What is the Residents Survey?
Gateshead Council regularly asks local people their perception of and satisfaction with the Council and its services. The survey contains questions about how satisfied local people are with their local area, their home, and Council services. Other questions find out how well informed local people feel, how safe communities are and what issues are prevalent in their neighbourhoods.
Over the years these surveys have been called by different names and been initiated both locally and nationally, although the questions often remained the same or similar. For example, in the past the Council has conducted a statutory Best Value General User Survey which was also undertaken by all local authorities nationally. More recently, all local authorities undertook a statutory Place Survey. In the years between those surveys the Council often undertook its own local Residents Survey. The results of all these surveys are attached below.
Who is surveyed?
A sample or smaller group of Gateshead residents is selected completely at random and asked to complete the survey. For example, in 2009 4,619 Gateshead residents completed the survey which had been posted out to them. To ensure that the results of the survey are representative of the entire population of Gateshead, weightings are applied to the responses of any under or over represented groups e.g. gender, age, ethnicity etc.
How do we use the results?
The Council and our local partners use findings from the survey to improve services and influence decision-making. The results are also used to help to prioritise spending for the next financial year and to identify areas where we need to focus more attention and resources.
Residents Surveys
The council gratefully acknowledges the help and assistance given by the many residents who took part in the surveys.