Budget 2010-11 survey results

The results below are based on 372 returned surveys.  This is more than double the amount of people who participated in the 2009-10 consultation (103).

• Top priority services for residents were waste and recycling and cleansing/clean streets.  The same priority areas as identified by residents for 2009-10.
• The council delivers a range of non-statutory services for residents (services which they are not required to provide).  The top priority non statutory services were economic development and regeneration - including job creation, parks, open spaces and recreation, and sports facilities.
• The service areas that residents ranked as a lower priority were Benefits advice and events
• Respondents agreed with most of the suggestions as to how TDC can make savings or generate income for the council. 

Higher levels of support were identified for:

- looking into different ways of generating income (92% supported)

- reducing the cost of supporting council political representatives (85% supported) 

- reviewing costs of managing the council's assets and the associated rents and leases (80% supported).

There was less support for:

- reducing the costs of maintaining grass verges (37% supported)

- extending ways to access tourism information but reducing the number of dedicated VIC’s (45% supported).

• Almost 60% of people were aware of the allocation of their Council Tax (breakdown below).

- Thanet District Council receives 14% of residents' annual Council Tax. 

- Kent County Council receives 71%

- Kent Police Authority receives 9%,

- Kent Fire and Rescue Service receives 5%

- Town and Parish Councils receive 1%. 

• Levels of awareness of the council's statutory services was very high.

Over 90% of people aware that Thanet District Council is responsible for:

- Waste and recycling

- Cleansing and street cleaning

- Planning services

- Housing services

- Council Tax

Over 80% of people were aware that Thanet District Council also provides:

- Elections and member services

- Benefits

- Community Safety 

• 45% of respondents felt TDC provided good value for money – an increase of 20% since the 2009-10 budget survey (although only a third felt TDC provides better value for money now compared to a year ago. 
• 50% of respondents agreed that residents are given an opportunity to shape how it spends its money – an increase of 5% from last year.
• Residents were fairly split as to whether they felt TDC has the right level of Council Tax compared to other councils. 45% agreed, 31% disagreed and 22% did not know.