Results of Merton’s Annual Residents’ Survey, published today, show more residents than ever think the council is efficient and well run (72%) and gives value for money (57%).  Figures also reveal residents consistently agreeing that Merton Council is doing a good job (79%). In all these areas, Merton is outperforming London.

In more “best evers” for Merton, the number of people who say the level of council tax is in their top three concerns is at an all-time low. This number has fallen every year since 2010.

The number of park users rating the borough’s parks, playgrounds and open spaces as good to excellent is at its highest in the history of the Annual Residents’ Survey.

Library users have also given Merton all-time high satisfaction levels, at 82%.

Although satisfaction with the way the council deals with graffiti (63%) and litter (61%) remains consistently positive, concern about the effects of people littering is increasing, and more residents cite litter as one of their top three concerns than any other issue.

The survey of young people shows they have similar concerns to adults. Eighty-nine percent of young people agreed that Merton is a good place to live and most young people feel they get the services they need from the council and that the council does enough to protect them. The effects of people littering is their top concern too.

Leader of Merton Council Councillor Stephen Alambritis said: “What residents are telling us reflects our determination to run the council in a businesslike way, and to keep council tax down. People recognise we are having to make tough choices in order to offer good value, and we have announced proposals to freeze Council Tax for a record fifth year.

“These are difficult times, but residents appreciate our efforts to make Merton a good place to live and to spend their leisure time. We are proud that our award-winning libraries are more popular than ever, particularly at a time when other councils have had to shut theirs.

“We face ever-tightening financial constraints but despite the huge cuts already imposed we have continued to improve. We will step up our fight against those few people who drop litter and spoil our great borough for the majority. We will strengthen enforcement and work with community groups and schools to keep the streets clean.”

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

The full Annual Residents’ Survey is at: http://www.merton.gov.uk/residentssurvey

The Annual Residents’ Survey is conducted with more than 1,000 adults, covering a broad range of ages, ethnicities, tenure, residence and family compositions.  In addition to this, a specific survey of 200-300 young people aged 11-17 is also conducted.