'MONEY MATTERS' SURVEY
In November and December 2002 Gosport Borough Council distributed this survey borough wide to Council Taxpayers. The questions in this survey asked for views on future Council Tax levels (for the Gosport Borough Council portion of the Council Tax) and potential service delivery options.
Approximately 7000 surveys were returned.
The results
The questions contained in this survey, and the results, are detailed below.
Comments on this data:
1. None of the results have been weighted.
2. Percentages have been subject to rounding. This method occasionally creates a situation where the sum of the results does not equal 100%.
3. Answers of 'I don't know', or unanswered questions are not counted a valid response.
HAVE YOUR SAY – 'MONEY MATTERS' SURVEY
Each year the Government allocates Gosport Borough Council a sum of money which covers about two-thirds of our costs with the remaining expenditure being raised through Council Tax.
From the average annual Council Tax Bill, Gosport Borough Council receives £149.00, Hampshire County Council receives £734.67 and the Police Authority receives £75.15.
Next year (2003/2004), Gosport Borough Council's existing expenditure commitments for services and community priorities will cost an extra £500,000. This includes additional expenditure on coastal protection schemes, the local plan inquiry, a housing condition survey and inflation.
In past years, the Council's cash balances and reserves have been used to help fund such increases but these are now at low levels so this is no longer possible. The Council will need to consider all the options before finalising budget plans, so your views are sought and will be considered before the final decision is made.
Please note that the following options are dependent on the level of grant from the Government.
Question 1: "which of these options would you prefer Gosport Borough Council to choose in respect of its portion of the Council Tax?
The following responses were received:
|
A nil increase, which will mean substantial service cuts and increased charges for services |
11% |
|
An increase in-line with (up to 3%), which could mean significant service cuts and/or increased charges for services |
32% |
|
An increase of 5%, which could mean some service cuts and/or increased charges for some services |
17% |
|
An increase of 8% which would maintain existing services |
19% |
|
An increase of 10% or more to allow service improvements |
10% |
|
I don't know |
11% |
|
Total surveys returned |
6842 |
Question 2: How much do you agree or disagree with Gosport Borough Council:
The following responses were received:
|
|
Agree & Agree Strongly |
Neither Agree nor Disagree |
Disagree & Strongly Disagree |
No. of responses |
|
Introducing a fortnightly recycling and refuse collection |
28.1% |
7.2% |
64.7% |
6925 |
|
Providing more youth facilities in Gosport |
54.4% |
28.8% |
16.9% |
6892 |
|
Replacing travel tokens for the elderly with bus passes (which allow half price travel) |
34.5% |
15.7% |
49.8% |
6967 |
|
Improving the town centre and waterfront |
33.0% |
29.6% |
37.4% |
6891 |
|
Continuing to fund town centre Christmas lights |
43.8% |
25.7% |
30.6% |
6914 |
|
Increasing the number of CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras |
71.2% |
16.4% |
12.4% |
6956 |
|
Improving the facilities at Holbrook Recreation Centre |
37.2% |
39.1% |
23.8% |
6894 |
|
Introducing charging for town centre car parks |
38.2% |
7.6% |
54.1% |
6930 |
|
Employing traffic wardens to generate additional income |
42.7% |
18.9% |
38.5% |
6912 |
|
Increasing the Council Tax to fund some of these improvements |
28% |
18.9% |
53.1% |
6836 |
|
|
