Issues and SWOT

strength

Use the opened visitor centre to connect local activity

The former shop now houses information and ticketing services.

Residents and visitors can find more of the borough’s offer.

Evidence

strength

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £1,173 a month (August 2026) in Bedford council area. This is £286 lower than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 5.8% in Wootton & Kempston Rural to 47.9% in Greyfriars — a gap of 42.2 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.

strength

Bring support closer to people in poor health

4.4% of people reported bad or very bad health in Bedford council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 1.6% in Biddenham to 6.5% in Goldington — a gap of 4.9 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.

strength

Connect local skills to local opportunities

34.7% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Bedford council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 7.2% in Biddenham to 27.5% in Queens Park — a gap of 20.3 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

Maintain the Corn Exchange before problems grow

The refurbishment case identifies a tired complex needing investment.

A venue needs safe reliable facilities as well as programming.

Evidence

opportunity

Make Greyfriars easier to cross and reach

The current scheme adds walking and cycling infrastructure.

A gateway should work for residents as well as traffic.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

16.7% of people in Bedford council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 6% in Great Denham to 28.2% in Sharnbrook — a gap of 22.2 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 Bedford 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 6.2% in Biddenham to 27.3% in Greyfriars — a gap of 21 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 homelessness support continuous during change

The council is taking over services as SMART ends operations and the day centre closes.

People need clear routes to help during the transition.

Evidence