Press Release

Councils deserve more credit for services

23 June 2009

Responding to the publication of the Place Survey, reflecting people's views on where they live, Cllr Margaret Eaton, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said:

"This survey shows that the vast majority of residents are happy with services which their councils provide. From bin collections to libraries and parks to doorstep recycling, people have overwhelmingly indicated that they enjoy and appreciate these vital services which they use every day. But councils are failing to get the credit for this success. They need to keep working at letting people know that the services they so clearly prize are paid for by their council tax.

"Town halls are in constant contact with their residents and have been busy in the eight months since this research was carried out. However, the government's long delay in releasing this information makes it less useful than it might otherwise have been. This delay is unsatisfactory and the LGA will be raising this with the government. Councils conduct their own surveys and regularly talk to residents and businesses to make sure the way they use taxpayers' money reflects what local people want, and will continue to do so. Authorities come into contact with the people they serve every single day and the people themselves can make their views known at the ballot box."