Issues and SWOT: Hertsmere

strength

Use the upgraded community kitchen

Elm Court’s kitchen improvements are complete.

Existing groups have improved facilities.

Evidence

strength

Bring support closer to people in poor health

3.9% of people reported bad or very bad health in Hertsmere council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 2.1% in Aldenham East to 5.4% in Potters Bar Oakmere — a gap of 3.3 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

39.6% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Hertsmere council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 9.4% in Aldenham East to 21.7% in Borehamwood Cowley Hill — a gap of 12.3 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

Turn construction progress into occupied homes

Catterick Way responds to social and accessible-housing needs.

A building milestone does not yet house a family.

Evidence

weakness

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £1,829 a month (August 2026) in Hertsmere council area. This is £370 higher than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 12% in Bentley Heath & The Royds to 22.6% in Borehamwood Hillside — a gap of 10.6 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

Secure useful public space in Bushey

The proposal combines community uses with homes.

A largely unused site could serve more residents.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

17.7% of people in Hertsmere council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 11.9% in Borehamwood Kenilworth to 29.8% in Bushey Heath — a gap of 18 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 Hertsmere 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 7.5% in Aldenham East to 23% in Borehamwood Cowley Hill — 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

Keep promised amenities tied to delivery

Bushey’s next stage still needs planning and partner work.

Benefits could be delayed or altered.

Evidence