According to 2023 data 10.1% (16,219) of households were living in fuel poverty compared with 11.4% in England. Fuel poverty is defined as a household that needs to spend 10% or more of its income on energy in order to maintain a satisfactory heating regime. Fuel poverty in England is measured using the Low Income Low Energy Efficiency (LILEE) indicator. The Cheshire West and Chester Fuel Poverty Strategy (2023) includes actions to improve energy efficiency in the home, increase renewable and low carbon technologies in domestic properties and encouraging behaviour change to reduce energy consumption (Source: Fuel poverty statistics - GOV.UK).
Safe and healthy neighbourhoods are fundamental to the economic, social and environmental well-being of the community. Crime is not a particular problem in Cheshire West and Chester when compared with England and has remained relatively stable over the past few years with an increase in the crime rate nationally. There were 24,771 recorded crimes in Cheshire West and Chester in the year ending December 2025. This is a rate of 67 recorded crimes per 1,000 population which is lower than the England rate (84 per 1,000 population) (Source: Crime in England and Wales: Police Force Area data tables - Office for National Statistics)
In the Our Place Survey (Autumn 2021) 92% of respondents felt safe during the day and 60% after dark. These are borough wide figures and further analysis into the spatial area should be undertaken to understand if this is truly representative. Well-designed places can reduce the opportunity for crime and the fear of crime, helping to create safer, more attractive environments. Consideration of crime reduction measures at all stages of the planning process has a demonstrable positive impact on levels of crime and anti-social behaviour.