strength
A derelict site is now public space
The Pontypridd plaza opened in June 2026.
Proposed response: Keep it welcoming and useful outside organised events.
What could help →Rhondda Cynon Taf, in numbers
Issues and SWOT
Rhondda Cynon Taf 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 £754 a month (August 2026) in Rhondda Cynon Taf council area. This is £92 lower than the Wales average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 6.1% in Ton-teg to 50.1% in Treforest — a gap of 44 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 →Weaknesses
weakness
Delivered kiosks are not operating businesses
The plaza kiosks still needed fit-out and tenant marketing in the reviewed update.
Proposed response: Follow the premises through to viable occupation.
What could help →weakness
Bring support closer to people in poor health
8.2% of people reported bad or very bad health in Rhondda Cynon Taf council area (21 March 2021). Across Wales, the figure was 6.9%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 2.5% in Pontyclun East to 13% in Pen-y-waun — a gap of 10.6 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 →Opportunities
opportunity
Reuse Rock Grounds without losing its character
The proposal retains the historic building and includes facilities intended for community use.
Proposed response: Secure practical public access within the commercial scheme.
What could help →opportunity
Plan homes and care around an older population
19.6% of people in Rhondda Cynon Taf council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 7.9% in Treforest to 33.3% in Ton-teg — a gap of 25.5 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
Connect local skills to local opportunities
26.7% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Rhondda Cynon Taf council area. Across Wales, the figure was 31.5%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 10% in Pontyclun East to 41.8% in Pen-y-waun — a gap of 31.8 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.
What could help →opportunity
Target safety work where problems repeat
Mapped police records are available for neighbourhoods in Rhondda Cynon Taf 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 6.7% in Pontyclun East to 42.7% in Pen-y-waun — a gap of 36 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
Clearing a site can precede a funded replacement
The police-site options are unsettled and demolition is only described as possible.
Proposed response: Tie clearance to a realistic sequence and safe interim use.
What could help →| Evidence and response | Who could lead | Related published plans |
|---|---|---|
| A derelict site is now public spaceFormer Marks & Spencer riverside plaza: Public space opened in late June 2026 | Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council with the named delivery partners | |
| Delivered kiosks are not operating businessesFormer Marks & Spencer riverside plaza: Public space opened in late June 2026 | Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council with the named delivery partners | |
| Reuse Rock Grounds without losing its characterRock Grounds redevelopment: Developer appointed; design and consultation reported | Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council with the named delivery partners | |
| Clearing a site can precede a funded replacementPolice Station and Berw Road site: Mixed-use options being developed | Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council with the named delivery partners | |
| Make room for homes people can affordAverage private rent is £754 a month (August 2026) in Rhondda Cynon Taf council area. Homes rented privately ranged from 6.1% in Ton-teg to 50.1% in Treforest — a gap of 44 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 46 of 46 current wards have comparable figures. | The housing and planning authorities, housing associations and developers | |
| Plan homes and care around an older population19.6% aged 65 or over; 21 March 2021. People aged 65 or over ranged from 7.9% in Treforest to 33.3% in Ton-teg — a gap of 25.5 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 46 of 46 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 health8.2% reporting bad or very bad health; 21 March 2021. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 2.5% in Pontyclun East to 13% in Pen-y-waun — a gap of 10.6 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 46 of 46 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 opportunities26.7% with a degree or equivalent; 21 March 2021. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 10% in Pontyclun East to 41.8% in Pen-y-waun — a gap of 31.8 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 46 of 46 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 6.7% in Pontyclun East to 42.7% in Pen-y-waun — a gap of 36 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 46 of 46 wards. | The council's housing, public health and employment teams, with local services |