Issues and SWOT

strength

Make the completed specialist school work for families

Clarendon’s new building has been handed over with specialist teaching and therapy spaces.

Proposed response: Coordinate staffing, individual support and school travel.

Evidence

strength

Bring support closer to people in poor health

3% of people reported bad or very bad health in Richmond upon Thames council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 1.8% in St Margarets & North Twickenham to 5% in Hampton North — 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

60.4% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Richmond upon Thames council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 5.8% in East Sheen to 18.4% in Heathfield — a gap of 12.6 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

Keep Ham Close residents informed through phased moves

The redevelopment replaces existing housing while adding homes.

Proposed response: Provide household-specific move and support information.

Evidence

weakness

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £2,333 a month (August 2026) in Richmond upon Thames council area. This is £874 higher than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 15.1% in Heathfield to 36.9% in Twickenham Riverside — a gap of 21.8 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

Reconnect the town centre to the river

The riverside scheme includes new public spaces and better walking connections.

Proposed response: Test the full route, including access around shops and river activities.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

16.1% of people in Richmond upon Thames council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 12% in St Margarets & North Twickenham to 19.5% in Hampton — a gap of 7.6 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

Target safety work where problems repeat

Mapped police records are available for neighbourhoods in Richmond upon Thames 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 6.1% in St Margarets & North Twickenham to 19.5% in Heathfield — a gap of 13.4 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

Secure the services inside Ham’s new community buildings

The Hive and Makers Barn are intended for youth, family and practical activities.

Proposed response: Plan staffing and affordable use alongside construction.

Evidence