra area, including Gerrebacka, in the mid-nineties and is not yet complete. People are steadily moving into this area.
The compact size of the district and easy access to services facilitates the preventive social work that has been carried out for many years. The organizations contributing to this work include the church and primary care services, as well as the district’s own services. Collaboration has taken place partly within the framework of the Delta project and in other forms. Cooperation between the district administration, local associations and companies is well developed. One goal is to strengthen the identity of the district and the sense of belonging among residents by arranging community events. Several traditional events are held each year, including an Easter bonfire, Midsummer celebrations, Lucia festival and New Year party.
The major influx of families with children has meant that demand for places in schools and pre-schools has increased considerably. A new pre-school with five departments has been built alongside the existing one in Gerrebacka. This was opened in January 2003.<7p>
A new after-school club opened in the autumn term in Tolsered in north Kärra. The club is run in cooperation between the district administration and the 4H (Head, Heart, Hand and Health) organization, and focuses on animals and nature.
The district committee has taken the decision to rebuild a school – Lillekärrskolan – to provide places for around 500 pupils. This will accommodate the growth in the number of pupils and replace all the temporary school buildings in the district. The school will also have a new catering kitchen.
The district committee has also submitted a proposal for the construction of a new sports hall in the district, next to the new school. The new sports hall is needed to meet the needs of the school itself and of local associations and residents. The Sports and Associations Committee, which is responsible for issues concerning sports halls, will have primary responsibility for planning. Several groups of children, young people, association representatives and staff have been brought together in focus groups to give their views, which will be taken into consideration during planning.
For a number of years all young people in school years 8 and 9 have been offered the chance to spend three weeks gaining work experience during summer, and pupils in year 8 are also invited to spend two weeks at a technical summer school. Work experience places are available in the district administration’s own services and in the Church of Sweden and various associations. In 2002 over 50 per cent of pupils gained work experience and attended summer school. Everyone who applied for work experience was given a place.
Garden for the senses wins tasty prizeBoth of the district’s homes for the elderly now have their own “Gardens for the Senses”. This has helped create a better outdoor environment and improved quality of life for elderly residents. The gardens have paths for walking, spring wells, planted areas and pavilions for entertainment and gatherings. Kärrahus home for the elderly won a special prize for its garden in a competition for all the City’s homes for the elderly. The prize consisted of a dinner for the residents cooked by the Chef of the Year.
At year-end a public health council was set up comprising representatives from the district committee and various organizations active in the district. Local public health work is intended to promote citizens’ health and prevent illness. A public health plan has been adopted that identifies priority issues for the period 2002–2003. These issues are women’s health, relationships and parenting, stress and integration and diversity.
The district committee has continued to work on developing local democracy. All new residents of the district are sent a folder containing information about the activities of the committee and the administration. The district’s own website gives residents the opportunity to discuss matters with politicians and civil servants. All the committee’s meetings are open for public attendance.
Residents can submit citizens’ suggestions direct to the district committee. Those who make suggestions have the opportunity to put forward their views at the district meetings. Around twenty citizens’ suggestions were submitted during the year. The suggestions covered a variety of areas: from proposed changes to the committee’s own activities, to issues concerning traffic, safety and commercial services.
A further step is the establishment of a citizens’ forum in 2003. This means that once a month the committee’s politicians will invite citizens to discuss opinions and ideas.
A major EU project involving the district’s two homes for the elderly came to an end during the year. As a result of cooperation with the Public Employment Service, unemployed people, particularly long-term unemployed immigrant women, have gained work experience and temporary employment while regular staff were on training courses. This project has succeeded well in its goal of creating continued work or training for the unemployed and improving the job skills of existing staff.
Svankällan is situated north of Kärra and Gerrebacka. It is a piece of countryside with a strong cultural heritage. The brook flowing through the area was dammed in the early twentieth century to create ponds for fish farming. These still exist as overgrown wetlands.
During 2003, conservation work will be carried out in the area and the water level will be raised. This will create a wetland park that will offer many benefits. It will provide an area where flora and fauna can thrive, while also making Svankällan accessible to young and elderly people alike. New paths, a bird-watching tower and a lookout point will make this an unusual country park and heritage park for everyone.