Issues and SWOT

strength

Northern Roots creates a place to use now

The first phase of Northern Roots is open.

Proposed response: Publish accessible routes, transport and opening details.

Evidence

strength

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £942 a month (August 2026) in Oldham council area. This is £517 lower than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 10.5% in Chadderton North to 25.2% in St Mary's — a gap of 14.7 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

Some high-street premises still need improvement

The shopfront grant programme targets improvements to town-centre premises.

Proposed response: Show which premises and works are eligible.

Evidence

weakness

Bring support closer to people in poor health

6.3% of people reported bad or very bad health in Oldham council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 4.1% in Chadderton North to 7.7% in Alexandra — 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.

opportunity

Connect venues to everyday town-centre life

The Loom and the restored J. R. Clynes Building offer different cultural uses.

Proposed response: Coordinate a clear public programme across both venues.

Evidence 1 · Evidence 2

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

16% of people in Oldham council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 7.6% in Coldhurst to 27.1% in Saddleworth South — a gap of 19.5 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

24.6% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Oldham council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 12.3% in Saddleworth North to 36.5% in Coldhurst — a gap of 24.2 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 10.9% in Saddleworth North to 40.5% in Coldhurst — a gap of 29.6 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 new facilities usable after opening day

New venues and the green-space visitor facilities bring ongoing operating responsibilities. This is a forward risk, not a finding of financial failure.

Proposed response: Publish maintenance and operating responsibilities.

Evidence 1 · Evidence 2