Delays over satisfaction surveys do not worry Tandridge DC, where residents are already happy, says Stephen Weigel
Since it’s the LGA conference in Harrogate, I’m sure there will be many opportunities for delegates, officers and private sector partners to share views and experiences. It will be an opportunity to celebrate and in some instances ‘Peacock’ our achievements.
So, to get the ball rolling, I am very proud my own council, Tandridge, is among the top 15% of councils in the country giving a high level of resident satisfaction, according to results from the Place Survey.
Just last week, The MJ carried the front page headline ‘LGA slates delayed satisfaction survey’, claiming the data was too old to be helpful. Something of concern to many of us is that under the new CAA, we are to be increasingly judged by public satisfaction ratings and less by measurable data. Residents were asked what they thought about living in Tandridge DC and the public services they received. The survey was fairly wide-ranging, from use of local services to general health and well-being. It also included support for older people and tackling crime, as well as information on levels of participation in the local community – something I feel is under great threat during this economic downturn.
Respondents could state how concerned they were about the problems affecting their communities, from litter and graffiti, to noisy neighbours, health services and how anti-social behaviour was being dealt with. In all, 86.5% of our residents were satisfied with Tandridge DC as a place to live, compared with 80% nationally.
Almost 64% felt they belonged to their immediate neighbourhood compared with the national figure of 59%, with more than 43% agreeing strongly that their local council provided value for money – a significant result, given that the national average was 33%.
Equally rewarding, almost 54% were satisfied with the way we run things – 9% higher than the national average. Just above 21% of the population felt there were problems with people in their local area not treating one another with respect and consideration, compared with the national average of 31%. Almost 81% felt they were treated with respect and consideration by local services, compared with the national average of 72%. The most significant figure related to drugs, drunk and rowdy behaviour, where only 15.5% felt drunk or rowdy behaviour was a problem and just 16.2% drugs, compared with a national average of 29% and 31% respectively.
Tandridge DC’s key priorities of continuous improvement, while providing value for money for the delivery of good-quality services, appears to be working, in the eyes of our public.
Our residents have shown they considered Tandridge DC local services were performing better than the national average. Perhaps we have good reason to show off our tail feathers – without being complacent, of course
Stephen Weigel is chief executive of Tandridge DC
So, to get the ball rolling, I am very proud my own council, Tandridge, is among the top 15% of councils in the country giving a high level of resident satisfaction, according to results from the Place Survey.
Just last week, The MJ carried the front page headline ‘LGA slates delayed satisfaction survey’, claiming the data was too old to be helpful. Something of concern to many of us is that under the new CAA, we are to be increasingly judged by public satisfaction ratings and less by measurable data. Residents were asked what they thought about living in Tandridge DC and the public services they received. The survey was fairly wide-ranging, from use of local services to general health and well-being. It also included support for older people and tackling crime, as well as information on levels of participation in the local community – something I feel is under great threat during this economic downturn.
Respondents could state how concerned they were about the problems affecting their communities, from litter and graffiti, to noisy neighbours, health services and how anti-social behaviour was being dealt with. In all, 86.5% of our residents were satisfied with Tandridge DC as a place to live, compared with 80% nationally.
Almost 64% felt they belonged to their immediate neighbourhood compared with the national figure of 59%, with more than 43% agreeing strongly that their local council provided value for money – a significant result, given that the national average was 33%.
Equally rewarding, almost 54% were satisfied with the way we run things – 9% higher than the national average. Just above 21% of the population felt there were problems with people in their local area not treating one another with respect and consideration, compared with the national average of 31%. Almost 81% felt they were treated with respect and consideration by local services, compared with the national average of 72%. The most significant figure related to drugs, drunk and rowdy behaviour, where only 15.5% felt drunk or rowdy behaviour was a problem and just 16.2% drugs, compared with a national average of 29% and 31% respectively.
Tandridge DC’s key priorities of continuous improvement, while providing value for money for the delivery of good-quality services, appears to be working, in the eyes of our public.
Our residents have shown they considered Tandridge DC local services were performing better than the national average. Perhaps we have good reason to show off our tail feathers – without being complacent, of course
Stephen Weigel is chief executive of Tandridge DC
