The Performance Plan 2006

With Cambridgeshire County Council and other authorities in the Cambridgeshire Consultation Partnership, a survey has been undertaken to obtain data on residents’ quality of life (using PIs recommended by the Audit Commission) and to track changes since the last survey in 2003. Key findings were: -

• 83% were satisfied with their neighbourhood as a place to live, compared with 90% in 2003 and 80% for Cambridgeshire as a whole.
• Respondents were most satisfied with schools, level of social and health facilities and the natural environment. Respondents were least satisfied with affordability of housing, public transport and opportunities to participate in decision-making.
• 53% replied that there had not been much change in their neighbourhood in the last 2 years; 5% thought things had got better; and 27% (a smaller percentage than in 2003) thought things had got worse. The main reasons given for matters being worse were: traffic congestion, crime/vandalism, litter/rubbish, too much housing development, inconsiderate and unsafe parking and noise.
• Road traffic was regarded as the biggest noise problem.
• Respondents showed a high level of involvement in voluntary work, but had concerns about their ability to influence decisions.
• On community safety, there was an increase in the percentage of people feeling unsafe outside of their local area at night but a fall in the number of people feeling at risk to certain types of crime or anti-social behaviour.

Overall the survey showed a positive view about life in South Cambridgeshire compared with other districts.

The Quality of Life survey is the first stage in a consultation and research strategy to underpin the revision of the Community Strategy. Other elements will involve a postal questionnaire to seek views about priorities and practical measures to address them; workshops and surveys with stakeholders such as parish councils.