31 MAY 2007 -   SERVICES provided by Harrogate Borough Council have bucked the national trend.  The latest statutory user satisfaction survey of the country's larger district councils has revealed a national satisfaction level of 55% but in the Harrogate district the satisfaction level is higher at 59%.

 

The survey also shows improvements in levels of satisfaction right across the council's services with many outscoring the national district council average.

 

Parks and open spaces scored an extremely high 90 per cent as opposed to the national figure of 73 per cent and makes Harrogate Borough Council the joint highest scoring district council in the country.  Sport and leisure facilities saw a sharp increase from 56 per cent to 69 per cent.

 

There was also extremely high satisfaction with the planning service which saw levels rise from 52 per cent to 63 per cent.  Tenant satisfaction with the council as a landlord stayed the same but is already extremely high at 91 per cent and the Benefits service overall satisfaction rose from 74 percent to 81 per cent.

 

All local authorities are required by central government to carry out satisfaction surveys every three years and Councillor Mike Gardner, Leader of Harrogate Borough Council, says this isn't the first time the council has bucked the national trend.  "Nationally, over the past few years, satisfaction levels with councils have fallen so it is gratifying to know that our services are improving and are above the national average.  With pressure to keep council tax down and low government grants it is always difficult to improve services.  That we done this is a real boost to councillors, council officers and the general public alike."

 

"There are still many things we want to do to provide more value for money and excellent services for our council tax payers.  But these independent measurements show that we are heading in the right direction and we are doing so by keeping taxes down." ENDS

 

Copies of the council's full results are available from Rachel Glendinning, Performance Manager on 01423 556159.  The full report will be summarised on the council's website at www.harrogate.gov.uk  The national Best Value User Satisfaction Survey can be viewed at www.communities.gov.uk