Stroud district not entirely happy with council (From Gazette Series)

Stroud District Council survey shows lukewarm reception towards achievements

5:24pm Tuesday 26th February 2013 in News By Daniel Chipperfield

STROUD district residents have given a lukewarm reception towards the local authority’s achievements in the last year.

According to a recent survey, the satisfaction of residents has fallen from 76 per cent to 67 per cent despite an apparent improvement in Stroud District Council’s service delivery.

Despite this, the number of people dissatisfied with the council has fallen to its lowest ever level of eight per cent, down from 11 per cent last year.

Out of the 300 residents interviewed in September 2012, the majority appear happy with where they live, as 89 per cent of respondents said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their local area.

An independent research company recorded 57 per cent of respondents believed there had been an improvement in services, while 65 per cent feel the council is more business-like and efficient - up five per cent on the previous year.

Despite the improvements in some of the council’s work, only 19 per cent of respondents could identify who their respective district councillor was, but 66 per cent said they knew how to contact them if needed.

Leader of Stroud District Council, Cllr Geoff Wheeler (Lab, Dursley) said the drop in satisfaction was at odds with other results in the same survey.

"With two-thirds of residents and businesses expressing that they are satisfied with our performance, it is encouraging that we continue to perform well in their eyes," he said.

"It is clear that our population is being squeezed financially so it is more critical than ever that we strive to provide excellent services and value for money."