Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is supporting this year’s 2021 Census and is asking all its residents to make sure they take part to help shape future services in our County Borough.
The Census is a survey that happens once, every 10 years and gives a picture and count of all the people and households in England and Wales. It provides a wide range of data from a national to a local level.
The Census statistics are hugely important for local authorities, affecting the amount of funding a local area receives and providing essential information on different demographic groups living in the area, which helps with the planning, development and delivery of local services.
This year will be a “digital-first” Census, as the Census 2021 will be mainly online in a bid to reduce contact and comply with current guidelines during the Covid-19 pandemic. This could be challenging for some residents, but there will be a full range of support services available to anyone who needs assistance, these include:
- comprehensive guidance and support in many languages and formats,
- help in local centres with trained staff and online access,
- a contact centre to provide help via telephone, web chat and social media,
- field staff contacting households that have not yet responded,
- accessible census questionnaires, for example in large print,
- the option to request paper questionnaires.
The Office of National Statistics, who are responsible for the Census will automatically issue paper questionnaires in areas where they’ve identified residents are highly likely to need them.
The survey will ask people to base the information they provide on their circumstances on a single day – Census Day (21st March 2021) so that a clear picture of data can be captured. Residents don’t need to fill in and complete the form on this date. More information regarding completion deadlines will be provided by the Office of National Statistics in the coming weeks.
The information that will be collected during the census will helps to create an in-depth picture of society at this moment in time. By taking part in the 2021 Census residents will be able to play their part in marking this unprecedented, historic period of time and highlight the changes that we have all made during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The details captured will also identify important trends that will help organisations plan services and allocate funding in the future. To achieve this, the census asks questions on a range of topics, including information about:
- individuals, such as their name, age, sex and marital status
- households, such as family relationships
- the homes we live in, such as their location, the number of people living there and what facilities they have.
Councillor Maureen Webber, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Council Business, with responsibility for Equality and Diversity, said: “I would urge all residents to take part in the 2021 Census, it’s not only important that we mark these unprecedented times, but the Census will lay the foundations for future projects and funding here in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
“The 2021 Census will provide an array of valuable information, which will enable the Local Authority to plan and develop local services, as well as affecting the level of funding that we receive from Central Government.
“It is therefore important that the Census is completed by as many people as possible, of all ages and backgrounds from right across our County Borough.”
It’s important that the census sheds light on long-term trends, while also reflecting the changing society in which we live today. The Census 2021 will ask questions on three new topics. These are:
- previous service in the UK Armed Forces
- gender identity
- sexual orientation
There is also an opportunity for primary and secondary aged children to be involved and learn all about how the Census works and the unique data-set that it captures. School across Rhondda Cynon Taf are being encouraged to take part – more details are available at http://census.gov.uk/education.
For more information and to get the latest updates on Census 2021, visit
www.census.gov.uk
Posted on 03/02/2021