Issues and SWOT

strength

Use Arbour Park beyond match days

The stadium provides community-hire facilities.

Local groups can use an established asset.

Evidence

strength

Bring support closer to people in poor health

3.7% of people reported bad or very bad health in Slough council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 2.4% in Cippenham Village to 5.2% in Chalvey — a gap of 2.8 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

34.8% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Slough council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 14.6% in Cippenham Village to 27.3% in Chalvey — a gap of 12.7 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

Make early housing help easier to reach

The council is consulting on a new homelessness strategy.

People still need current help while plans are revised.

Evidence

weakness

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £1,565 a month (August 2026) in Slough council area. This is £106 higher than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 11.6% in Britwell to 58.5% in Slough Central — a gap of 46.9 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.

opportunity

Connect learning and community activity at The Curve

Library and bookable facilities share a central building.

Coordinated activities can make better use of existing space.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

9.7% of people in Slough council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 5.7% in Herschel Park to 14.6% in Upton — a gap of 8.8 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

Target safety work where problems repeat

Mapped police records are available for neighbourhoods in Slough 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 14.1% in Upton to 28.8% in Chalvey — a gap of 14.7 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

Protect useful services during financial recovery

The recovery programme addresses financial sustainability and service improvement.

Facilities need affordable long-term operation.

Evidence