Deprived Central St Leonards - a shock report

The 48-page report reveals that people in the ward are more likely to have health problems and die younger than elsewhere in Hastings and the UK.

A quarter of homes are unfit to live in and over a third do not meet fire safety standards.

Many streets are persistently littered with furniture and dog's mess and bin bags left out are torn apart by seagulls, foxes and rats.

Crime, despite a recent downward trend, is still too high and residents fear they will become victims.

Unemployment stands at 13 per cent with 18 per cent of the working population on income support.

The report is being used to support a bid for 1.75million of regeneration money from Seeda (South East England Development Agency).

The money would potentially be used on a range of projects including:

Better street lighting, which is proven to help reduce crime

New crossings along the A259

Creating civic spaces in places such as the junction of London Road and Kings Road

the look of London Road.

Cllr John Humphries represents Central St Leonards and is also a member of the council's cabinet in charge of housing and neighbourhood renewal.

He said: "Basically we have got to make it a nicer place to live and work. We have got to create housing opportunities alongside jobs.

"This report is about joining up what is going on already and finding out where the gaps are in terms of what is needed in the ward."

The document will be discussed at Monday's cabinet meeting which takes place at the Town Hall from 6pm.

The report is broken down into five different sections: crime, community, housing, environment and jobs.