The majority of West Somerset Council’s customers are satisfied with their local authority, believe it provides value for money and treats them with respect. According to a survey sent out with the annual Council Tax bill, the average satisfaction with services runs at 79.2% - an increase over the previous year. The Council also gets high marks for the way it runs things with 81.5% of respondents satisfied, an increase on each of the previous three years.
Almost nine of out ten of respondents firmly believe the Conservative-controlled West Somerset Council provides value for money at 89.2% - the highest figure in the past four years.
The survey, also accessible online, in paper format and via social media, saw 667 people respond by the end of June this year.
People were asked about their satisfaction with specific services – waste collection topped the poll with 91% of respondents satisfied, closely followed by community safety at 88% and Council Tax at 84%.
Satisfaction with the way the Council runs things rose from 73.3% in 2013 to 81.5% this year while the number of people who feel the Council treats them with respect and consideration most or all of the time stood at 93%.
Cllr Tim Taylor, Leader of the Council, said: “West Somerset Council has improved its performance significantly in recent years and will make further improvements through the partnership and shared officer team with Taunton Deane Borough Council.
“West Somerset Council remains a democratically elected council, setting its own priorities and budgets. It has survived problems and challenges, not least those imposed by significant cuts in its Government funding, but is ambitious to serve the needs of the people of West Somerset.
“The results of the annual customer satisfaction survey are very pleasing but we are not complacent and will strive for further improvements.”