William Eichler 25 April 2019

Survey reveals lack of confidence in council communication

Communications experts have called on local authorities to embrace the advantages of digital communications with residents.

A survey of 2,000 consumers commissioned by Opus Trust Communications found that only 3% of respondents felt councils were best at communicating.

Around 36% of consumers reported that they would be happy to access their council tax bills via email, 9% through an online portal, 2% from an app and 2% from SMS.

However, the findings from the Hidden Opportunity Market Report reveal that the preference is still for hard copy documents when it comes to council business.

Just over half of the respondents (52%) said they preferred to receive their council tax bills through the post – a figure that was almost 20% higher than utilities customers who were more willing to consider digital tools for correspondence.

Chief executive officer for Opus Trust Communications, Tony Strong, commented: ‘The Hidden Opportunity Market Report has confirmed that consumers still prefer to receive their council tax bills through the post, despite the availability of digital alternatives such as apps and online portals.

‘The report indicates that only a small minority of consumers feel that councils are effective in the way they interact, so there’s a real opportunity for them to mirror the success of other sectors when it comes to transferring to digital communications.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Practice Supervisor

North Yorkshire Council
£47,181 - £51,356 per annum, pro rata
The service very much promotes flexible working with the ability to work remotely from other bases, as well as working from home Richmond, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Practice Supervisor

North Yorkshire Council
£47,181 - £51,356 per annum, pro rata
The service very much promotes flexible working with the ability to work remotely from other bases, as well as working from home Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Legal Assistant Litigation

Durham County Council
£30,024 to £33,699 p.a. (Grade 7)
The Council’s Regulatory & Enforcement team is expanding and is looking to appoint a legal assistant to support and enhance its litigation work.   WHA Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Customer Services Assistants

Durham County Council
£24,790 to £25,992 p.a. (Grade 4)
A vacancy has arisen within Transactional and Customer Services for two  Customer Services Assistant working full time, 37 hours per week. Your primar Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Litigation Lawyer

Durham County Council
£47,181 to £51,356 p.a. (Grade 13)
The Council’s Regulatory & Enforcement team is expanding and is looking to appoint a lawyer to support and enhance its litigation work.   WHAT IS INVO Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner