REPORT TO: Cabinet Member – Performance and Governance Cabinet Member – Communities 5th August 2009 9th September 2009

SUBJECT: Initial Results of the 2008 Place Survey WARDS AFFECTED: All REPORT OF: Paul McCann, Public Engagement and Consultation Officer CONTACT OFFICER: Jayne Vincent – 0151 928 2233 ext 380 EXEMPT/CONFIDENTIAL: No

PURPOSE/SUMMARY:

The 2008 Place Survey provides information on people's perceptions of their local area and the local services they receive.

The survey collects information on 18 national indicators (NIs) for Local Government, used to measure Local Government performance for 152 County Councils, Metropolitan District Councils, London Boroughs and Unitary Authorities.

This report provides Members with the initial results of the 2008 Place Survey for Sefton.

REASON WHY DECISION REQUIRED:

To ensure that the Cabinet Member Performance and Governance is informed of the initial results of the 2008 Place Survey.

RECOMMENDATION(S):

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Governance is recommended to:-

i) Note the content of the report

KEY DECISION: No FORWARD PLAN: No IMPLEMENTATION DATE: Immediately following the expiry of the call-in period for this report

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

There are no other alternative options.

IMPLICATIONS:

Budget/Policy Framework : N/A

Financial:-

There are no immediate financial implications arising from this report. Further reports will identify specific financial implications as necessary.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE 2006/ 2007/ 2008/ 2009/ 2007 2008 2009 2010 £ £ £ £ Gross Increase in Capital expenditure Funded by: Sefton Capital Resources Specific Capital Resources REVENUE IMPLICATIONS Gross Increase in Revenue Expenditure Funded by: Sefton funded Resources Funded from External Resources Does the External Funding have an expiry date? Y/N How will the service be funded post expiry?

Legal:

Risk Assessment: Not applicable

Asset Management : Not applicable

CONSULTATION UNDERTAKEN/VIEWS

CORPORATE OBJECTIVE MONITORING:

Corporate Positive Neutral Negative Objective Impact Impact Impact

1 Creating a Learning Community

2 Creating Safe Communities

3 Jobs and Prosperity

4 Improving Health and Well-Being

5 Environmental Sustainability

6 Creating Inclusive Communities

7 Improving the Quality of Council Services and Strengthening local Democracy

8 Children and Young People

LIST OF BACKGROUND PAPERS RELIED UPON IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT

None

1. Background

1.1 The 2008 Place Survey provides information on people's perceptions of their local area and the local services they receive. The survey collects information on 18 national indicators (NIs) for Local Government, used to measure local government performance for 152 County Councils, Metropolitan District Councils, London Boroughs and Unitary Authorities. The survey was carried out by Mott McDonald who sent out 3,500 questionnaires with 1,310 returned (target 1,100).

1.2 This report gives the Place Survey National Indicator results for Sefton compared to the and North West averages, neighbouring authorities and the 36 Metropolitan Authorities.

1.3 The report also gives details of the results from the General Best Value Survey carried out in 2006 where the questions are similar. This survey had a similar methodology to the Place Survey 2008. Also included is a table containing comparison information derived from the Safer and stronger Communities Partnership’s Safer and Stronger Survey. Whilst the questions are reflective/mirror the NIs in the Place Survey the difference in methodology does not allow direct comparisons to be made and the data is provided for information purposes only. The methodology used in the Sefton Safer and Stronger Survey is face-to-face using the next person method of sampling. A total of 420 interviews are completed each month, 60 in each of the respective Area Committee's resulting in 5,040 respondents per annum, with 720 respondents interviewed each year in each of the Area Committee areas (ACA).

1.4 The survey is commissioned through Mott MacDonald, and complies with the Market Research Society (MRS) code of conduct and Mott MacDonald are registered under the Data Protection Act.

1.5 The Place Survey also asked questions about overall satisfaction and value for money of Council services and the results of these are also listed. The results of questions about levels of use and satisfaction with other services provided by the Council and other partners will be available in due course.

2. Summary of Main Indicators

2.1 The following indicators were those initially reported by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

a) About your local area

• 79.2 per cent of the population were satisfied with their local area as a place to live

• 64.2 per cent felt they belong to their immediate neighbourhood

b) Your local public services

• 25.9% agreed or strongly agreed that provided value for money

• 40.2% were, taking everything into account, satisfied with the way Sefton Council runs things

c) Awareness of civil protection arrangements in local area

• 12 per cent of the population said that they were very well or fairly well informed about what to do in the event of a large-scale emergency e.g. flooding or human pandemic flu.

d) Local decision-making

• 23.2 per cent felt they could influence decisions in their local area

e) Helping out

• 18.3 per cent had participated in formal volunteering at least once a month in the last twelve months

f) Getting involved

• In the last 12 months, 10.8 per cent of the population had been involved in local decision-making (for example, being a member of a committee or groups relating to local services, education or standing as a local councillor)

g) Respect and consideration

• 32.5 per cent of the population felt that there were problems with people in their local area not treating one another with respect and consideration

• 74.1 per cent felt that they were treated with respect and consideration by local services

• 81 per cent felt that people from different backgrounds got on well together in their local area

h) Community Safety

• 33.3 per cent felt that drunk or rowdy behaviour was a problem in their area; for drug use or drug dealing the figure is 38.7%.

• 27.6 per cent felt that police and other local public services sought local people’s views on community safety issues; and 29.4% felt that these bodies were successfully dealing with these problems.

3. At a Glance

Indicator Sefton Reason for Result Result

NI 1: % of people who believe Majority of respondents (81%) are in people from different agreement and this compares well backgrounds get on well together ☺ with other authorities in their local area

NI 2: % of people who feel that Majority of respondents (64.2%) are they belong to their ☺ in agreement and this compares well neighbourhood with other authorities

NI 3: Civic participation in the Low percentage (10.8%) and local area compares badly to other authorities.

Indicator Sefton Reason for Result Result

NI 4: % of people who feel they Low percentage (23.2%) and can influence decisions in their compares badly to other authorities. locality

NI 5: Overall/general satisfaction Majority of respondents (79.2%) are with local area ☺ in agreement and this compares well with other authorities

NI 6: Participation in regular Low percentage (18.3%) and volunteering compares badly to other authorities. NI 17: Perceptions of anti-social Low percentage (22.6%) compared to behaviour ☺ many other authorities.

NI 21: Dealing with local Percentage who agree (29.4%) concerns about anti-social compares well with other authorities behaviour and crime issues by ☺ the local council and police

NI 22: Perceptions of parents Percentage who agree (30.3%) taking responsibility for the compares reasonably well with other behaviour of their children in the ☺ authorities area

NI 23: Perceptions that people in Percentage who disagree (32.5%) the area treat one another with ☺ compares reasonably well with other respect and consideration authorities NI 27: Understanding of local Percentage who agree (27.6%) concerns about anti-social compares reasonably well with other behaviour and crime issues by ☺ authorities the local council and police NI 37: Awareness of civil Low awareness (12%) and compares protection arrangements in the badly to other authorities. local area

NI 41: Perceptions of drunk or High percentage (33.3%) and rowdy behaviour as a problem compares badly to other authorities NI 42: Perceptions of drug use or High percentage (38.7%) and drug dealing as a problem compares badly to other authorities

NI 119: Self-reported measure of Majority of respondents (74.6%) people’s overall health and ☺ report good health and this compares wellbeing well with other authorities

NI 138: Satisfaction of people Majority of respondents (88.3%) are over 65 with both home and ☺ in agreement and this compares well neighbourhood with other authorities

Indicator Sefton Reason for Result Result

NI 139: The extent to which older Low percentage (30.2%) and people receive the support they compares badly to other authorities. need to live independently

NI 140: Fair treatment by local Majority of respondents (74.1%) are services ☺ in agreement and this compares well with other authorities

4. Sefton Place Survey 2008 Respondents

4.1 The tables below compare the demographics of the 2008 Place Survey respondents with the most recent Census results (2001) and the 2006 Best Value Survey results. The percentages given for the Place Survey and Best Value survey are the weighted percentages.

4.2 The age breakdown shows a greater number of responses in the 40 – 84 age range when compared to the 2001 Census. Age groupings for the 2008 Place Survey and 2006 Best Value survey are roughly similar.

2001 2006 Best 2008 Age Census Value Place % Survey Survey % 16-24 12.0 3.2 4.7 25-39 24.0 26.2 23.6 40-54 26.0 29.8 30.0 55-69 21.1 23.6 23.6 70-84 14.1 17.2* 15.5 85+ 2.8 0.00 2.6 100.0 100.0 100.0

* = 2006 Best Value figure is for 70+ and includes the 85+ group.

4.3 The breakdown by gender shows a greater number of female responses when compared to the 2001 Census and 2006 Best Value survey.

2001 2006 Best 2008 Gender Census Value Place % Survey Survey % Male 47.2 46.9 41.9 Female 52.8 53.1 58.1 100.0 100.0 100.0

4.4 The 2008 Place Survey responses were similar to the 2001 Census proportions allowing for the small numbers in most of the categories.

2008 2006 Best 2001 Place Ethnicity Value Census % Survey Survey % % White British 97.74 96.1 97.5 White Irish 0.60 1.1 1.0 White (Other) 0.50 1.4 0.4 Mixed White/Black 0.13 0.0 Caribbean Mixed White/Black 0.04 0.2 African Mixed White/Asian 0.11 0.1 0.3 Mixed (Other) 0.10 0.2 0.0 Asian/Asian British 0.23 0.1 0.0 (Indian) Asian/Asian British 0.06 0.0 (Pakistani) Asian/Asian British 0.04 0.0 (Bangladeshi) Asian/Asian British 0.05 0.4 0.1 (Other)

2008 2006 Best 2001 Place Ethnicity Value Census % Survey Survey % % Black/Black British 0.03 0.2 0.1 (Caribbean) Black/Black British 0.04 0.0 (African) Black/Black British 0.02 0.1 (Other) Chinese 0.23 0.1 0.0 Other Ethnic Group 0.08 0.3 0.1 100.0 100.0 100.0

4.5 The 2008 Place Survey responses show a reduction in the proportion of Council tenants and an increase in the number of Social Housing tenants.

2001 2006 Best 2008 Tenure Census Value Place % Survey % Survey % Own/buy 74.18 82.2 77.9 Private 7.63 6.6 8.0 Housing 5.48 3.5 7.1 Council 10.48 6.7 6.0 Other 2.24 1.0 1.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

4.6 The 2008 Place Survey shows a greater proportion of responses from retired people compared to the 2001 Census but less when compared to the 2006 Best Value Survey. The lower number of students is due in part to the Place Survey being aimed at respondents of 18 years and over.

2001 2006 Best 2008 Census Value Place Econ. Activity % Survey % Survey % full time 36.07 38.3 38.1 part time 12.7 12.6 11.2 self emp 6.89 6.6 6.3 Unemp 3.96 2.3 2.3 student 6.53 0.03 1.7 sick 8.13 6.4 7.8 retired 16.75 26.7 25.5 oth inactive 8.97 6.9 7.1 100.0 100.0 100.0

5. Safer Stronger Communities Partnership (SSCP) Safer and Stronger Survey - Current Performance

Litherland Sefton Crosby Formby Linacre & & Ford Southport NI Question Average ACA ACA Derby ACA AC A SEP ACA SONO ACA ACA People from diferent backgrounds can 1 get on well together 65.6 67.6 86.6 44.8 48.2 83.6 49.8 78.5 Very satisfied/satisfied with you local 5 area as aplace to live 73.1 84.1 89.2 51.5 59.2 85.2 55.5 87.2 Feel very strongly/strongly you belong 2 in the neighbourhood 64.5 68.8 76.6 55.2 56.5 71.6 55.5 67.1 Feel very strongly/strongly you can 4 influence decisions 19.4 21.4 19.2 22.5 21.4 17.2 17.5 16.5 In the last 12mths have you given any voluntary help to a 6 group/club/organisation 17.7 19.8 26.5 11.9 14.5 17.0 13.4 21.1 Do not think people not treating each other with respect is a big/fairly big 23 problem 73.2 83.0 97.9 46.3 56.9 95.5 39.0 93.7 Do not think people being drunk or rowdy in public is a big/fairly big 41 problem 74.6 78.5 95.8 46.2 54.6 95.6 61.0 90.6 Do not think drug use/selling is a 42 big/fairly big problem 71.8 81.1 95.6 40.4 50.8 94.1 49.0 91.9

Strongly agree/agree that the police/council understand local 27 concerns (seek views on ASB & crime) 42.6 36.9 42.0 53.0 49.1 33.4 45.3 38.4 Strongly agree/agree that the police/council are dealing with local 21 concerns (ASB & crime) 54.0 54.7 58.5 54.0 53.0 56.1 47.2 54.2 Do not think noisy neighbours/loud 17a* parties is a big/fairly big problem 88.5 93.8 99.0 72.6 78.1 99.0 81.0 95.9 Do not think teenagers hanging about 17b* is a big/fairly big problem 58.9 61.7 84.1 32.6 38.4 75.8 40.1 79.7 Do not think rubbish/litter is a big/fairly 17c* big problem 66.4 64.4 87.2 42.8 49.6 83.8 53.9 83.4 Do not think vandalism is a big/fairly 17d* big problem 75.8 83.2 93.8 53.0 57.0 92.5 61.2 89.9 Do not think abandoned/burnt out cars 17e* is a big/fairly big problem 94.1 96.6 99.5 85.1 88.9 99.6 90.3 98.9 Do not think people not treating each other with respect is a big/fairly big 17f* problem 71.8 81.1 95.6 40.4 50.8 94.1 49.0 91.9 Do not think people being drunk or rowdy in public is a big/fairly big 17g* problem 74.6 78.5 95.8 46.2 54.6 95.6 61.0 90.6 Do not think ASB is a big/fairly big 17 problem 75.7 79.9 93.6 53.2 59.6 91.5 62.4 90.0

* One of the seven strands that m ake up the overall perception of ASB

there is a 2.5% +/- weighting confidence level on all SSCP survey questions

Performance 2.5% below the Sefton average

Performance within 2.5% (+/-) of the Sefton average

Performance 2.5% above the Sefton average

6. Indicator Groupings

6.1 The results of the Place Survey group the indicators under a number of general themes, as follows:

a) About your local area

• NI 2 • NI 5 • NI 138

b) Awareness of civil protection arrangements in local area

• NI 37

c) Local decision-making

• NI 4

d) Helping out

• NI 6

e) Getting involved

• NI 3

f) Respect and consideration

• NI 1 • NI 22 • NI 23 • NI 139 • NI 140

g) Community Safety

• NI 17 • NI 21 • NI 27 • NI 41 • NI 42 • NI 119 7. Responses to Questions

7.1 In the tables the results for Local Authorities in Section 8 onwards, where the response rates was below 30% details are shown in italics, and an asterisk appears next to the authority name.

7.2 Definitions

The following definitions apply in relation to the questions asked:-

• “Your local area” – when completing the questionnaire, respondents were asked to consider “local area” as the area within 15-20 minutes walking distance from your home.

• “Civic participation ” – the ‘Getting involved’ section defines civic participation as being involved in any of the following in the preceding 12 months:

− Being a local councillor (for the local authority, town or parish)

− Being a member of a group making local decisions relating to any of the following: local health or education services; regeneration of the local area; to tackle local crime problems; a tenants group; services for young people; ant other group making decisions on services in the local community.

8. About your local area

8.1 NI 5

This question measures the proportion of the adult population who say they are ‘satisfied’, or ‘very satisfied’ with the area as a place to live. The highest percentages were 92.4% from the City of London and 92% from Richmond.

% who are satisfied with LOCAL AUTHORITY their local area ci (+/-) as a place to live (NI 5) Cheshire East 84.6 1.1 Cheshire West and Chester 83.4 1.2 Warrington Borough Council 83.3 2.6 Wirral MBC 82.2 2.4 ENGLAND 79.7 0.1 Lancashire County Council 79.2 0.8 Sefton Council 79.2 2.8 North West 76.9 0.4 St Helens Metropolitan MBC 74.2 3.0 Knowsley MBC 72.2 3.3 Wigan Council* 71.7 2.9 City Council* 71.3 3.3 Halton Borough Council* 70.4 3.0

In the 2006 Best Value survey 73.5% of respondents said that they were fairly satisfied or very satisfied with their local area as a place to live. The 2008 Place Survey therefore shows an increase in satisfaction.

Sefton’s score is fractionally lower than the England average and higher than the North West average. Sefton also scores highly compared to other Metropolitan Boroughs (top 10 of 36 below).

% who are satisfied with LOCAL AUTHORITY their local area as a place to live (NI 5) Solihull MBC 87.7 Stockport MBC 84.5 MBC 83.1 Wirral MBC 82.2 Gateshead MBC 81.3 Bury MBC 80.5 79.2 Sefton Council 79.2 78.5 City Council 78.5

The SSCP Survey figure for Sefton is 73.1%, with local figures ranging from 51.5% (Linacre/Derby) to 89.2% (Formby).

8.2 NI 2

This question measures the proportion of the adult population who feel ‘fairly strongly’, or ‘very strongly’ that they belong to their immediate neighbourhood. The highest percentage was from Eden District Council with 75.1%.

% who feel they belong to their immediate LOCAL AUTHORITY neighbourhood (NI 2) ci (+/-) Sefton Council 64.2 3.5 Lancashire County Council 62.9 1.0 Wirral MBC 61.6 3.1 Cheshire East 61.5 1.5 North West 59.5 0.5 Cheshire West and Chester 59.1 1.7 ENGLAND 58.7 0.2 Wigan Council* 58.6 3.2 Warrington Borough Council 58.0 3.5 Knowsley MBC 57.9 3.8 St Helens MBC * 57.2 3.4 * 55.3 3.7 Halton Borough Council* 54.8 3.4

Sefton scores highest compared to neighbouring authorities and highly compared to other Metropolitan Authorities.

% who feel they belong to their LOCAL AUTHORITY immediate neighbourhood (NI 2) 64.6 Sefton Council 64.2 Council 63.7 Gateshead MBC 62.4 Barnsley MBC 62.1 Rotherham MBC 62.0 Stockport MBC 61.9 Wirral MBC 61.6 MBC 61.5 Council 60.9 The SSCP Survey figure for Sefton is 64.5%, with local figures ranging from 55.2% (Linacre/Derby) to 76.6% (Formby).

8.3 NI 138

This question measures the percentage of people aged over 65 who respond that they are fairly satisfied or very satisfied with both their home and the area. Highest score nationally was South Hams with 96.4%, lowest was Newham with 54.7%.

% aged 65 and over who are satisfied with both LOCAL AUTHORITY home and neighbourhood (NI 138) Sefton Council 88.3 Cheshire East 87.8 Cheshire West and Chester 87.2 Wirral MBC 85.2 Warrington Borough Council 84.6 Lancashire County Council 84.1 ENGLAND 83.9 Knowsley MBC 83.9 St Helens MBC* 83.2 North West 82.5 Wigan Council* 79.2 Halton Borough Council* 77.2 Liverpool City Council* 76.1

Sefton’s score is higher than the England and North West averages and is highest of the neighbouring authorities. It is also 2 nd highest of 36 Metropolitan Authorities. Lowest is Salford with 71.8%.

% people aged 65 and over who LOCAL AUTHORITY are satisfied with both home and neighbourhood (NI 138) Solihull MBC 90.3 Sefton Council 88.3 Gateshead MBC 86.2 Dudley MBC 85.3 Trafford MBC 85.2 Wirral MBC 85.2 Calderdale MBC 85.1 Stockport MBC 84.1 Knowsley MBC 83.9 83.9

9. Your Local Public Services

9.1 The tables below show the results from the Place Survey 2008 and a comparison with the 2006 Best Value Survey Result.

Question: To what extent do you agree or disagree that Sefton Council provides value for money?

2008 Place Survey 2006 Best Value Question % Survey % Strongly Agree 2.9 5.2 Tend to Agree 23.0 38.0 Neither Agree or Disagree 35.9 Tend to Disagree 27.9 34.6 Strongly Disagree 10.3 22.2 100.0 100.0

The question in the 2006 Best Value survey was slightly different. Respondents were asked how much the statement “provides good value for money” applied to Sefton Council and were asked to select from the following options: “a great deal”, “to some extent”, “not very much” or “not at all”. There was no “agree or disagree” option but 20.4% of respondents either did not answer the question or answered “don’t know”. For the 2008 Place Survey only 6.6% of respondents either did not answer the question or answered “don’t know”.

The Sefton result of 25.9% is the lowest of the group of neighbouring authorities used as a comparison (highest is St Helens with 40% but their response rate did not meet the target) and is also lower than the North West average (32.3%) and the England average (33.2%).

Question: Taking everything into account, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the way Sefton Council runs things?

2006 Best 2008 Place Question Value Survey Survey % % Very Satisfied 4.0 6.1 Fairly Satisfied 36.2 44.4 Neither Satisfied nor dissatisfied 32.4 34.9 Fairly Dissatisfied 19.2 11.7 Very Dissatisfied 8.2 2.9 100.0 100.0

In the 2008 Place Survey 5.6% of respondents either did not answer this question or answered “don’t know”. For the 2006 Best Value survey this figure was 9.9%.

The Sefton result of 40.2% is the lowest of the group of neighbouring authorities used as a comparison (highest is Halton with 48.1% but their response rate did not meet the target) and is also lower than the North West average (42.6%) and the England average (45.4%).

Levels of satisfaction varied between services, the following table shows the results for the services covered by the Place Survey, together with North West and England averages. The table also includes the Sefton results for the 2006 Best Value Survey as a comparison.

% of residents Very or Fairly Satisfied with the following services

North Sefton Sefton England West 2008 2006 2008 2008 Keeping land clear of litter and 56.2% 65.6% 52.4% 56.9% refuse Refuse collection 66.5% 84.6% 76.1% 77.6% Doorstep recycling 69.7% 78.9% 69.4% 69.8% Local tips / household waste 81.6% 89.6% 73.9% 71.2% recycling centres Local transport information 57.2% 60.4% 48.9% 48.0% Local bus services 62.0% 63.7% 55.3% 55.2% Sports / leisure facilities 50.5% 54.5% 46.4% 46.2% Libraries 76.8% 75.4% 70.9% 69.0% Museums / galleries 41.7% 42.2% 43.4% 41.5% Theatres / concert halls 45.3% 50.1% 39.4% 43.2% Parks and open spaces 67.2% 70.8% 65.2% 68.5%

10. Awareness of civil protection arrangements in local area

10.1 NI 37

This question measures how well informed respondents feel about what to do in the event of a large-scale emergency such as flooding or human pandemic flu. The highest figure nationally was Kingston Upon Hull City Council with 31.7%.

% who feel informed about what to do in the LOCAL AUTHORITY ci (+/-) event of a large-scale emergency (NI 37) Halton Borough Council* 17.5 2.5 ENGLAND 15.3 0.1 Knowsley MBC 15.1 2.7 Lancashire County Council 14.5 0.7 North West 13.9 0.4 St Helens MBC 13.9 2.4 Cheshire West & Chester 12.5 1.1 Sefton Council 12.0 2.3 Wigan Council* 12.0 2.1 Wirral MBC 12.0 2.1 Liverpool City Council* 11.9 2.4 Warrington Borough Council 11.4 2.2 Cheshire East 11.0 1.0

Sefton scores badly compared with neighbouring authorities and other Metropolitan Authorities (bottom 10 of 36 below).

% who feel informed about what to do in the event of a large-scale LOCAL AUTHORITY emergency (NI 37) MBC 12.7 Sheffield City Council 12.7 Sefton Council 12.0 MBC 12.0 Wigan Council* 12.0 Wirral MBC 12.0 Liverpool City Council* 11.9 Stockport MBC 11.9 Trafford MBC 11.5 Oldham MBC 9.9

11. Local decision-making

11.1 NI 4

This question measures the proportion of the adult population who agree that they feel able to influence decisions affecting their local area. The highest figure nationally was from Newham London Borough Council with 45.7%. Results were generally higher in London than in the rest of the country.

% who agree that they LOCAL AUTHORITY can influence decisions ci (+/-) in their local area (NI 4) Knowsley MBC 32.2 3.8 St Helens MBC * 31.2 3.4 Warrington Borough Council 29.5 3.4 ENGLAND 28.9 0.2 Lancashire County Council 28.3 1.0 North West 27.4 0.5 Liverpool City Council* 27.2 3.6 Cheshire West and Chester 26.9 1.6 Wirral MBC 25.5 3.0 Halton Borough Council* 24.8 3.1 Cheshire East 24.2 1.4 Sefton Council 23.2 3.2 Wigan Council* 23.0 2.9

In the 2006 Best Value survey 33% of respondents definitely agreed or tended to agree that they could influence decisions in their local area. The 2008 Place Survey result shows a significant drop in performance against this indicator.

Sefton scores poorly in comparison with neighbouring authorities and is well below the average for England and the North West. Sefton also scores poorly compared with other Metropolitan Authorities (bottom 10 of 36 below).

% who agree that they can LOCAL AUTHORITY influence decisions in their local area (NI 4) Tameside MBC 25.0 Oldham MBC 24.9 Metropolitan Council 24.6 Bury MBC 23.7 * 23.5 MDC 23.2 Sefton Council 23.2 Wigan Council* 23.0 Walsall MBC 22.7 Doncaster MBC 22.1

The SSCP Survey figure for Sefton is 19.4%, with local figures from 16.5% (Southport) to 22.5% (Linacre/Derby).

The Place Survey also asked whether respondents would like to be more involved in local decision making. The highest figure nationally was Hackney with 39.1%, followed by Newham with 38.1%. Sefton scored poorly with 24.8%, which was the second lowest score compared to neighbouring authorities and in the bottom 10 of Metropolitan Authorities.

Generally speaking would you like to LOCAL AUTHORITY be more involved in the decisions that affect your local area? (%) Halton Borough Council* 31.3 Liverpool City Council* 30.1 Warrington Borough Council 28.4 Wigan Council* 28.0 Lancashire County Council 27.3 North West 27.2 St Helens MBC 27.1 Knowsley MBC 26.8 ENGLAND 26.6 Cheshire East 25.3 Wirral MBC 25.0 Sefton Council 24.8 Cheshire West and Chester 22.9

This could indicate a general lack of interest in getting involved in influencing decisions, or an apathy caused by lack of success in influencing decisions in the past.

In the 2006 Best Value survey 30.3% of respondents said that they would like to be more involved in the decisions that the Council makes that affect their local area, and 54.3% said that it would depend on the issue.

12. Helping out

12.1 NI 6

This question measures the number of respondents taking part at least once a month in formal volunteering activities in the 12 months before the survey. This was outside of anything that was a requirement of a job, and also excluded donating money. Highest score nationally was West Devon Borough Council with 35.9%.

% who have given unpaid LOCAL AUTHORITY help at least once per month ci (+/-) over the last 12 months (NI 6) Cheshire East 23.9 1.4 Lancashire County Council 23.9 0.9 Warrington BC 23.9 3.1 Cheshire West & Chester 23.6 1.5 ENGLAND 23.2 0.2 North West 22.2 0.5 Wirral MBC 21.2 2.7 St Helens MBC 20.8 2.9 Liverpool City Council* 20.6 3.1 Wigan Council* 19.8 2.7 Sefton Council 18.3 2.8 Halton Borough Council* 17.7 2.7 Knowsley MBC 14.3 2.7

Sefton scored poorly compared to neighbouring authorities and is below the averages for England and the North West. Sefton also scored poorly against other Metropolitan Authorities (25 th out of 36, highest Bradford with 27.1%, lowest Knowsley with 14.3%).

The SSCP Survey figure for Sefton is 17.7%, with local figures from 11.9% (Linacre/Derby) to 26.5% (Formby).

13. Getting involved

13.1 NI 3

This question measures the level of involvement in civic activities. These activities are defined as:-

• Been a local councillor (for the local authority, town or parish) • Member of a group making decisions on local health services • Member of a decision making group set up to regenerate the local area • Member of a decision making group set up to tackle local crime problems • Member of a tenants’ group decision making committee • Member of a group making decisions on local education services • Member of a group making decisions on local education services • Member of a group making decisions on local education services • Member of a group making decisions on local services for young people

Participation will be counted if the respondent signals taking part in at least one of any of the activities above in the last 12 months.

Highest score nationally was the City of London with 25.7%. The top 5 scores nationally all belong to London Boroughs.

% who have been involved in decisions that affect the LOCAL AUTHORITY ci (+/-) local area in the past 12 months (NI 3) ENGLAND 14.0 0.1 Lancashire County Council 13.6 0.7 Cheshire West and Chester 13.4 1.2 Liverpool City Council* 13.2 2.6 Cheshire East 12.9 1.0 North West 12.9 0.4 Warrington Borough Council 11.5 2.2 Sefton Council 10.8 2.2 Halton Borough Council* 10.5 2.1 Wirral MBC 10.0 1.9 Knowsley MBC 9.7 2.2 Wigan Council* 9.5 1.9 St Helens MBC 8.8 2.0

The table above shows that Sefton scores poorly when compared against neighbouring authorities, and Sefton also scores poorly against other Metropolitan Authorities (25 th of 36, highest is Oldham with 16.5%, lowest is Sunderland with 8.2%).

14. Respect and Consideration

The Place Survey provided information that shed light on community cohesion.

14.1 NI 23

This question measures the percentage of people who perceive people not treating one another with respect and consideration to be a problem in their area. The target is therefore a low percentage score. Lowest score nationally was West Devon with 14.3%, highest was Barking and Dagenham with 59.2%.

n the 2006 Best Value survey 50.1% of respondents said that “people not treating other people with respect and consideration” was a very big or fairly big problem in their local area. The 2008 Place Survey result therefore represents a significant improvement in this indicator.

% who think there is a problem with people not treating each other with LOCAL AUTHORITY ci (+/-) respect and consideration in their local area (NI 23) Cheshire East 25.6 1.4 Warrington Borough Council 27.4 3.2 Wirral MBC 28.7 3.0 Lancashire County Council 29.4 0.9 Cheshire West and Chester 29.8 1.6 ENGLAND 31.2 0.2 Sefton Council 32.5 3.5 North West 34.1 0.5 Halton Borough Council* 37.2 3.4 St Helens MBC 40.2 3.5 Wigan Council* 40.4 3.3 Liverpool City Council* 42.1 3.8 Knowsley MBC 45.9 3.9

Sefton’s score was slightly worse than the England average and slightly better than the North West average. Sefton is in the top 10 of Metropolitan Authorities. Bottom is Salford with 47.5%.

% who think there is a problem with people not treating each other LOCAL AUTHORITY with respect and consideration in their local area (NI 23) Solihull MBC 22.9 City Council 24.7 Stockport MBC 28.7 Wirral MBC 28.7 Trafford MBC 29.2 Leeds City Council 31.1 Bury MBC 32.1 Gateshead MBC 32.5 Sefton Council 32.5 Sheffield City Council 32.9

The SSCP Survey reports the percentage of respondents who do not think that there is a problem rather than the percentage who think that there is. The figure for Sefton is 73.2%, with local figures from 39% (St Oswalds/ Netherton/Orrell) to 97.9% (Formby).

14.2 NI 140

This question measures the number of people who, in the last year, would say that they were treated with respect and consideration by their local public services all the time or most of the time. Highest score nationally was South Norfolk with 83.8%, lowest was Newham with 56.4%.

% who would say that they have been treated with respect and LOCAL AUTHORITY ci (+/-) consideration by their local public services in the last year (NI 140) Knowsley MBC 78.2 3.3 Cheshire West and Chester 75.3 1.6 Warrington Borough Council 75.1 3.2 Wirral MBC 74.2 3.0 Sefton Council 74.1 3.3 St Helens MBC 73.5 3.2 Cheshire East 72.7 1.5 ENGLAND 72.4 0.2 Lancashire County Council 71.6 1.0 Liverpool City Council* 71.2 3.5 North West 70.1 0.5 Halton Borough Council* 67.9 3.4 Wigan Council* 66.1 3.3

Sefton’s score compares well with neighbouring authorities and is in the top 10 of 36 Metropolitan Authorities.

% who would say that they have been treated with respect and LOCAL AUTHORITY consideration by their local public services in the last year (NI 140) Knowsley MBC 78.2 Gateshead MBC 76.4 Newcastle City Council 74.7 Sunderland City Council 74.6 Solihull MBC 74.3 Wirral MBC 74.2 Sefton Council 74.1 73.8 St Helens MBC 73.5 South Tyneside Council 73.0

14.3 NI 1

This question measures the proportion of the adult population who say they ‘tend to agree’, or ‘definitely agree’ that their local area is a place where people from different backgrounds get on well. Highest score nationally was the City of London with 91.6%, lowest was Barking and Dagenham with 49.1%.

In the 2006 Best Value survey 61% of respondents said that they agreed or tended to agree that their local area was a place where people from different backgrounds get on well together. The 2008 Place Survey results show a significant improvement in this indicator.

% who agree that their local area is a place where people from LOCAL AUTHORITY ci 1 (+/-) different backgrounds get on well together (NI 1) Sefton Council 81.0 3.6 Warrington Borough Council 80.5 3.5 Wirral MBC 79.6 3.3 Cheshire East 78.9 1.6 Cheshire West and Chester 77.4 1.8 ENGLAND 76.4 0.2 Halton Borough Council* 74.5 3.9 Lancashire County Council 74.0 1.1 North West 73.6 0.6 St Helens MBC 73.5 4.1 Knowsley MBC 71.9 4.4 Liverpool City Council* 69.8 4.1 Wigan Council* 68.5 4.0

Sefton’s score is the highest among neighbouring authorities and second highest of the 36 Metropolitan Authorities (Oldham is lowest with 50.4%).

% who agree that their local area is a place where people from LOCAL AUTHORITY different backgrounds get on well together (NI 1) Trafford MBC 83.5 Sefton Council 81.0 Stockport MBC 80.6 Wirral MBC 79.6 78.4 Solihull MBC 77.8 South Tyneside Council 76.7 North Tyneside Council 76.4 Bury MBC 74.7 City Council* 74.5

The SSCP Survey figure for Sefton is 65.6%, with local figures from 44.8% (Linacre/Derby) to 86.6% (Formby).

14.4 NI 22

This question measures the percentage of people that agree that in their local area, parents take enough responsibility for the behaviour of their children. Highest score nationally was Ribble Valley with 50%, lowest was Bolsover with 15.9%.

In the 2006 Best Value survey 65.7% of respondents said that parents not taking enough responsibility for their children was a very big or fairly big problem.

% who agree that in their local area parents take LOCAL AUTHORITY enough responsibility for the behaviour of their children (NI 22) Cheshire East 34.4 Wirral MBC 32.5 Cheshire West and Chester 31.9 Lancashire County Council 30.6 Sefton Council 30.3 Warrington Borough Council 29.7 ENGLAND 29.6 North West 27.4 Halton Borough Council* 25.4 Liverpool City Council* 21.9 St Helens MBC 21.1 Wigan Council* 21.0 Knowsley MBC 19.0

Sefton’s score is higher than the England and North West averages, and compares favourably to neighbouring authorities. Sefton is also in the top 5 of 36 Metropolitan Authorities (Tameside is lowest with 18%)

% who agree that in their local area parents take enough LOCAL AUTHORITY responsibility for the behaviour of their children (NI 22) Wirral MBC 32.5 Newcastle City Council 31.3 Sheffield City Council 30.9 Trafford Council 30.7 Sefton Council 30.3 Solihull MBC 29.6 North Tyneside Council 29.4 Coventry City Council 29.0 Stockport MBC 28.9 City of Bradford MDC 28.7

14.5 NI 139

This question measures the proportion of the population expressing an opinion believing that older people locally receive the support they need to live independently at home as long as possible. The highest score nationally was West Somerset with 47.9%, lowest was Lambeth with 15.9%.

Sefton’s score is fractionally higher than the England average but lower than the North West average and near the bottom of the group of neighbouring authorities. Sefton is also 24 th out of 36 Metropolitan Authorities (Gateshead highest with 39.3%, Liverpool lowest with 26.6%).

% who think that older people in their local area get the help and LOCAL AUTHORITY support they need to continue to live at home for as long as they want to (NI 139) St Helens MBC 35.0 Lancashire County Council 32.9 Cheshire West and Chester 32.5 Knowsley MBC 32.2 North West 31.9 Warrington Borough Council 31.9 Wigan Council* 31.2 Cheshire East 31.0 Halton Borough Council* 30.6 Sefton Council 30.2 Wirral MBC 30.1 ENGLAND 30.0 Liverpool City Council* 26.6

15. Community safety

The Place Survey collected detailed information on peoples’ perceptions of crime and anti-social behaviour in their local area and the extent to which they felt that the police and other local services were dealing with these problems.

15.1 NI 17

This question measured the percentage of respondents with a high level of perceived anti-social behaviour and combines responses to seven questions about anti-social behaviour problems. The target is a low percentage. Lowest score nationally was Broadland with 5%, highest was Newham with 47.9%.

% who think that anti-social LOCAL AUTHORITY behaviour is a problem in their local area (NI 17) Warrington Borough Council 15.6 Cheshire East 16.3 Lancashire County Council 18.6 Wirral MBC 18.7 Cheshire West and Chester 19.6 ENGLAND 20.0 Sefton Council 22.6 North West 22.9 Halton Borough Council* 24.4 Wigan Council* 26.1 St Helens MBC 26.2 Knowsley MBC 27.9 Liverpool City Council* 31.4

Sefton’s score is slightly higher than the England average but fractionally lower than the North West average. Sefton is 12 th highest on a list of 36 Metropolitan Authorities. Stockport is lowest with 16%, Rochdale highest with 35.7%.

% who think that anti-social behaviour is LOCAL AUTHORITY a problem in their local area (NI 17) Stockport MBC 16.0 Trafford MBC 17.0 Solihull MBC 17.3 Wirral MBC 18.7 North Tyneside Council 19.0 Gateshead MBC 19.0 Coventry City Council 20.0 South Tyneside Council 20.4 Newcastle City Council 20.7 Leeds City Council 22.1 Calderdale MBC 22.3 Sefton Council 22.6

The SSCP Survey reports the percentage of respondents who do not think that there is a problem rather than the percentage who think that there is. The figure for Sefton is 75.7%, with local figures from 53.2% (Linacre/Derby) to 93.6% (Formby).

15.2 NI 41

This question measures how much of a problem respondents think people being drunk or rowdy in public places is in the local area. The target is a low percentage. Lowest percentage nationally was South Cambridgeshire with 8.6%, highest was Newham with 51.6%.

In the 2006 Best Value survey 36.6% of respondents said that “people being drunk or rowdy in public places” was a very big or fairly big problem. The 2008 Place Survey result shows a reduction in this indicator.

Sefton’s score is higher than the England and North West averages, and compares poorly in comparison to neighbouring authorities. Sefton is also 25 th out of 36 Metropolitan Authorities (Solihull scores lowest with 22.7%, highest with 42.7%).

The SSCP Survey reports the percentage of respondents who do not think that there is a problem rather than the percentage who think that there is. The figure for Sefton is 74.6%, with local figures from 46.2% (Linacre/Derby) to 95.8% (Formby).

% who think that drunk and rowdy behaviour is a LOCAL AUTHORITY ci (+/-) problem in their local area (NI 41) Warrington Borough Council 23.9 3.0 Lancashire County Council 28.0 0.9 ENGLAND 29.0 0.2 Cheshire West and Chester 29.4 1.6 Cheshire East 29.5 1.4 Wirral MBC 29.5 3.0 Knowsley MBC 30.9 3.6 North West 31.9 0.5 Halton Borough Council* 32.2 3.2 Liverpool City Council* 32.8 3.6 Sefton Council 33.3 3.5 St Helens MBC 34.0 3.3 Wigan Council* 35.9 3.2

15.3 NI 42

This question measures how much of a problem respondents think people using or dealing drugs is in the local area. The target is a low percentage. Lowest percentage nationally was Richmond Upon Thames with 10.3%, highest was Newham with 60.7%.

In the 2006 Best Value survey 48.9% of respondents said that “people using or dealing drugs” was a very big or fairly big problem. The 2008 Place Survey result shows a significant drop in the number of people who think that this is a problem in their local area.

Sefton’s score is higher than the England and North West averages and is among the highest compared to neighbouring authorities. Sefton’s score is 18 th lowest of 36 Metropolitan Authorities (Stockport is lowest with 22.2%, Bradford is highest with 50.1%).

% who think that drug use or drug dealing is a LOCAL AUTHORITY ci (+/-) problem in their local area (NI 42) Cheshire East 26.0 1.5 Warrington Borough Council 26.0 3.4 Wirral MBC 29.7 3.2 Lancashire County Council 29.8 1.0 ENGLAND 30.5 0.2 Cheshire West and Chester 32.3 1.7 North West 34.8 0.5 Wigan Council* 38.0 3.4 Sefton Council 38.7 3.8 Halton Borough Council* 40.8 3.6 St Helens MBC * 42.1 3.7 Liverpool City Council* 46.4 3.9 Knowsley MBC 47.4 4.1

The SSCP Survey reports the percentage of respondents who do not think that there is a problem rather than the percentage who think that there is. The figure for Sefton is 71.8%, with local figures from 40.4% (Linacre/Derby) to 95.6% (Formby).

15.4 NI 27

This question measures the percentage of respondents who agree that the police and local council seek people’s views about the anti-social behaviour and crime issues that matter in this area. Highest score nationally was the City of London with 53.9%, lowest was East Northamptonshire with 17.8%.

% who agree that the police and other local public services seek LOCAL AUTHORITY people's views about ci (+/-) anti-social behaviour and crime in their local area (NI 27) Lancashire County Council 28.4 0.9 Sefton Council 27.6 3.2 Liverpool City Council* 27.5 3.3 St Helens MBC* 26.5 3.0 Knowsley MBC 26.2 3.3 North West 25.6 0.5 Cheshire East 25.0 1.3 ENGLAND 24.8 0.2 Cheshire West and Chester 24.6 1.4 Warrington Borough Council 24.2 3.0 Wirral MBC 22.4 2.6 Halton Borough Council* 21.1 2.7 Wigan Council* 21.1 2.6

Sefton’s score, although must lower than the highest nationally, is higher than the England and North West averages and higher than most neighbouring authorities. Sefton is also in the top 10 of 36 other Metropolitan Authorities (lowest is Kirklees with 18.1%).

% who agree that the police and other local public services seek people's views LOCAL AUTHORITY about anti-social behaviour and crime in their local area (NI 27) South Tyneside Council 33.6 Gateshead MBC 32.3 North Tyneside Council 31.4 Sunderland City Council 28.7 Newcastle City Council 28.3 Sefton Council 27.6 Liverpool City Council* 27.5 * 26.7 St Helens MBC * 26.5 Knowsley MBC 26.2

The SSCP Survey figure for Sefton is 42.6%, with local figures from 33.4% (St Oswalds/Netherton/Orrell) to 53% (Linacre/Derby).

15.5 NI 21

This question measures the percentage of respondents who agree or that the police and other local public services are successfully dealing with anti- social behaviour and crime in the local area. Highest score nationally was the City of London with 53.1%, the next highest was Ribble Valley with 40.1%. Lowest score nationally was Ashfield with 16%.

% who agree that the police and other local public services are LOCAL AUTHORITY successfully dealing with ci (+/-) anti-social behaviour and crime in their local area (NI 21) Lancashire County Council 29.8 0.9 Sefton Council 29.4 3.3 St Helens MBC 29.0 3.1 Liverpool City Council* 27.4 3.3 Knowsley MBC 26.6 3.3 Cheshire West and Chester 26.5 1.5 ENGLAND 26.3 0.2 North West 25.7 0.5 Cheshire East 25.4 1.3 Wirral MBC 25.3 2.8 Warrington Borough Council 24.0 3.0 Halton Borough Council* 21.2 2.8 Wigan Council* 19.7 2.6

Sefton’s score is higher than the England and North West averages and is also in the top 10 of 36 other Metropolitan Authorities (Rochdale was lowest with 17.3%).

% who agree that the police and other local public services are successfully LOCAL AUTHORITY dealing with anti-social behaviour and crime in their local area (NI 21) North Tyneside Council 33.4 South Tyneside Council 33.4 Gateshead MBC 32.5 Newcastle City Council 29.9 Sefton Council 29.4 St Helens MBC 29.0 Sunderland City Council 27.7 Sheffield City Council 27.6 Liverpool City Council* 27.4 City Council 27.2

The SSCP Survey figure for Sefton is 54%, with local figures from 47.2% (St Oswalds/Netherton/Orrell) to 58.5% (Formby).

16. About yourself

16.1 NI 119

This question measures the percentage of respondents who gave their health status as ‘very good’ or ‘good’ when asked the question ‘How is your health in general?’. Highest score nationally was the City of London with 89.1%, lowest was with 63.6%.

% who say their health LOCAL AUTHORITY is good or very good (NI ci (+/-) 119) Warrington Borough Council 79.4 2.8 Cheshire East 79.2 1.2 Cheshire West and Chester 78.1 1.4 ENGLAND 75.8 0.2 Sefton Council 74.6 3.1 Lancashire County Council 73.7 0.9 Wirral MBC 73.6 2.8 North West 73.4 0.5 Halton Borough Council* 72.8 3.0 Liverpool City Council* 72.3 3.3 St Helens MBC 71.0 3.1 Knowsley MBC 69.4 3.4 Wigan Council* 68.2 3.0

Sefton’s score is slightly lower than the England average but higher than the North West average and compares well against neighbouring authorities. Sefton is also in the top 10 of 36 Metropolitan Authorities (top 10 listed below, lowest is Sandwell).

% who say their health is good or LOCAL AUTHORITY very good (NI 119) Trafford MBC 78.4 Stockport MBC 78.1 Solihull MBC 77.8 Bury MBC 76.9 City of Bradford MDC 76.1 Sefton Council 74.6 Calderdale MBC 74.5 Sheffield City Council 74.3 Coventry City Council 73.9 Wirral MBC 73.6

ITEM NO.

17. Data Quality

17.1 NI scores and confidence levels are listed below.

Confidence Indicator % Score Interval (+/-) NI 1 81 3.6 NI 2 64.2 3.5 NI 3 10.8 2.2 NI 4 23.2 3.2 NI 5 79.2 2.8 NI 6 18.3 2.8 NI 17 22.6 3.0 NI 21 29.4 3.3 NI 22 30.3 3.3 NI 23 32.5 3.5 NI 27 27.6 3.2 NI 37 12.0 2.3 NI 41 33.3 3.5 NI 42 38.7 3.8 NI 119 74.6 3.1 NI 138 88.3 4.6 NI 139 30.2 3.3 NI 140 74.1 3.3

19. Recommendations

19.1 The Cabinet Member for Performance and Governance is recommended to:-

a) Note the content of this report.

SEFTON COUNCIL EXECUTIVE REPORT Page No.