Residents in South Tyneside are generally happy living in their local areas and get on well with their neighbours.
These are some of the main results of the 2008 Place Survey which found that 78% of local people are satisfied with their area - up from 73% in 2006.
The survey also found that on the whole anti-social behaviour is now seen as significantly less of a problem with only 20% of residents regarding anti-social behaviour as a serious problem in their area. This compares with 28% of people who viewed it as a problem in 2006. The highest level of concern continues to be about teenagers hanging around the streets, although the number of residents viewing this as a problem has reduced from 61% in 2006 to 47% in 2008.
Other findings from the Place Survey are:
- 84% of people over 65 are satisfied with both their home and neighbourhood.
- 77% of people agree that their local area is one where people from different backgrounds get on well together;
- 73% of people said that they had been treated with respect and consideration by local public services in the last year while 6% of residents said that they had rarely or never been treated in this way
- 70% of people reported their health as good, a figure consistent with the average for Tyne and Wear, but below the national average of 76%;
- 64% feel they belong to their immediate neighbourhood
The survey also highlights some areas for improvement such as keeping residents feel informed about what to do in the event of large scale emergencies, activities for teenagers, road and pavement repairs, clean streets and the level of crime.
Councillor Iain Malcolm, Leader of the Council, said: "I am delighted that the survey shows more residents feel South Tyneside is a great place to live. At the same time the survey has highlighted some areas where public services need to do better and the Council will be working closely with its partners to ensure that the results help shape future improvements to service delivery."
Superintendent John Chappell, from South Tyneside Area Command, said: "The results of the South Tyneside Place Survey are extremely encouraging and show that multi-agency working in the borough is really making a difference to our communities.
"The results in South Tyneside around crime and anti-socially behaviour - including people being satisfied that it is being successfully dealt with and that public services are seeking people's views on how to deal with it - not only exceed the national average but also see the borough top in Tyne and Wear.
"We will continue to work with our partners at South Tyneside Council, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and the health service to increase public satisfaction and provide quality services to the people of South Tyneside."
A shorter version of the Place Survey is to be conducted this month and questionnaires will be sent out to a random sample of 5,000 households next week.
Councillor Malcolm added: "I hope that residents will find the time to complete the latest questionnaire as the results will help us to monitor whether the actions being taken by the Council and its partners to improve quality of life in the Borough are making a difference."
More than 2,200 residents responded to the survey which was conducted by Ipsos MORI for the Council. The Place Survey is a statutory survey which all local authorities in England are required to carry out. The results will help the Council and its partners to understand how well they are doing compared with other areas across the country and to identify what they may need to do differently in the future.
For more information about the results of the Place Survey visit: www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/placesurvey2008
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