HIDDEN deprivation in the town centre of Cheltenham is likely to be the subject of a new lifting-the-curtain report.
An 'increasing awareness' of issues in the central area of the town has led Councillor Barbara Driver to suggest an in-depth investigation into the issue.
The proposed report, which has received the backing of council officers, would seek to establish the state of living conditions as characterised by the effects of crime and disorder, poor physical and mental health and higher than average unemployment rates.
Mrs Driver said while the council was aware of areas of deprivation in parts of St Paul's, St Mark's and Hester's Way, which are ranked nationally, there were more 'hidden' parts of the town where a full picture was not known.
She believed their plight had not been picked up before because the numbers of people involved might be a lot smaller than in neighbouring areas.
It is hoped the report would shed some light on the issue and increase levels of understanding.
