Your Views

Every three years an independent agency carries out Best Value Surveys. This is a statutory requirement from central government to measure residents’ satisfaction with our services. The results from these surveys are used to identify priorities for Thanet residents’ and to help improve our service provision. In 2005 we also commissioned MORI to carry out some research to find out perceptions about a number of issues, particularly around liveability and quality of life in Thanet.  During November 2005 MORI carried out face-to-face interviews with a representative sample of 1,000 Thanet residents.

So what do people think matters most? Over the last four years low levels of crime has remained the top priority in making Thanet a good place to live. The health service and clean streets have also been in the top group of priorities for the area, and following the most recent Best Value Survey 2006/07 affordable decent housing has also been noted as a top priority.

What’s the most important thing in making somewhere a good place to live?

The level of crime 60% Health service 59% Affordable decent housing  43% Clean streets 40% Job prospects 35% Education provision 30%

Over the past four years low levels of crime have been identified by residents as either the first or second priority that ‘most needs improving’ in Thanet.  In 2003-04 road and pavement repairs were identified as the top priority (47.9%) and low levels of crime the second (44.5%).  The MORI survey in 2005 showed that residents were concerned about activities for teenagers (42%). By 2006-07 crime was identified as the area most in need of improving (51.2%) followed by the level of traffic congestion (49.6%).

Thinking about the local area which things most need improving?

The level of crime 51% Health service 50% Affordable decent housing 43% Clean streets 37% Job prospects 36% Education provision 33%

The last time we asked residents whether they thought we provided value for money was in 2005. The results showed that we have work to do in terms of convincing our residents that we do provide good value for money.

Do we provide value for money?

The level of crime 28% Health Service 41%

It is well known that residents who feel better informed about a council and its activities also tend to feel more satisfied with the council overall. Residents have shown us that we need to improve the way we communicate with them as the majority do not feel well informed.

How informed are residents?

Very well informed 4% Fairly well informed 32.5% Not well informed 37.8% Not well informed at all 25.7%

Every three years we are required to conduct surveys to measure residents satisfaction with our services. The latest survey was conducted last year and showed improvement in most areas as shown in the following chart.

How satisfied are residents?

Next: Our achievements 2006/7

Back to: 2006-7 Annual Report to Residents