Issues and SWOT

strength

Use the college and arts venue to bring life to College Green

The proposed park sits between Croydon College and Fairfield Halls.

Proposed response: Plan its use with students, families and cultural organisations.

Evidence

strength

Bring support closer to people in poor health

4.3% of people reported bad or very bad health in Croydon council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 3% in Fairfield to 6.5% in New Addington North — a gap of 3.5 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 Croydon council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 10.3% in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown to 27% in New Addington North — a gap of 16.7 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.

weakness

Test the Whitgift housing offer before approval

The Whitgift proposal was presented before a full planning application.

Proposed response: Assess affordability and family needs against the submitted scheme.

Evidence

weakness

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £1,582 a month (August 2026) in Croydon council area. This is £123 higher than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 6.7% in Old Coulsdon to 57.9% in Fairfield — a gap of 51.3 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

Make the route around the Minster easier to use

Minster Green work includes filling the subway and improving the public space.

Proposed response: Check that the finished route works for people with different mobility needs.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

13.6% of people in Croydon council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 4.6% in Fairfield to 22.8% in Sanderstead — a gap of 18.2 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 Croydon 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 10.4% in Kenley to 32.3% in New Addington North — a gap of 21.9 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 let a large redevelopment stall smaller benefits

Whitgift remains a proposal while nearby public spaces have separate delivery stages.

Proposed response: Track the schemes separately and protect independent improvements.

Evidence 1 · Evidence 2 · Evidence 3