A survey of 250 residents in the Dover District reveals that 69% are pleased with the current services offered by the council, and underlines the value placed on local services with 76% of residents prepared to pay at least an extra £7 a year in Council Tax to Dover District Council to minimise reductions in the services it provides. The survey was commissioned by Dover District Council and the results contribute to the current budget setting exercise for 2014/15 and the following years.
Like most local authorities, Dover District Council expects to have to make further savings in 2014/15, and again in 2015/16, as it faces a reduced funding settlement from central government and a continuing cap on Council Tax increases. Despite these pressures, DDC has the lowest Council Tax in East Kent and has achieved a significant increase in levels of satisfaction since the last survey was undertaken in 2007, (55%).
The survey was designed to test various budget options to find out which council services were deemed the most important by residents. It consisted of face-to-face interviews with randomly selected residents in both urban and rural areas, reflecting the age, gender and ethnic profile of the district.
Services prioritised by residents as areas of expenditure where they particularly welcome further investment included support for town centres, apprenticeships, and health and well-being promotion. The areas where reductions in services were rated as being most acceptable to residents included reducing spending on area offices, street lighting, and leisure centres, and increasing admission charges at heritage assets. Services which residents particularly wanted to see maintained at current levels included advice and guidance to community and voluntary groups, street cleansing, environmental crime and anti-social behaviour prevention, and apprenticeships.
Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council, said: "I'd like to thank everyone who took part in the survey. I am pleased that levels of satisfaction with the Council have improved despite the difficult financial climate. I know there is still much to be done, in particular to realise our ambitions for investments in our town centres. The recent planning application for a six screen Cineworld in the St James's development in Dover is a real sign of progress. We are also making real progress on other issues identified as priorities for residents, including the recruitment of new environmental enforcement officers, and additional apprentices."
Dover District Council's 2014/15 budget and the medium term financial plan will be discussed at the Cabinet meeting in February 2014.
