6. Equalities questionnaire
A questionnaire was sent out to the 26 equalities organisations within the district representing the equalities characteristics we wanted to target. These were lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, minority ethnic groups, disability groups including people with physical disabilities.
The questionnaire was also sent to our councillors and town and parish councils for them to send onto equalities groups in their area. We also sent it to EDVSA who have a list of community and voluntary groups in the district and they advertised this opportunity to their members. We received 48 completed questionnaires back.
Key outcomes from our equalities survey are as follows:
Our services
- 89 per cent are happy with the landfill waste collection
- 86 per cent are happy with the green recycling box collection and 90 per cent were happy with the blue food caddy collection
- 81 per cent are satisfied with parks, public gardens, play areas and open spaces
- 43 per cent are satisfied with off street council car parks
Your well-being and safety
- 54 per cent are satisfied with housing advice and housing services, 15 per cent are dissatisfied
- 56 per cent are satisfied with housing benefit and council tax benefit, 25 per cent are dissatisfied
- 68 per cent are satisfied with the Home Safeguard service, 21 per cent are dissatisfied
- 93 per cent feel safe outside in their local area during the day
- 74 per cent feel safe outside in their local area after dark, 14 per cent feel unsafe
- 18 per cent feel noisy neighbours or loud parties are a very or fairly big problem in their local area and 82 per cent feel this isn’t really a problem
- 30 per cent feel people being rowdy or drunk in public places is a very or fairly big problem and 69 per cent feel this isn’t really a problem
Overall
- 63 per cent are satisfied with the way we run things, with 15 per cent dissatisfied (most who are dissatisfied mentioned planning issues)
- 68 per cent feel we treat them fairly, 9 per cent feel we don't treat them fairly
- 66 per cent feel we respond quickly when they ask us for help, 13 per cent disagreed
- 34 per cent feel we act on what local residents say either a great deal or a fair amount, 66 per cent feel that we don’t act on what local residents say (this is mainly due to planning matters)
Communication with us
- 62 per cent feel we keep them very or fairly well informed, 38 per cent feel we don’t keep them well informed
- 51 per cent agree that information they need from us is easy to understand, 23 per cent disagree
- 53 per cent agree that information they need from us is easy to get hold of, 11 per cent disagree
- the majority of respondents would rather deal with us by phone, in person or by letter
Services we support
- 60 per cent are satisfied with Leisure East Devon, 20 per cent are dissatisfied
- 64 per cent are satisfied with the Pavilion Theatre in Exmouth, 21 per cent are dissatisfied
- 36 per cent are satisfied with the Thelma Hulbert Gallery in Honiton, 36 per cent are dissatisfied
- 60 per cent are satisfied with the Manor Pavilion Theatre in Sidmouth, 13 per cent are dissatisfied