Issues and SWOT

strength

Put underused central buildings to work

Aylesbury’s former offices now contain homes.

Building reuse can add housing near services.

Evidence

strength

Bring support closer to people in poor health

3.3% of people reported bad or very bad health in Buckinghamshire council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 1.8% in Berryfields, Buckingham Park & Watermead to 5.4% in Booker & Cressex — 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.

strength

Connect local skills to local opportunities

41% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Buckinghamshire council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 8.7% in Chiltern Villages to 27.6% in Castlefield & Oakridge — a gap of 19 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

Provide suitable space for county records

The current archive premises no longer suitably accommodate the collection.

Storage and public access both need improvement.

Evidence

weakness

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £1,475 a month (August 2026) in Buckinghamshire council area. This is £16 higher than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 8.1% in Bierton, Kingsbrook & Wing to 33.3% in Abbey — a gap of 25.3 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.

opportunity

Balance deliveries with a walkable Chesham High Street

The trial separates delivery access from pedestrian periods.

Clear arrangements can support shops and people on foot.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

18.8% of people in Buckinghamshire council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 5.3% in Berryfields, Buckingham Park & Watermead to 26.9% in Princes Risborough — a gap of 21.6 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 Buckinghamshire 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% in Chiltern Villages to 23.8% in Castlefield & Oakridge — a gap of 17.8 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

Avoid a service gap while the archives move

Public access closes from October 2026 ahead of a forecast spring 2027 reopening.

Researchers need realistic dates and alternatives.

Evidence