Issues and SWOT

strength

Residents can see the network’s tariff decisions

The HEIGHTs charges are set out in a public council decision.

Proposed response: Provide a plain-language bill example for each affected block.

Evidence

strength

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £804 a month (August 2026) in Gateshead council area. This is £655 lower than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 8.7% in Birtley North & Lamesley to 40.2% in Saltwell — a gap of 31.6 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

Land approval has not yet delivered the homes

Church Place’s transfer is conditional on planning permission.

Proposed response: Publish remaining approvals and proposed tenure.

Evidence

weakness

Bring support closer to people in poor health

7.4% of people reported bad or very bad health in Gateshead council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 4.2% in Low Fell to 10.7% in Felling — a gap of 6.5 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

Turn Chopwell’s housing milestone into a funded sequence

The regeneration plan identifies new homes in Chopwell.

Proposed response: Publish the site, tenure and funding position.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

20.3% of people in Gateshead council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 10.1% in Saltwell to 28.4% in Whickham South & Sunniside — a gap of 18.3 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

28% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Gateshead council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 12.8% in Low Fell to 30.9% in Felling — a gap of 18.1 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

Target safety work where problems repeat

Mapped police records are available for neighbourhoods in Gateshead 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 12% in Low Fell to 33.1% in Felling — a gap of 21.1 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

Higher heat charges affect household budgets

The next HEIGHTs tariff period includes heat increases and a standing charge, although electricity charges fall.

Proposed response: Explain each household’s likely bill change.

Evidence