Information from the 2007-2008 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. The following table details key findings of the 2007/8 survey for the ward and the city as a whole. It is followed by a summary of the key perceptions of the ward’s residents about Council services and their local area.

Positive findings

  • More residents than the city average agreed that they are satisfied with opportunities for participation in local decision-making (43% compared to 37%).
  • More residents agreed that they agree that they have enough opportunity to influence Council policies and services (31% compared to 22%).
  • More residents than the City average were satisfied with the following services:
    • Local bus service (75% compared to 66%)
    • Public transport information (67% compared to 55%).

Possible areas for attention

  • Fewer ward residents than the City average were satisfied with their local area as a place to live (56% compared to 75%).
  • Fewer ward residents than the City average agreed that their local area is a place where people from different backgrounds get on well together (55% compared to 65%).
  • Significantly fewer ward residents than the City average agreed that they felt safe when outside in the local area after dark (27% compared to 41%).
  • Fewer ward residents than the City average were satisfied with the choice of housing in their local area (58% compared to 66%).
  • More ward residents than the City average thought that the anti-social behaviour issues were a problem in their local area.
  • Fewer ward residents than the City average were satisfied with the following Council services:
    • Waste collection (77% compared to 86%)
    • Doorstep recycling (49% compared to 59%)
    • Local recycling facilities (41% compared to 54%)
    • Keeping land free of litter and refuse (46% compared to 61%)
    • Parks and open spaces (67% compared to 76%)


Neighbourhood Issues

 Indicators

 Ward
N=82

 Newcastle
N=3326

Satisfied with local area as a place to live 

56%75%

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

74%75%

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

45%48%

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

55%65%

Satisfied with opportunities for participation in local decision making

43%37%

Agree can influence decisions locally

35%36%

Feel safe when outside in local area after dark

27%41%

Feel safe when outside in Newcastle city centre after dark

31%32%

Satisfied with choice of housing in local area

58%66%

 

Anti-social behaviour (% who thought it was a problem)
 Indicators Ward
N=82
Newcastle
N=3326 

Parents not taking responsibility for the behaviour of their children

90%66%

People not treating other people with respect and consideration

78%59%

Noisy neighbours or loud parties

39%26%

Teenagers hanging around on the streets

72%55%

Vandalism, graffiti and other deliberate damage to property and vehicles

75%54%

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

43%24%

People using or dealing drugs

68%51%

Drunk or rowdy behaviour

57%46%

Rubbish and litter lying around

73%52%

Abandoned/burnt out cars

27%12%

 

The Council
Indicators  Ward
N=82
 Newcastle
N=3326

Satisfied with the way the Authority runs things 

68%64%

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

54%58%

Agree enough opportunity to influence Council policies and services

31%22%

Council takes some account of residents' views when making decisions

70%68%

 

Services
Indicators  Ward
N=82
 Newcastle
N=3326

Satisfied with waste collection service

77%86%

Satisfied with doorstep recycling

49%59%

Satisfied with local recycling facilities

41%54%

Satisfied with keeping land free of litter and refuse

46%61%

Satisfied with sports, leisure facilities and events

54%55%

Satisfied with libraries

68%65%

Satisfied with parks and open spaces

67%76%

Satisfied with local bus service

75%66%

Satisfied with public transport information

67%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.