Issues and SWOT: Stafford

strength

Stone has a refurbished park for varied activities

Westbridge Park offers renewed play, sports, paths and public facilities.

Proposed response: Keep accessible routes and facility information current.

Evidence

strength

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £901 a month (August 2026) in Stafford council area. This is £558 lower than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 8.5% in Haywood & Hixon to 36.4% in Forebridge — a gap of 28 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.

strength

Bring support closer to people in poor health

4.9% of people reported bad or very bad health in Stafford council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 3% in Milwich to 8% in Penkside — a gap of 5 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.

strength

Connect local skills to local opportunities

35.1% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Stafford council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 10.9% in Rowley to 22.4% in Penkside — a gap of 11.6 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.

weakness

Large town-centre sites still need new uses

The council has acquired former retail premises and is seeking development partners.

Proposed response: Keep vacant sites safe and explain their next decision.

Evidence

opportunity

Stafford can connect new uses with improved public space

The completed Market Square and approved development framework provide a basis for the next phase.

Proposed response: Test proposed uses with residents and existing businesses.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

23% of people in Stafford council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 10.8% in Coton to 31.8% in Barlaston — a gap of 21 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

Target safety work where problems repeat

Mapped police records are available for neighbourhoods in Stafford 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

4 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 8.3% in Milford to 23.6% in Penkside — a gap of 15.3 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

Land and governance issues can delay the station scheme

The June performance review identifies both as causes of slippage.

Proposed response: Set out the unresolved agreements and decision owners.

Evidence