ARCHIVED news story
Council Leader vows no holding back on improvements
Released on 16 February 2007
We will never be complacent because there is always more to do. The battle to drive down costs, drive out inefficiency and improve services goes on
Council Leader, Vivienne Clifford-Jackson,
South Norfolk Council Leader Vivienne Clifford-Jackson has said there will be no holding back on the drive to improve services, despite positive results on public satisfaction.
The results come from a national survey by independent research agency Ipsos MORI, who surveyed just over 1,400 South Norfolk residents.
Residents were asked about a range of council services. In the case of six key services satisfaction improved on the last survey in 2003:
- street cleaning: 82% of residents are satisfied, up from 72% in 2003,
- bin collections: 90% satisfied, up from 89%,
- recycling: 73% satisfied, up from 72%,
- sports and leisure facilities: 55% satisfied, up from 48%,
- parks and open spaces: 69% satisfied, up from 64%,
- handling complaints: 42% satisfied, up from 31%.
Overall, 65% of residents are satisfied with the council. It was 61% in 2003.
Cllr Clifford-Jackson said:
"These are modest improvements, but they are all in the right direction. We see them as public backing for our campaign to deliver innovative, high-achieving and value for money services.
"Although I must thank everyone who took part for being honest about us, there will be no celebrating. We will never be complacent because there is always more to do. The battle to drive down costs, drive out inefficiency and improve services goes on."
The Council's Chief Executive Geoff Rivers said:
"Before these results came to light, we had asked the Audit Commission to come and assess everything we do. If they agree, it will be one of the toughest tests any council can face. We hope to be recognised by them as an excellent council. These satisfaction results suggest we are getting it right; all services assessed are moving in the right direction including those where the satisfaction rate is already 80% or above."
And he backed Cllr Clifford-Jackson's "no complacency" message:
"Sitting back is not what we do. Our unwavering focus on improvement is culturally embedded everywhere in the council.
"That's why we won Beacon status with Norfolk County Council for work with young people. Why we have Charter Marks in our benefits and environment services. And why residents back what we are doing."
Related pages
Contact us
| contact officer/team: | Communications Team |
|---|---|
| web: | online enquiry form |
| email: | communicationsteam@s-norfolk.gov.uk |
| telephone: | 01508 533611 or 01508 533983 |
| minicom/textphone: | 01508 533622 |
| address: | South Norfolk House Swan Lane Long Stratton Norwich NR15 2XE |
|
|
|
If you need information in large print, audio cassette, braille, translation (written or verbal) or signed interpretation, let us know when you contact us.