Satisfaction with Brent as a place to live is higher than ever according to the latest independent residents' survey of the area.
The survey revealed that men are more likely than women to be satisfied with their area as a place to live and younger people between 24- and 34-years-of-age are happier than older adults with their surroundings.
The Residents' Attitude Survey is carried out by polling organisation, Ipsos MORI, every three years and includes questions on crime, litter, community relations and council services.
Satisfaction with Brent Council has also improved and is the best ever in terms of overall feedback on services and facilities, with half agreeing that the council is making the area a good place to live and the majority of results indicating a positive view of the local authority. The Brent Magazine, which is published by the council, remains a popular channel of communication, with over half of those who responded naming it as their primary source of information about council services (56 per cent).
Three quarters of those surveyed believe that it is a place where people from different backgrounds get on well together and the proportion of people who feel that there is a strong sense of community in the area has risen since 2005 (from 37 per cent to 51 per cent).
Crime, which is one of Brent Council's four key priorities, is still a big issue for residents and is viewed by 52 per cent as an important factor in making somewhere a good place to live. Perceptions of low-level crime have improved with a smaller proportion saying that they feel threatened by crime and an increase in those saying that they feel safe in their local area. The number of respondents who said the council should spend more money on fighting crime fell from 30 per cent in 2005 to 16 per cent this year.
Councillor Paul Lorber, Leader of Brent Council, said: "Satisfaction is up in almost every area in this year's survey including services that the council provides, as well as wider issues such as 'sense of community' and 'fear of crime'. However, we are not complacent and we remain committed to delivering a more efficient council and a cleaner, greener and safer borough."
On the 2009 survey, request a printed copy by telephoning the council on 020 8937 1057.
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