Issues and SWOT: Cannock Chase

strength

Cannock Park has a new play area

The council confirms the play area is open.

Proposed response: Keep accessible equipment and routes in good condition.

Evidence

strength

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £867 a month (August 2026) in Cannock Chase council area. This is £592 lower than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 11% in Hednesford Green Heath to 22.5% in Western Springs — a gap of 11.5 percentage points.

Housing costs matter most alongside earnings and the number of affordable homes available. A local average cannot tell us whether a particular household can afford its home.

weakness

Rugeley’s trail link needs improvement

The council scheduled surfacing work along Hagley playing fields.

Proposed response: Confirm completion and any remaining access restrictions.

Evidence

weakness

Bring support closer to people in poor health

6.4% of people reported bad or very bad health in Cannock Chase council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 4% in Hednesford Green Heath to 8.7% in Chadsmoor — a gap of 4.7 percentage points.

This is how residents described their health in the census. It can reveal differences between neighbourhoods, but does not diagnose illness or measure current waiting times. Age profiles differ between places, so these shares do not measure service quality.

opportunity

The theatre could remain part of Cannock’s future

Cabinet chose to retain and refurbish the Prince of Wales Theatre.

Proposed response: Publish the proposed programme and operator requirements.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

19.5% of people in Cannock Chase council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 13.6% in Hawks Green with Rumer Hill to 24.4% in Cannock Park & Old Fallow — a gap of 10.8 percentage points.

Age alone does not mean poor health or a need for care. Accessible homes, reliable transport and support close to home matter as people get older.

opportunity

Connect local skills to local opportunities

22.7% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Cannock Chase council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 14.5% in Hawks Green with Rumer Hill to 28.6% in Chadsmoor — a gap of 14.1 percentage points.

Qualifications show one part of the skills available locally. They do not show whether people have secure jobs or work that uses those skills.

opportunity

Target safety work where problems repeat

Mapped police records are available for neighbourhoods in Cannock Chase council area.

Published locations are approximate and some crimes are not mapped. Counts show recorded incidents, not the chance of an individual becoming a victim.

opportunity

Turn published plans into visible progress

3 named local projects or plans have official evidence in this collection.

A published plan makes responsibilities and intentions easier to inspect. It does not prove that funding is secured or that promised benefits have arrived.

opportunity

Target support where disadvantages overlap

Households facing two or more measured disadvantages ranged from 13.8% in Hednesford Green Heath to 29.5% in Chadsmoor — a gap of 15.6 percentage points.

These households met at least two census conditions covering education, employment, health and housing. This is not an income or poverty measure.

threat

The theatre decision still has conditions

Design, operator procurement and a full business case must return before a final commitment.

Proposed response: State the unresolved decisions and who owns each.

Evidence