Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) on the Residents Survey.

Cabinet had before it and NOTED a report * from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) Officers on the residents survey.

The Leader of the Council outlined the contents of the report with particular reference to the following:

·         There was no significant change to the resident survey.

·         The 43% trusted their local Council to make decisions about local services, compared to 2% trust for the Government.

·         Percentage of residents that think the media has viewed local Councils positively in the last few months.

The Deputy Chief Executive (S151) Officer outlined in the report with particular reference to the following:

·         The Council conducted a combined residents’ and budget setting survey in November/December 2023.

·         Many of the responses, and those for the LG Inform survey, had seen a deterioration in their scores/feedback, which may of had some bearing on the national challenges that had been faced currently.

·         Resident feedback enables the Council to focus on the key concerns/messages, whilst also providing an important baseline, which can be utilise in order to measure feedback against in future years and assess the direction of travel.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         The disappointment in the amount of respondents to this year survey.

·         To engage more with the residents of the Council.

·         The responses in regards to climate change and the wording around fairly or very important.

·         Details of the percentages to see where improvements could be made.

·         Mid Devon households pay on average £225.40 in Council Tax per year (£4.32 per week) in 2023/24 to the Council.

Note: * Report previously circulated.