Issues and SWOT

strength

Make the reopened Focus Hall useful day to day

Structural refurbishment has returned the hall to community use.

Proposed response: Build an affordable programme with local groups.

Evidence

strength

Bring support closer to people in poor health

3.1% of people reported bad or very bad health in Wandsworth council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 1.7% in Northcote to 4.9% in Shaftesbury & Queenstown — a gap of 3.2 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

62.6% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Wandsworth council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 5.4% in Lavender to 17% in Roehampton — a gap of 11.6 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

Explain which Alton proposals are changing

The September update says designs are under review while demolition continues.

Proposed response: Give residents a clear account of confirmed and proposed elements.

Evidence

weakness

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £2,632 a month (August 2026) in Wandsworth council area. This is £1,173 higher than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 25.6% in Roehampton to 58.4% in Nine Elms — a gap of 32.8 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.

opportunity

Use the old library for affordable creative work

A two-year agreement enables a phased artist-studio proposal.

Proposed response: Make workspace affordability and community access explicit.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

9.6% of people in Wandsworth council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 2.7% in Nine Elms to 13.8% in West Putney — a gap of 11.1 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 Wandsworth 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 6.3% in Nine Elms to 24.7% in Roehampton — a gap of 18.3 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

Keep the estate safe and connected during clearance

Block A demolition is underway while replacement facilities remain to be delivered.

Proposed response: Maintain access and useful interim community space.

Evidence 1 · Evidence 2