Issues and SWOT: Three Rivers

strength

Keep the reopened play area welcoming

Ebury reopened after refurbishment in July.

Families have a renewed local facility.

Evidence

strength

Bring support closer to people in poor health

3.5% of people reported bad or very bad health in Three Rivers council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 2.5% in Durrants to 6.2% in South Oxhey — a gap of 3.7 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.

strength

Connect local skills to local opportunities

42.7% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Three Rivers council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 7.2% in Moor Park & Eastbury to 20.9% in South Oxhey — a gap of 13.7 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

Keep Aquadrome restrictions clear

The programme identifies asbestos-management areas requiring restricted access.

Safe access and maintenance remain necessary.

Evidence

weakness

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £1,826 a month (August 2026) in Three Rivers council area. This is £367 higher than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 8.8% in Durrants to 23.2% in Rickmansworth Town — a gap of 14.4 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

Convert grants into usable club facilities

Three community schemes received funding approval.

Investment reaches different parts of the district.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

18.1% of people in Three Rivers council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 11.3% in South Oxhey to 25.3% in Chorleywood North & Sarratt — a gap of 14 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 Three Rivers 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 4.7% in Moor Park & Eastbury to 25.4% in South Oxhey — a gap of 20.7 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

Keep Aquadrome promises tied to confirmed funding

The large delivery bid remains ahead.

The full programme is not yet funded.

Evidence