Issues and SWOT: Arun

strength

Maintain the facilities residents can already use

West Green has operating play, sport and accessible toilet facilities.

Useful public space needs reliable upkeep after construction.

Evidence

strength

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £1,231 a month (August 2026) in Arun council area. This is £228 lower than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 9% in East Preston to 49.8% in Marine — a gap of 40.8 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

Keep the theatre’s return tied to verified readiness

The reviewed theatre update records construction, not reopening.

Residents and local groups need an honest service timetable.

Evidence

weakness

Bring support closer to people in poor health

5.4% of people reported bad or very bad health in Arun council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 4.2% in Felpham East to 7.4% in Rustington East — a gap of 3.2 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 the station with the town centre

The new railway partnership can coordinate Station Square improvements.

A clearer gateway can help residents and visitors complete journeys.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

28.4% of people in Arun council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 14.5% in Courtwick with Toddington to 46.6% in Ferring — a gap of 32.1 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

26.4% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Arun council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 14.8% in Angmering & Findon to 26.2% in Pagham — a gap of 11.4 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 Arun 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 11.3% in Arundel & Walberton to 25.9% in Pevensey — a gap of 14.6 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

Budget for keeping regenerated places useful

The theatre and seafront facilities need ongoing operation and maintenance.

Construction benefits can fade if running budgets are weak.

Evidence 1 · Evidence 2