Strength in numbers.

Based on the data provided, here are 20 bullet points highlighting key insights about renting in Cheltenham wards:

1. St Paul's has the highest percentage of total renters at 68.3%
2. Lansdown follows closely with 58.1% total renters
3. Hesters Way has the highest percentage of social renters at 33.8%
4. St Paul's has the highest percentage of private renters at 47.8%
5. Benhall and The Reddings has the lowest percentage of total renters at 15.2%
6. Prestbury has the lowest percentage of private renters at 9.9%
7. Benhall and The Reddings has the lowest percentage of social renters at 2.6%
8. Six wards have over 40% total renters: St Paul's, Lansdown, Hesters Way, All Saints, St Peter's, and Oakley
9. Nine wards have over 30% private renters
10. Only four wards have over 20% social renters
11. The ward with the most balanced renting profile is St Mark's (28.6% social, 16.0% private)
12. College ward has a high private renting percentage (37.4%) but low social renting (2.8%)
13. Pittville has a relatively even split between private (28.5%) and social (8.9%) renters
14. Up Hatherley has the highest percentage of outright homeowners at 48.9%
15. St Paul's has the lowest percentage of outright homeowners at 14.3%
16. Battledown has the highest percentage of mortgage owners at 43.6%
17. Lansdown has the lowest percentage of mortgage owners at 17.1%
18. All Saints and Lansdown are the only wards where total renters outnumber homeowners
19. In 11 out of 20 wards, private renters outnumber social renters
20. The ward with the largest absolute number of renters is Lansdown with 1,705 renting households

Narrative:

The data reveals that renters, particularly private renters, indeed form a significant and often overlooked interest group across Cheltenham. This group faces unique challenges, including housing insecurity, potentially poor living conditions, and financial pressures.

St Paul's and Lansdown emerge as key wards where renters form the majority, with over 60% of households renting. These areas could be prime targets for CTU focus, as renters who vote can exert influence on the council.

While social renters face different challenges than private renters, they still represent a significant portion of the population in certain wards, particularly Hesters Way. The CTU could consider tailoring its approach to address the specific concerns of social renters, such as the restrictive regulations, disrespect and austere policies.

The data shows a clear divide between wards with high renting populations and those dominated by homeowners. Wards like Benhall and The Reddings, Prestbury, and Up Hatherley have very low percentages of renters, suggesting that housing issues might be less pressing for voters there.

Interestingly, in most wards, private renters outnumber social renters, often significantly. This supports your point about private renters potentially being the largest single interest group related to housing in Cheltenham.

The CTU could consider focusing its efforts on wards with high percentages of private renters, such as St Paul's, Lansdown, All Saints, and College. These areas likely have a high concentration of voters who would be receptive to policies aimed at improving conditions for renters, increasing housing security, and addressing the power imbalance between tenants and landlords.

Additionally, wards with a more balanced mix of renters and homeowners, such as St Peter's and Pittville, could be strategic targets. Here, the Green Party could position itself as a unifying force, addressing the concerns of both renters and homeowners while highlighting the shared interest in a fair, sustainable housing market.

In conclusion, this data strongly supports your case that renters, especially private renters, represent a key demographic within Cheltenham. By tailoring your message and focusing resources on wards with high renting populations, you could potentially leverage a significant influence on council priorities, policy and resources.

From the 2021 census.