Issues and SWOT

strength

Rural homes have been delivered

The council reports 17 completed homes at Clos y Stabl.

Proposed response: Check that rural provision meets local and accessible-housing needs.

Evidence

strength

Bring support closer to people in poor health

6% of people reported bad or very bad health in Vale of Glamorgan council area (21 March 2021). Across Wales, the figure was 6.9%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 3.3% in St Bride's Major to 9.7% in Gibbonsdown — a gap of 6.4 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

37.3% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Vale of Glamorgan council area. Across Wales, the figure was 31.5%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 9.5% in St Bride's Major to 25.3% in Gibbonsdown — a gap of 15.8 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

Permission is only one step at the waterfront

Barry’s planning approval does not confirm construction or operation.

Proposed response: Make the remaining funding and delivery steps clear.

Evidence

weakness

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £982 a month (August 2026) in Vale of Glamorgan council area. This is £136 higher than the Wales average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 6.8% in Llandow to 27.7% in Castleland — a gap of 20.9 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 school investment serve the wider community

The new St Richard Gwyn facilities include planned community sports use.

Proposed response: Secure practical booking and access arrangements alongside school delivery.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

22% of people in Vale of Glamorgan council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 13.7% in Castleland to 32.9% in Cowbridge — a gap of 19.2 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 Vale of Glamorgan 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 7.5% in Llandow to 29.6% in Gibbonsdown — a gap of 22 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

Rural plans can fail before homes are built

The council distinguishes completed Wick homes from future rural schemes and identifies land and funding barriers.

Proposed response: Track each proposed rural site through to occupation.

Evidence