Decision details

RESOLVED:

That the following be supported:

1.     The next steps as outlined within the report;

2.     A two-yearly resident survey going forward; and

3.     Sharing findings and anonymised data with our partners

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

Yes.

PORTFOLIO:

Leader’s

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (S):

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Leader presented the report and expressed her full support to using the results of the survey to shape future Council priorities as well as a resident survey being carried out on a two yearly basis.

The Service Manager – Elections and Business Improvement highlighted that the key findings of the recent survey were presented in the report.  Members had received a briefing on the results of the survey and they had been considered by the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Panel.  The sample of results closely matched the population profile which meant that there was confidence in the reliability of the results. The findings would be used to consider improvements to how the Council delivered its services in the future.

Members acknowledged the value in conducting a survey to determine the views of residents, and following a review to consider and identify areas for improvement.  It was suggested that as it was recommended to carry out a survey on a two-yearly basis, that the District Council could look to use a comparable local authority to that of the New Forest, rather than the national benchmarks in the future. It was recognised that the District Council could explore whether benchmarking against local authorities with similar characteristics would be possible. 

Members felt that the results were very positive and a credit to the work of officers in delivering services to residents and businesses in challenging times, but it was also acknowledged that more could be done to improve.

The Cabinet requested that their thanks be passed onto the officers who had been involved in the resident insight survey.