Witney News - West Oxon residents give Council thumbs the up

West Oxon residents give Council thumbs the up

A national survey has placed resident satisfaction with West Oxfordshire District Council services amongst the highest in the country and top in Oxfordshire.

Similarly residents’ perception of value for money is well above the average, placing West Oxfordshire as the 8th best District Council in the country and again top in Oxfordshire.

The national Place Survey, conducted in September 2008, plays an important role in keeping councils informed about how they are doing. It asks residents what they think about their neighbourhood and the services they receive.

Cllr Barry Norton, Leader of the Council said, “Being well informed of residents’ views about our services is very important to us and we are pleased that this survey confirms that they appreciate the low-cost value for money services that West Oxfordshire District Council provides. At £78.57 a year, our council tax rate is the second lowest in the country and is half the national average for district councils. Using money from reserves means that we are able to make an annual saving for all our council taxpayers.

“Although we are facing financial pressures we are making efficiency savings so that we can maintain investments in providing high quality services for residents. Of course we are delighted with the survey results, but we are not complacent and will continue to improve our services wherever we can.”

The survey covers a wide range of public services from bin collections to asking residents how safe they feel. Overall the areas surveyed, 60% of West Oxfordshire’s indicators were in the top 25% of district councils in the country.

The Place Survey is a statutory requirement and is carried out by all councils. In Oxfordshire 14,000 surveys were sent out to randomly selected residents with the replies going directly to central government. The results were published by the Department of Communities and Central Government this week.