Issues and SWOT

strength

Use the borough’s cultural assets throughout the year

The cultural-year review identifies established venues and an events programme.

Proposed response: Publish regular local and low-cost activities.

Evidence

strength

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £855 a month (August 2026) in Rochdale council area. This is £604 lower than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 11.5% in West Middleton to 33.8% in Central Rochdale — 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

Empty buildings need viable uses as well as repairs

The Old Grammar School and scout hut need reuse arrangements; neither announcement proves a lasting service.

Proposed response: Confirm repair responsibilities and public access terms.

Evidence

weakness

Bring support closer to people in poor health

6.4% of people reported bad or very bad health in Rochdale council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 4.1% in Norden to 8% in West Middleton — a gap of 3.9 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

Make Heywood’s square easier to use

The Civic Square design work concerns everyday seating, surfaces and space for events.

Proposed response: Show how consultation changed the design.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

16.5% of people in Rochdale council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 9.1% in Central Rochdale to 24.4% in Bamford — a gap of 15.3 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

26.4% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Rochdale council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 12% in Norden to 32.2% in Central Rochdale — a gap of 20.2 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

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 9.5% in Norden to 36.4% in Milkstone & Deeplish — a gap of 26.9 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

Do not confuse buying a building with reopening it

The Old Grammar School still required feasibility work after acquisition.

Proposed response: Publish repair surveys and the next decision.

Evidence