Item 10 APPENDIX 4
West Dunbartonshire Council · 30 October 2024
Back to West Dunbartonshire Council — 30 October 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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1 West Dunbartonshire Citizens Panel Spring 2024 Survey Results West Dunbartonshire Citizens Panel provides an opportunity for residents to give their views on the Council and its services. This document presents the key findings from the online Spring 2024 survey. The responses of our members inform service development and improvements to ensure we meet the needs of our residents now and in the future. This year’s survey was themed on the four priority areas of the Council’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan, to help us understand any changes over time, and people’s priorities. 1. Our Communities 2. Our Environment 3. Our Economy 4. Our Council 309 responses were received, 10% more than the 2023 survey. Self-selection bias can occur when survey respondents decide for themselves whether they participate. Self-selection can lead to biased data, as mix of respondents who choose to participate may not well represent the entire target population. The respondent profile in this survey was generally representative of demographic groups in West Dunbartonshire, apart from younger age groups, and an over representation of women. Home owners are over represented and social rented and private rented tenants are under-represented. Following a campaign to improve representation from younger age groups, as these were underrepresented, we have seen an upturn in participation amongst the 16-24 and 25-34 age groups. There was good geographical representation from across our areas. The respondent’s breakdown shows, 9% from G60, 5% from G63, 26% from G81, 31% from G82, 20% from G83 and 9% from the G13/14 area. We have highlighted any significant differences from different groups in responses. Summary of findings • 77% of respondents rated West Dunbartonshire as a good place to live • 59% of respondents felt they had no barriers to digital inclusion • 31% of respondents said they had some concerns about their finances, with 7% say they had serious concerns We look at the results in more detail below. APPENDIX 4
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2 1. Our Communities Living in West Dunbartonshire 77% of people rated their local neighbourhood as a very good/ good place to live. 16.00 52.00 56.00 185.00 Very poor Very good Poor Good 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 How would you rate your local area as a place to live? 43% of people felt their local area had stayed about the same compared with the previous year, 19% felt it had improved whilst 38% felt it had got worse. Improvements to social housing, town centre regeneration, particularly in Alexandria, and environmental improvements had enhanced the overall look of the area. Unattractive town centres and lack of amenities was cited as reasons for a perceived deterioration in the local areas has a place to live. 132.00 22.00 19.00 95.00 41.00 Stayed about the same Got much worse Got much better Got a bit worse Got a bit better 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 How has your local area changed over the last year?
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3 Digital inclusion 59% noted no barriers to digital communications.41% noted some barriers to using digital communications, the three most common areas noted were broadband affordability, online safety and poor mobile phone reception. Overall, 79% of respondents were aware of sources of digital support in West Dunbartonshire Council through libraries and the Community Learning and Development team. 6.00 181.00 30.00 17.00 46.00 48.00 54.00 43.00 Other No concerns lack of digital skills Poor accessiblity Poor mobile phone... Worries abour online safety Broadband affordability Device affordability 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 Barriers to using digital technology Health and Wellbeing 69% of people reported they felt their physical health was very good/good. Very good Good Poor Very poor Prefer not to say 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 Mental health Physical health Health and Wellbeing
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4 70% of people reported they felt their mental health was very good/good. In common with results from the 2023 Citizens Panel, women are more likely to report poor or very poor mental health compared to men. Overall, men also reported better physical health than women. Disabled people reported worse physical and mental health than non-disabled people. Home owners reported better physical and mental health than renters. How we are responding: Digital support: We offer a wide variety of free computer related courses to help users get online and become digitally included. This includes computers for the absolute beginner; smart phones and tablets; word processing; next steps in computing and digital drop in sessions. All details can be found here: Computer Courses | West Dunbartonshire Council (west- dunbarton.gov.uk) Community safety: To promote community safety, aid the detection of crime and improve feeling of safety in the community We are investing in CCTV upgrades throughout West Dunbartonshire. Housing Regeneration: We are investing to improve housing in West Dunbartonshire including new building and sustainability projects. Over the last few years, in partnership with other local housing providers we have delivered new social rented homes in areas such as Queens Quay, Clydebank and Old Kilpatrick. We have also increased our housing stock through the buyback scheme to assist the demand for social housing in key areas. Cost of living: We have committed £1million pounds to supporting people and community organisations with the cost of living as well as £250k for Community success & £100k to support young people
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5 2. Our Environment In common with earlier surveys carried out, there was strong support for actions on climate change and adaptation. There was considerable concern about flooding, with a commonality of actions suggested, including more education around recycling, protecting greenspaces, tree planting, re wilding and not expanding use of concrete driveways/ pathways. Access to public transport Good quality pavements Access to leisure facilities Good quality roads Access to green spaces Feeling safe in the community Arts & Cultural opportunities Good quality housing 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Very Important Important Somewhat important Not important Quality of life in the built environment 78% of people stated access to public transport and good quality pavements were very important to them. Other areas that were noted as very important include good quality roads and access to leisure facilities. 75% of people felt improved roads and pavements would support use of a wider range of more environmentally sustainable transport, more regular and cheaper public transport, more cycling routes and parking enforcement were also noted. 232.00 136.00 132.00 101.00 74.00 70.00 63.00 54.00 50.00 29.00 Improved roads & pavements More regular public transport Cheaper public transport Parking enforcement More cycling routes Accessible Public Transport Electric car charging points Increased disabled parking bays Wheelchair & scooter accessiblilty Car share/club 0 50 100 150 200 250 Sustainability improvements
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6 How we are responding: Green Flag We continue to embed climate change in the primary & secondary curriculum, strengthen the Green Flag scheme in schools and support pupils to make climate-friendly choices. Net Zero We have Established an innovative Net Zero Cooperation Agreement with Glasgow City Council to share skills, resources and infrastructure to help deliver our Climate Change goals. We have expanded the Queens Quay District Heating Network, with the connection to 46 Clydebank Housing Association flats. Energy Efficient Homes We have made significant improvements made to council owned properties in relation to energy efficiency improvements contributing to the Council strategic priority as well as contributing to potential reduction in fuel poverty for tenants. Community Volunteering We have engaged with in excess of 240 volunteers to carry out environmental improvement work. Active Travel Our active travel strategy and carried out consultation with stakeholders. outlines our vision and plan for promoting walking, wheeling, and cycling within our community in alignment with Scotland's national ambitions.
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7 3. Our Economy 47.00 23.00 165.00 74.00 Very secure Very concerned Fairly secure Fairly concerned 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 Financial security 69% of people reported no issues with their finances. Those aged 35–44 years were the most likely to have some level of concern about their finances (42%) with the 16-24 age group having the least concern, albeit marginally behind most other groups. 66.7% of social rented tenants compared to only 21% of home owners said they had concerns about their finances. 26% said reduced transport costs, and 19% said more access to public transport would help finances. 21% said more childcare and 15% said free school meals would be beneficial. More flexibility from employers for home working and access to training were noted by 24% of respondents. 21.00 38.00 45.00 86.00 46.00 21.00 34.00 26.00 18.00 45.00 85.00 Digital Skills training Training & Development Home working Reduced transport costs Accessible public transport Free school meals Free child care provision Cease zero hours contract More work hours Living wage salary Other 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Financial Security improvements 48% of agreed it was easy to travel out with WD for work, 49% agreed it was easy to travel within the area for work.
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8 48% stated WD felt like a successful place. A large number of people answerred neutral to all of the questions. 46.00 106.00 120.00 5.005.00 5.0044.00 129.00 68.00 36.00 7.0035.00 169.00 48.00 23.00 15.00 71.00 168.00 20.008.00 7.0035.00 169.00 48.00 23.00 46.00 106.00 120.00 5.005.00 46.00 106.00 120.00 5.005.00 15.00 71.00 168.00 20.008.00 WD feels like a successful place WD is a good business location Range of job opportunities Help to find a job in WD Easy to find a job in WD It is easy to work at home in WD Ease of travel to work out with WD Ease of travel to work within WD 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree Work and Employment 74% of people shop for groceries and general household items within the WD area, similarly the majority of people 66%, shop local for trades such as plumbers. Overwhelmingly, all other purchases, including entertainment, are done out with the WD area. 40.00 175.00 26.0041.00 42.00 129.00 101.00 10.00 57.00 149.00 72.00 4.00 82.00 168.00 2.0030.00 199.00 27.0027.0029.00 226.00 33.0020.003.00 Cars, Kitchens Electronic items Clothing Entertainment Trade services Groceries & household items 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 In WD Outwith WD Online N/A Shopping behaviours
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9 How we are responding: Regeneration of town centres We have ongoing regeneration work in town centres, with more planned, and detailed on our website. Economic Development Our Economic Development Strategy for 2020-2027 details our overall approach to sustainable and inclusive growth. We are progressing the transformation of the former Exxon site in Bowling to help boost the local economy and enhance our environment. Progressed work to create a major £44m industrial and commercial development at the former ExxonMobil terminal in Bowling, with detailed planning approval granted for work to begin. Part of the Glasgow City Region City Deal, the development will bring up to 1,000 jobs and investment, drive economic renewal and deliver green infrastructure. Supporting people into work and education We have supported nearly 450 people to secure a nationally recognised qualification, assisted 305 people to progress in the workplace through apprenticeships or training, and supported 439 people into work, the highest in five years. New Business start ups Supported 200 new business start-ups and developed and implemented a range of business interventions, through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, to provide growth support to local businesses.
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10 4. Our Council Perception of the Council As with previous surveys including the 2023 Citizens Panel, respondents were less positive across all areas with common questions, than telephone survey respondents. It is important to note that Citizens Panel respondents are self- selecting, whilst those to the Telephone Survey are selected at random. 21.00 130.00 107.00 50.00 22.00 108.00 114.00 64.00 20.00 124.00 111.00 53.00 21.00 119.00 104.00 64.00 22.00 102.00 112.00 72.00 WDC services are value for money WDC takes account of residents' views WDC communicates well WDC is well run WDC is open and transparent 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Very satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied Very dissatisifed Perception of the Council 59% of people liked to receive information about the Council from the Council Facebook page, closely followed by the Council website 51%. Text alerts and other social media channels were also noted as key areas where residents look for council information. 72% of respondents noted Facebook as the most commonly used social media channel, Instagram and twitter were the second and third most widely used platforms with 39% and 28% of users respectively. 49% were satisfied that the Council provides value for money, compared to 38% from the previous year. 42% agreed that the Council takes account of their views, compared to 31% from the previous year. 58% were satisfied with how we communicate, compared to 38% from the previous year. 60% were satisfied with the way we run services, compared to 39% from the previous year. 40% felt the Council were transparent in their decision making. Compared to 32% from the previous year.
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11 75.00 4.00 156.00 11.00 46.00 129.00 57.00 Text alerts Google classroom Council Website Instagram Twitter Facebook Other 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 Preference for finding out about information on council services How we are responding: Community Participation The Council continues to run a wide range of consultations where you can give us your views and help shape your area. We will take account of how you have said you get information when letting you know about these. Best Value West Dunbartonshire Capital strategy sets out the Councils capital investment strategy over the ten year period to 2031-32 Document.ashx (west-dunbarton.gov.uk) How to get involved We want the Citizens’ Panel to have as wide a mix of members as possible and are always looking for new people to join. The Panel is open to anyone aged 16+ who lives in West Dunbartonshire. If you have any family, friends or neighbours who might be interested in taking part, they can contact us at engagement@west-dunbarton.gov.uk for more information, or sign up directly. Your information All the information you provide as a Panel member is completely confidential and will be used only for Citizens’ Panel engagement purposes. End of document