strength
Build on a clear next phase for Kingshurst
The next centre phase has an approved funding route and defined public uses.
Proposed response: Publish which services the building will provide.
What could help →Solihull, in numbers
Issues and SWOT
Solihull council area. Every figure carries its own date.
Strengths to build on. Pressures to address. Choices to make.
These assessments connect evidence with proposed responses. They are not ratings of council performance.
Strengths
strength
Make room for homes people can afford
Average private rent is £1,279 a month (August 2026) in Solihull council area. This is £180 lower than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 8.1% in Castle Bromwich to 18% in Silhill — a gap of 9.9 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.
What could help →strength
Bring support closer to people in poor health
5% of people reported bad or very bad health in Solihull council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 2.5% in Blythe to 8.5% in Chelmsley Wood — a gap of 6 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.
What could help →strength
Connect local skills to local opportunities
35.4% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Solihull council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 9.5% in Blythe to 28.7% in Fordbridge — a gap of 19.2 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.
What could help →Weaknesses
weakness
Demolition changes everyday access to Mell Square
The first redevelopment phase removes existing structures before new housing is available.
Proposed response: Keep clear routes to remaining shops and alternative facilities.
What could help →Opportunities
opportunity
Measure what the heat network actually saves
The network is designed to supply connected buildings, but installation alone does not establish savings.
Proposed response: Publish connected buildings and the commissioning milestone.
What could help →opportunity
Plan homes and care around an older population
21.1% of people in Solihull council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 13.8% in Blythe to 28% in Knowle — a gap of 14.2 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.
What could help →opportunity
Target safety work where problems repeat
Mapped police records are available for neighbourhoods in Solihull 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.
What could help →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.
What could help →opportunity
Target support where disadvantages overlap
Households facing two or more measured disadvantages ranged from 7.9% in St Alphege with Monkspath & Hillfield to 32.2% in Fordbridge — a gap of 24.3 percentage points.
These households met at least two census conditions covering education, employment, health and housing. This is not an income or poverty measure.
What could help →Threats
threat
A building and its services must open together
Kingshurst services and the heat network depend on providers and final connections as well as construction.
Proposed response: List the remaining operating agreements and connections.
What could help →| Evidence and response | Who could lead | Related published plans |
|---|---|---|
| Build on a clear next phase for KingshurstKingshurst Village Centre phase two: Funding arrangements approved; construction expected later in 2026. | Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council | |
| Demolition changes everyday access to Mell SquareHolbeche Place at Mell Square: Demolition underway; homes not yet counted as delivered. | Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council | |
| Measure what the heat network actually savesSolihull Town Centre Energy Network: Final construction and commissioning stage in reviewed update. | Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council | |
| A building and its services must open togetherKingshurst Village Centre phase two: Funding arrangements approved; construction expected later in 2026; Solihull Town Centre Energy Network: Final construction and commissioning stage in reviewed update. | Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council | |
| Make room for homes people can affordAverage private rent is £1,279 a month (August 2026) in Solihull council area. Homes rented privately ranged from 8.1% in Castle Bromwich to 18% in Silhill — a gap of 9.9 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 17 of 17 current wards have comparable figures. | The housing and planning authorities, housing associations and developers | |
| Plan homes and care around an older population21.1% aged 65 or over; 21 March 2021. People aged 65 or over ranged from 13.8% in Blythe to 28% in Knowle — a gap of 14.2 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 17 of 17 current wards have comparable figures. | Adult social care, local health services, housing providers and transport authorities | No reviewed project is linked yet. This remains a proposal, with funding and delivery to establish. |
| Bring support closer to people in poor health5% reporting bad or very bad health; 21 March 2021. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 2.5% in Blythe to 8.5% in Chelmsley Wood — a gap of 6 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 17 of 17 current wards have comparable figures. | Local health services, public health teams, employers and community organisations | No reviewed project is linked yet. This remains a proposal, with funding and delivery to establish. |
| Connect local skills to local opportunities35.4% with a degree or equivalent; 21 March 2021. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 9.5% in Blythe to 28.7% in Fordbridge — a gap of 19.2 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 17 of 17 current wards have comparable figures. | Employers, colleges, universities and the relevant skills authority | |
| Target safety work where problems repeatUse the dated, complete periods shown in Crime and safety; keep anti-social behaviour separate. | The local police force, council community safety team and relevant services | No reviewed project is linked yet. This remains a proposal, with funding and delivery to establish. |
| Target support where disadvantages overlapHouseholds facing two or more measured disadvantages ranged from 7.9% in St Alphege with Monkspath & Hillfield to 32.2% in Fordbridge — a gap of 24.3 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 17 of 17 wards. | The council's housing, public health and employment teams, with local services |