We’re rated highly by residents and businesses – and we’re aiming even higher
Published: Friday, 18 December, 2020
Satisfaction with Stroud District Council remains high and is rising in most areas – those are the findings of an independently-conducted survey.
The vast majority of the 700 randomly-selected interviewees said they were satisfied with the Stroud district as a place to live and work, too.
Every year the council commissions a budget survey to help monitor performance and set priorities. The survey sought views on SDC’s spending, and satisfaction levels with its activities, including the council’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Future Focus Research’s telephone survey showed high levels of support for the Council, which has had to change the way it works and the services it delivers because of the effects of Covid-19 on households, businesses, and its own staff and councillors.
Stroud District Council Leader Doina Cornell (Labour) said: “This has been a very testing and trying year like no other, so the results of the survey are particularly welcome. Stroud District Council’s five main priorities are the economy, affordable housing, environment, health and wellbeing, and value for money – these result shows we are delivering on those, and responding well to the needs of residents and businesses during the Coronavirus pandemic.”
The survey of residents found: (2019 figures in brackets)
94% are satisfied with their local area as a place to live (90%).
81% are satisfied with the way SDC runs things (76%).
75% agree that services have been maintained to a good standard (73%)
67% are satisfied that SDC is working to improve the environment (72%).
64% agree that they get value for money from SDC (67%).
63% agree that SDC is business like and efficient (60%).
Green Group Leader Martin Whiteside added: “The results reflect well on the council but we’re not resting on our laurels – a peer review of the council told us we are a good council that can become a great one, and that’s what we are aiming for.”
The main findings of the businesses surveyed were:
96% are satisfied with their local areas as a place to do business (96%).
77% are satisfied that SDC is working to improve the environment (76%).
72% agree that services have been maintained to a good standard (65%).
63% are satisfied with the way SDC runs things (68%).
63% agree that they get value for money from SDC (62%).
59% agree that SDC is businesslike and efficient (58%).
In addition to the usual business services which the council offers, this year has seen it distribute more than £25million in Government grants for businesses hit by the Coronavirus pandemic, provide extra support to businesses to help them trade safely, run two awareness campaigns on supporting local shops, and worked closely with Stroud & District Chamber of Trade to help traders continue to operate safely during the pandemic.
Liberal Democrat Group Leader Ken Tucker said: “This council is here for its residents and businesses and it is reassuring to know that they value the services we provide. We would like to thank everyone who gave their time to give this valuable feedback which will be used to improve council services.”
The full results of the survey can be viewed at www.stroud.gov.uk/annualsurvey2020