Thumbs up for council services
SERVICES
provided by Harrogate Borough Council have got the thumbs' up from local residents in a recent satisfaction survey.
Satisfaction levels went up right across the council's services including, planning, parks and open spaces, cultural and leisure facilities, housing and environmental services as well as overall satisfaction with the way the council is run as a whole
Street cleansing always scores high in these surveys, but even here there was a sharp increase this year.
The council was also pleased to see that improved efforts on keeping public land clear of litter and refuse has been recognised with a high score of over 90 per cent satisfaction rate.
All local authorities are required by central government to carry out satisfaction surveys every three years.
Although the next statutory survey isn't due until the autumn of 2006, Harrogate Borough Council carried out an interim survey this year to help them when setting performance targets for the coming financial year.
Councillor Richard Cooper, Deputy Leader of the Council, said:
"N
ationally, satisfaction with councils has fallen in recent years so Harrogate Council is bucking the trend
.
With pressure to keep council tax down and low government grants it's always difficult to improve services.
That we have done this is a real boost to councillors, council officers and the general public alike.
"There are still many things we want to extend such as recycling and improve further such as the planning service.
But these independent measurements show we are heading in the right direction at the same time as levying the lowest council tax increase in recent years."
ENDS
Copies of the full results are available from Rachel Glendinning, Performance Officer on 01423 556159.
The full report will be summarised on the council's website at
www.harrogate.gov.uk
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Councillor Richard Cooper is available for comment on 07957 844380.