Residents give thumbs up to council services - but more still to be achieved, says council leader

More than 60% of people who took part in the Royal Borough's annual residents' survey are satisfied with the way the council runs things. Almost 90% are pleased with the refuse collection service and 85% are satisfied with the doorstep recycling service.

These are the headline results from the 2011/12 survey, which also shows the borough's parks and open spaces have an 82% satisfaction rating - while the service showing the most significant improvement over the previous year is libraries (up from 61% to 75%),

Some 45% of respondents agree that the council provides value for money.

Cllr David Burbage, council leader, said he was pleased with the results - but there is still much to be achieved.

He said: "Satisfaction rates are being maintained or improved but we have our sights set on even better outcomes for residents and we are constantly striving for improvement.

"In our commitment to have an open and honest relationship with residents, we listen to what they are saying and the survey gives us their pointers to how we can be even better. Services are now taking the survey results and translating them into positive actions for the future."

Cllr Burbage said he was particularly pleased with the figures that showed residents felt safer in their local communities, with perceptions of anti-social behaviour and drink and drug related behaviour all down:
o perceptions of ASB - 8.5% (10% in 2010. 19.3% in 2009 and 14.3% in 2008)
o perceptions of drunk or rowdy behaviour as a problem - 19.5% (24.4% in 2010, 27.6% in 2009 and 25.2% in 2008)
o perceptions of drug use or drug dealing as a problem - 19.3% (25.2% in 2010, 38.1% in 2009 and 21.4% in 2008).

Cllr Burbage said: "This demonstrates strong partnership working between the council's community safety team and the police. The council's community wardens play a key role in improving perceptions of crime and anti-social behaviour and these figures show that it was right to invest in increasing the number of wardens across the borough."

The residents' survey report in full is available on the council's website at www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/consultation_residents_surveys.htm

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