Residents happy with the job Surrey is doing

The survey reveals that in September last year 73 per cent of Surrey’s residents were pleased with the way the council was working.

That was 23 per cent above the average recorded for all county councils in England the last time national figures were collated in 2006.

And the survey shows that satisfaction with how the authority runs services has been going up since 2003, when just over one in two residents were happy.

The number of residents who believe the county council is providing value for money is also rising, with the figure standing at nearly 50 per cent by September last year compared with 33 per cent in November 2007.

Some 91 per cent of residents were happy with Surrey as a place to live, up slightly on the 2007 figure, and more people in the county believe people from different backgrounds get on well together – 73 per cent in September last year compared with 71 per cent in 2007 and 56 per cent four years earlier.

Nearly six in 10 people in Surrey thought the county council keeps them well informed about services and the figure has been on the up – the 56 per cent in September 2008 compares to 48 per cent in 2007 and 37 per cent four years before that.

The figures are contained in the newly launched Joint Neighbourhood Survey that is being carried out quarterly for the county council and Surrey Police. It replaces the county council’s Community Survey that was published every two years.

Helyn Clack, the county council’s Executive Member for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “To get such positive ratings for the good work we’re doing and for providing value for money is pleasing, especially as it is direct feedback from our residents. These results reinforce the fact that many of the services we provide to Surrey’s residents are of a very high quality."

Denise Saliagopoulos, Executive Member for Policy and Performance, said: “It is also highly encouraging that residents’ satisfaction levels keep on rising and we will be working hard to ensure that trend continues. This new analysis also gives us a clear picture of where to concentrate our efforts so that we can do even better.”

Residents say the county council should further improve road and pavement maintenance and provide more places for young people to meet.

www.surreycc.gov.uk