Residents' Satisfaction Survey 2007

 

The main objective of the survey was to establish levels of residents’ satisfaction with a range of services provided by the Council, and to assess attitudes to the following issues:

 

• What makes Fareham a good place to live
• New developments and housing
• Shopping and leisure facilities
• Environmental services
• Crime and anti-social behaviour
• Arts and entertainment
• Council Tax
• Customer Services

A proportionately stratified random probability sample of 4000 residents was selected from the Electoral Register to reflect the distribution of the population within each ward of the borough as a whole. Households selected were sent a self-completion questionnaire. A total of 928 residents completed and returned the questionnaire - a response rate of 23%.

 

Key Results

The following paragraphs highlight key results from the survey with previous year's results shown in brackets.

 

Residents were asked to indicate the five most important issues in making the borough of Fareham a good place to live. The five most common issues are listed below:

 

Low Level of Crime

Health Services

Clean Streets

Low Level Traffic

Parks and Open Spaces

 

Residents were asked to indicate the five issues that most need improving. The five most common issues are listed below:

 

Low Level Traffic

Roads and Pavements

Low Level Crime

Activities for Teenagers

Public Transport

 

87% (89%) of residents were satisfied with the range of shopping facilities and 80% (82%) were satisfied with the range of leisure and social facilities in Fareham Town Centre. 

 

Satisfaction with the overall waste collection service has fallen significantly to 71% (76%). 64% (68%) of residents are satisfied that the Borough is kept clear of litter on all open land that is controlled by the Council. 90% (88%) of residents are satisfied with the overall quality of the environment. 

 

98% (99%) of residents indicated they feel safe outside during the day and 72% (67%) said they feel safe outside after dark in their local neighbourhood. However, only 50% (46%) of residents indicated they feel safe outside after dark in town and district shopping centres.

 

96% (95%) of residents are satisfied that the Borough is a safe and healthy place to live and work.

 

Residents were asked to rank four statements in order of preference (1 - 4), with 1 being most preferred and 4 the least preferred. The mean average score was calculated for the responses to this question and the statements and the rankings are as follows:

 

The Council should balance charges to service users and small increases in Council Tax.	1.77 (1.84)
The Council should seek to achieve a Council Tax increase in line with inflation.	2.13 (2.26)
Service users should be asked to pay more rather than increase Council Tax.	2.38 (2.51)
Council Tax should be increased to provide better services.	3.74 (3.34)

 

87% (84%) of residents surveyed are satisfied with the way in which enquiries were handled. 

 

95% (94%) of residents surveyed are satisfied that, taking everything into account, the Borough of Fareham is a prosperous, safe and attractive place to live and work and 89% (88%) are satisfied with the way the Council runs things and the overall service provided.

 

Executive Report (358 Kb)