Residents more satisfied with council services

Satisfaction with the way the Council runs things in the Royal Borough has gone up by 10% in the past two years.

The latest residents' survey shows that 63% of residents are satisfied with how the Council runs local services compared to 53% in 2008. Some 47% also tend to or strongly agree that they get good value for money from the Council - up from 43% in 2009 and 35% in 2008.

The survey, conducted late in 2010 by an independent market research company on the Council's behalf, asks residents about their satisfaction levels with a wide range of local services, not just those provided by the Council.

The results show that the top five Council services are:
• refuse collection (88% satisfaction rating)
• doorstep recycling (83%)
• parks and open spaces (80%)
• local tips/household waste recycling centres (71%)
• keeping public land clear of litter and refuse (64%).

The top five things that residents feel are most in need of improvement are:
• road and pavement repairs (49%)
• traffic congestion (42%)
• shopping facilities (28%)
• activities for teenagers (26%)
• level of crime (26%).

Cllr David Burbage, Council Leader, said the survey presented a valuable snapshot of residents' satisfaction levels with Council services and with their local community in general.

He said: "We are pleased that this Council's determination to put residents first and maintain low council taxes are being recognised by local people. The results tell us that satisfaction levels are generally rising or being maintained and that residents have very clear views about what they want the Council and other public services to make a priority.

"We are closing the gap between what residents want and what the Council is achieving on their behalf but there is still much to do and we are putting resources into areas like improved highways maintenance and traffic management and also into ongoing initiatives to improve community safety. We are also setting aside £300,000 of capital money for projects that residents can vote on through the upcoming participatory budgeting consultation, including activities for young people. This is yet another way of paying attention to what residents want in their communities."

Cllr Christine Bateson, Cabinet Member for Community Partnerships and Consultation, said: "It is absolutely vital that our residents have a direct say in everything the Council does on their behalf. The annual survey is a barometer of progress and we listen very carefully when people tell us where their priorities lie. This gives us the impetus to make services even better in the future."

The survey questionnaire was sent to 3,800 residents and there was a 31% response rate. The full report is available on the council's website at www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/consultation_results.htm

How do you rate this information/service?