Stratford residents' wellbeing and facilities given the thumbs up
The results of an independent survey on residents’ satisfaction of Stratford District Council (SDC) services has identified that peoples' overall wellbeing in Stratford is very high, with more than four in five residents (81%) rating their well-being as Good or Excellent. Survey respondents also continue to be satisfied with the service received at Council facilities.
While the 2023 report shows a number of downward trends across SDC services, Council facilities received consistently high scores from users.
The level of service in the Stratford Library, Visitor Information Centre, and Parks and Walkways received high ratings from residents, with 96%, 94%, and 90% levels of satisfaction respectively. The Aquatic Centre received 84% satisfaction, and Customer Service interactions achieved 83%.
Despite these high ratings, people's overall satisfaction with Council dropped to 57% from 69%. Respondents’ perception of SDC’s value for money, trust, leadership, and reputation were marked considerably lower than the previous year.
Chief Executive Sven Hanne says we're disappointed to see a decline in satisfaction across the board.
"The feedback received via this survey is invaluable to measure our performance. Across both service delivery and Council’s governance role. It's clear that we need to stay focused on continuous improvement and will use these results as a benchmark to do better for our community," he says.
“I encourage everyone who receives the survey to take the time to let us know how we’re doing. Good and bad, we want to hear from you,” says Sven. “It’s also essential that our residents involve themselves in our Long Term Plan conversations this year. This is the perfect opportunity to let Council know where you want to see rates invested going forward.”
Thousands of Stratford residents are invited to do this survey throughout the year, however on average only 400 people respond. It's important to take the time and complete this survey if you're invited to do so. The first round of survey invites for the 2023/24 year are landing in people’s letterboxes now.
The following list shows the ‘overall satisfaction’ ratings for Council services and facilities from the 2023 survey in comparison to 2022:
- Rubbish collection – 83% (no change)
- Recycling collection – 85% (up 3%)
- Sportsgrounds – 85% (up 3%)
- Aquatic Centre – 84% (up from 77% when the TSB Pool Complex was operating)
- Public Toilets – 67% (down 1%)
- Library – 96% (down 1%)
- Visitor Information Centre isite – 94% (down 2%)
- Customer Services – 83% (down 2%)
- Parks and Walkways – 90% (down 2%)
- Footpaths – 57% (down 4%)
- Roading – 30% (down 9%)
- Cemeteries – 68% (down 2%)
Read the full survey report here.
To be part of Council’s Long Term Plan conversations sign up here.