Issues and SWOT: North Warwickshire

strength

There is a practical way to keep batteries out of bins

Separate kerbside collection is already available.

Proposed response: Make the council’s disposal instructions easy to find.

Evidence

strength

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £982 a month (August 2026) in North Warwickshire council area. This is £477 lower than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 9% in Newton Regis and Warton to 31.3% in Atherstone Central — a gap of 22.3 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.

weakness

Atherstone faces a lengthy gap in leisure provision

The existing complex is closed and a temporary pool was not funded.

Proposed response: Show nearby alternatives, travel options and membership arrangements.

Evidence

weakness

Bring support closer to people in poor health

5.7% of people reported bad or very bad health in North Warwickshire council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 3.9% in Curdworth to 7.5% in Atherstone Central — a gap of 3.6 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.

opportunity

A short path could make the playground easier to reach

The proposed Arley connection links a bus stop to the play area.

Proposed response: Test the design with disabled users and parents.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

21.9% of people in North Warwickshire council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 15.5% in Atherstone Central to 28.2% in Coleshill South — a gap of 12.6 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

Connect local skills to local opportunities

24.8% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in North Warwickshire council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 17.2% in Coleshill North to 28.9% in Dordon — a gap of 11.7 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.

opportunity

Target safety work where problems repeat

Mapped police records are available for neighbourhoods in North Warwickshire 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 12.3% in Curdworth to 24.3% in Atherstone South and Mancetter — a gap of 12 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

Incorrect disposal can disrupt essential collections

The Hurley fire shows the danger of electrical items entering ordinary waste.

Proposed response: Target clear advice at the affected neighbourhoods.

Evidence