Issues and SWOT: Mole Valley

strength

Make existing work support easy to reach

The Leatherhead hub provides free practical employment help.

Residents can use a service already operating.

Evidence

strength

Bring support closer to people in poor health

3.7% of people reported bad or very bad health in Mole Valley council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 3.1% in Dorking North to 4.5% in Brockham, Betchworth, Buckland, Box Hill & Headley — a gap of 1.4 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

43.1% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Mole Valley council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 9.1% in Bookham East & Eastwick Park to 17% in Leatherhead North — a gap of 7.9 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

Keep cultural activities available during Halls renewal

The announced works require a temporary closure.

Groups and audiences need reliable alternatives.

Evidence 1 · Evidence 2

weakness

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £1,551 a month (August 2026) in Mole Valley council area. This is £92 higher than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 6.9% in Bookham East & Eastwick Park to 25.1% in Leatherhead South — a gap of 18.2 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.

opportunity

Bring homes and workshops back onto the Foundry site

The approved scheme replaces unsuitable older units.

The benefit depends on completed and occupied premises.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

23.8% of people in Mole Valley council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 13.1% in Leatherhead North to 32.8% in Bookham East & Eastwick Park — a gap of 19.7 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 Mole Valley 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

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 8.9% in Fetcham to 18.7% in Leatherhead North — a gap of 9.8 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 Pippbrook’s cultural use financially sustainable

The restored building is being used for cultural events.

An operating heritage venue still needs continuing upkeep.

Evidence