National survey says Harrogate district is a great place to live
12 October 2009
A statutory survey has revealed that, as a place to live, Harrogate district residents' satisfaction levels are higher than both the national figure and North Yorkshire as a whole.
Overall *89.4 per cent of people are satisfied with their immediate local area.
For those aged over 65, this jumps to *91.7 per cent.
Harrogate also out performs North Yorkshire and national averages with lower public perceptions of anti-social behaviour and lower perceptions of not treating one another with respect and consideration.
We also have more people offering to volunteer in community work and a high level of people recorded who believe that parents take responsibility for their children:
40.4 per cent in Harrogate against
29.6 per cent nationally.
Satisfaction that Harrogate Council provides value for money was also above the national average.
The 2009 Place survey - which is designed to capture people's views, perceptions and experiences of their home patch - is to be used by local public services to make sure that their policies are producing the changes that people want.
The council worked in a consortium of other councils in the region to procure this bi-annual statutory survey.
Council Chief Executive, Wallace Sampson, said:
"This survey is part of the new performance framework for local government and new national indicators have been set."
Previous statutory surveys were restricted to user satisfaction with local councils but this new Place Survey moves to capture perceptions about the area.
"The results reflect local views and preferences for the area as a whole, not just public services, although the results will be used by those services to make improvements, added Mr Sampson.
"The survey results are very positive and provide us with a good source to track changes in residents' satisfaction and perceptions over time.
I have asked all council services to use the results in their service planning process."
ENDS
*National result 79.7 per cent:
North Yorkshire result 87.3 per cent.
Over 65s national result 83.9 per cent:
North Yorkshire result 90 per cent.
Further information is available from:
Wallace Sampson on 01423 556287.