Information from the 2007/08 Residents' Survey

The Residents’ Survey is an annual postal survey undertaken in the autumn to seek information from Newcastle adult residents on their perceptions of council services and neighbourhood issues. Below is a summary of the key perceptions of the ward’s residents about Council services and their local area. The following table has full details of the key findings of the 2007/8 survey for the ward and the city as a whole.

Positive findings

  • Over a third of respondents (37%) were satisfied with opportunities for participating in local decision-making and being able to influence decisions locally (36%), comparable to the City average in both cases.
  • Almost two-thirds (65%) considered that the Council took account of residents’ views when making decisions (the City average is 68%).
  • More residents were satisfied with libraries than the City average (71% compared to 65%).
  • More residents were satisfied with sports and leisure facilities than the City average (61% compared to 55%).

Possible areas for attention

  • 61% were satisfied with the choice of housing in their area, which was less than the City average (which is 66%).
  • Fewer people were satisfied with changes that had taken place in their local area in the past two years (41% compared to 48%).
  • Fewer people than the City average considered that their local area had got better / not changed much in the last year (65% compared to 75%).
  • Residents were less inclined than the City as a whole to agree the local area is a place where people from different backgrounds get on well together (47% compared to 65%).
  • More residents than the City average felt that the following anti-social behaviour issues were a problem in their local area:
    • Parents not taking responsibility for their children
    • People not treating each other with respect and consideration
    • Teenagers hanging around on the streets
    • Vandalism, graffiti and other deliberate damage to property or vehicles
    • People being attacked because of their skin colour, ethnic origin or religion
    • Rubbish and litter lying around.
  • Fewer residents than the City average were satisfied with recycling facilities (41% compared to 54%).
  • Fewer residents than the City average were satisfied with how the Council keeps public land free of litter and refuse (55% compared to 61%).
  • Fewer residents than the City average were satisfied with parks and open spaces (68% compared to 76%).
Neighbourhood Issues

 Indicators

 Ward
N=115

 Newcastle
N=3326

Satisfied with local area as a place to live 

71%75%

Local area has got better/not changed much in the last year

65%75%

Satisfied with changes that have taken place in area in the last two years

41%48%

Agree local area is a place where people from different backgrounds get on well together

47%65%

Satisfied with opportunities for participation in local decision making

37%37%

Agree can influence decisions locally

36%36%

Feel safe when outside in local area after dark

40%41%

Feel safe when outside in Newcastle city centre after dark

28%32%

Satisfied with choice of housing in local area

61%66%

 

Anti-social behaviour (% who thought it was a problem)
 Indicators Ward
N=115
Newcastle
N=3326 

Parents not taking responsibility for the behaviour of their children

82%66%

People not treating other people with respect and consideration

73%59%

Noisy neighbours or loud parties

27%26%

Teenagers hanging around on the streets

62%55%

Vandalism, graffiti and other deliberate damage to property and vehicles

63%54%

People being attacked because of their skin colour, ethnic origin or religion

29%24%

People using or dealing drugs

55%51%

Drunk or rowdy behaviour

50%46%

Rubbish and litter lying around

62%52%

Abandoned/burnt out cars

16%12%

 

The Council
Indicators  Ward
N=115
 Newcastle
N=3326

Satisfied with the way the Authority runs things 

60%64%

Council keeps residents well informed about the services and benefits it provides

55%58%

Agree enough opportunity to influence Council policies and services

20%22%

Council takes some account of residents' views when making decisions

65%68%

 

Services
Indicators  Ward
N=115
 Newcastle
N=3326

Satisfied with waste collection service

85%86%

Satisfied with doorstep recycling

55%59%

Satisfied with local recycling facilities

41%54%

Satisfied with keeping land free of litter and refuse

55%61%

Satisfied with sports, leisure facilities and events

61%55%

Satisfied with libraries

71%65%

Satisfied with parks and open spaces

68%76%

Satisfied with local bus service

70%66%

Satisfied with public transport information

57%55%

Note : Differences of less than 10 percentage points between the city average and the ward result may not be significant. Conclusions drawn on the basis of differences of less than 10 percentage points should be treated with caution.