Information Bulletin
06 October 2004
Your Voice - First Survey Results
The results of the first "Your Voice" survey of 600 people across Shetland are now available.
This survey was organised by the Community Planning Board partnership of public sector, community and business. The findings are available to organisations in Shetland who deliver services to the public, to assist them in making decisions about those services and the public, to share their views back to them.
In the first questionnaire we were looking for views in the following areas:
• opinions about living in Shetland;
• information and contact with public organisations;
• the importance of public services and their quality;
• issues facing Shetland and how well they're currently being tackled; and
• neighbourhood issues.
LIVING IN SHETLAND
We asked the panel what they liked most about the area in which they lived. 44% mentioned community spirit and friendliness and 40% the peace and quiet. The environment and safety of Shetland are also significant reasons for liking the area.
In contrast, 19% said there was nothing they didn't like, but 17% said external transport costs, 18% lack of entertainment and 10% inadequate public transport.
As providers of services we will seek to maintain and develop the continued community spirit, tranquility and safety of Shetland, as well as ensuring the environment is maintained/enhanced. These aspects should continue to be used to promote Shetland. Equally the results demonstrate a need to continue to address external and internal transport as priorities.
CONTACTING PUBLIC ORGANISATIONS
In general, the panel told us that you were either fairly or very satisfied with the methods available for contacting public services and the service that you received. However, most of these were fairly satisfied, indicating that we have room for improvement!
The two issues that stand out with regard to the reasons for a particular contact being poor are "Not being able to speak to someone who can give an answer" (16%) and "Being passed to several members of staff and having to repeat the same information several times" (16%).
This indicates the continued need for partners to work together more effectively within and between organisations and a general need to improve how we handle requests for information or services from our customers.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SERVICES AND SATISFATION
When asked what was felt to be the priority for Shetland, most respondents (55%) said that it was to invest to ensure financial sustainability for future generations. Whilst 23% said maintaining high quality public services and 22% investing in economic growth.
Results showed that education, health care and attracting new jobs and business to Shetland were the most important services. And those services that we are not so good at delivering are: tackling anti-social behaviour (53% of the panel), attracting new jobs and businesses (45%), Recycling (38%) and Transport within Shetland (34%).
We will build this information in when we are looking at how to improve or enhance services and be aware of it when making priority decisions.
ISSUES FACING SHETLAND AND HOW WELL THEY'RE CURRENTLY BEING TACKLED
The panel indicated they felt we were good at tackling: Treating people with ill health (83%), Improving the standards in education and training (83%), Meeting the needs of older people (79%) and Developing skills and training (74%), in addition to Meeting the needs of people with disabilities, Keeping the local environment tidy and Meeting the needs of young people.
However, they indicated that the areas in which issues needed to be addressed, and weren't currently being tackled so well were creating jobs (33%), developing external transport links (31%), diversifying the Shetland economy (31%) and marketing Shetland (28%).
We therefore understand that these are issues that people in Shetland are particularly concerned about and will seek to work together to tackle them by the combined efforts of public agencies and communities.
NEIGHBOURHOOD ISSUES
When asked about their local area, the top three issues from the results all related to drugs and drink, with in between 70% and 80% seeing these as a problem.
Other issues related to facilities for young people and youth disorder issues such as lack of facilities for young people, young people hanging about the streets and vandalism, graffiti or other deliberate damage to property.
There is therefore a need for organisations to continue and improve, initiatives to tackle drugs and drinking, anti-social behaviour, lack of facilities for young people and speeding traffic/bad driving.
A more detailed report of survey findings is available at www.shetland.gov.uk .
The second questionnaire will be issued in mid-November, when we'll be asking for views on some of the biggest choices and issues facing Shetland at this time. This questionnaire will be one of a number of ways that the Community Planning partners will be involving people across Shetland, throughout November, in the development of a long-term vision. This is being done to set, and then deliver together, a clear direction for the future of Shetland.
For further information please contact:
John Smith, Head of Organisational Development, SIC on 744513.
Ends