Issues and SWOT: North Hertfordshire

strength

Maintain the green spaces people already use

Named parks and paths are in the investment programme.

Existing public spaces provide a basis for improvements.

Evidence

strength

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £1,434 a month (August 2026) in North Hertfordshire council area. This is £25 lower than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 9.4% in Letchworth Grange to 29.2% in Hitchin Bearton — a gap of 19.8 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

3.9% of people reported bad or very bad health in North Hertfordshire council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 2% in Great Ashby to 5.4% in Letchworth Grange — a gap of 3.5 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

41.5% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in North Hertfordshire council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 9.5% in Great Ashby to 19.2% in Letchworth South East — a gap of 9.8 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

Keep housing support continuous

The council identifies a need to sustain homelessness services.

People need help that lasts beyond a funding decision.

Evidence

opportunity

Make swimming lessons accessible

A learner pool is funded for Royston.

Its usefulness depends on access and affordable sessions.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

19.4% of people in North Hertfordshire council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 6.7% in Great Ashby to 27.1% in Hitchin Priory — a gap of 20.4 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 North Hertfordshire 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 8.2% in Baldock East to 20.4% in Letchworth South East — a gap of 12.3 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

Resolve Churchgate’s costs before promising delivery

Viability and delivery work remain central to the next phase.

An attractive concept needs a workable financial plan.

Evidence