Beacon Research has been commissioned by Catterall Parish Council to undertake a Village Appraisal Survey as part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to consulting with local residents in order to update the Parish Plan.

This document refers to this survey undertaken during January 2011.

The following document contains the report, based upon the findings and analysis of the survey. A full set of survey tabulations is supplied separately.

2. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The broad objective of this study is to examine the levels of satisfaction, amongst local residents, with the quality of life in Catterall and how services may be improved by the Parish Council and other statutory bodies.

At the same time, the survey is also used to collect basic demographic and social profiles of the local population.

The Council decided upon a postal survey as the most appropriate and economical method of approaching residents. In order to minimise costs these questionnaires were hand delivered to every household in the Parish.

The objectives, questionnaire content, method and style of the survey were all undertaken in consultation with the Council and residents who attended several public meetings.

The Council decided to undertake a self completion postal survey of all residents, based upon a sample of 900 households. At the same time, a questionnaire and covering letter were agreed and printed.

The questionnaire and covering letter were collated, packed and hand delivered during the week commencing January 10^th 2011.

The details of the responses

Initial mailing 900

Completed Questionnaires 345 (38.3%)

The present response rate, at 38.3% is very good for a survey of this type. We say this as no reminders were used, which is the general practice for survey work, but which of course adds to cost.

The profile of respondents, who actually responded to the survey, shows that a little over a half of all respondents (55%) were aged 55 or more, whilst less than 12% were aged 34 or less. This may be a typical residential profile, but we suspect that older claimants were most likely to respond to the survey.

Significantly more females (60.6%) than males (39.4%) replied to the survey. A little less than a quarter of all respondents (22.6%) considered themselves to have any long standing illness, disability or infirmity. Exactly 57% of all respondents work either full or part time and 35.1% are retired.

Of those residents who responded to the survey, the average household size is 2.61. Almost three quarters of households (73%) do not have any children

The key findings from this survey may be summarised as follows:-

4.2 A little less than a quarter (22.6%) of respondents claim to have a long term illness or disability. 57% of all respondents work either full or part time and 35.1% are retired.

4.3 Only 6% of the sample were born in Catterall but over half (54.5%) have lived in Catterall for eleven years or more and half (49.5%) have lived in their present house for the same period.

The main reason for choosing Catterall as a place to live is the draw of village life in the countryside and the most popular reason for moving to Catterall from another area is the attractiveness of the area and its surroundings.

4.4 A low level of crime, access to the countryside, shopping facilities, good public transport, access to health services, affordable decent housing, clean streets and education provision are all given as the key factors in making somewhere a good place to live. However, shopping facilities, road and pavement repairs and facilities for teenagers are all issues which need addressing in Catterall.

4.5 Overall, over 90% of residents are satisfied with Catterall as a place to live; over half however think that the quality of life has remained the same as five years ago. Less than 9% think it has improved and almost a fifth think it has got worse.

4.6 In terms of anti-social behaviour, dog fouling, speeding cars and motorcycles and teenagers hanging about the streets are seen as the major problems in Catterall. More and better policing and traffic calming measures would help to alleviate these problems. Nevertheless, 72% of residents feel safe outside in Catterall after dark.

4.7 Almost half of all respondents feel that there has been too much new housing built in Catterall over the past ten years and almost three quarters feel that Catterall cannot sustain any more in the future. There is however a need for low cost housing to buy or rent and more homes for the elderly and / or the disabled.

4.8 Over three quarters of respondents experience no difficulty in getting to various different health services; however, many respondents would welcome some form of health provision in Catterall - a visiting doctor’s surgery or health centre.

4.9 When asked to rate local emergency services, both the emergency ambulance service and the fire service were rated highly and the ratings for the local police service have improved significantly since 2004. There is also a significant improvement in the local police coverage since 2004.

4.10 In terms of anti-social behaviour, Catterall residents are most concerned with the problems of drunkenness / underage drinking and vandalism / damage to property. Almost 40% of respondents feel the level of crime and anti-social behaviour is the same now as it was 5 years ago.

Almost a third of respondents felt that the installation of CCTV cameras at the Village Hall and on Cock Robin Lane had helped to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in Catterall.

4.11 More trees, more local employment and energy saving schemes should be introduced to help improve the environment.

4.12 Nearly half of all respondents feel that a greater use of the lengthsman / litter warden would help to keep Catterall cleaner, tidier and free from litter

4.13 Over 90% of respondents have daytime access to a vehicle and therefore do not generally experience transport difficulties getting out of Catterall. The main uses for the car are shopping, leisure and social purposes and travel to work.

Almost 34% of all residents who work travel more than ten miles to their place of work. Similarly, almost half of residents never use public transport. Of those who do use public transport, cost is seen as the biggest issue.

4.14 Speeding traffic is regarded as a problem by over half of respondents and an enforcement of the speed limit in Catterall would definitely be welcomed.

Two thirds of respondents felt that the recent introduction of Speed Prevention Indicator Devices (SPID) around the parish had helped to reduce the problem of speeding traffic in Catterall.

4.15 Shopping facilities or lack of them are regarded as poor, yet the majority of respondents experience no difficulty in getting to shops, due to the high rate of access to a vehicle. Residents highlight the need for a post office, a general store / grocers, a chemist and a banking facility in the area.

4.16 Over half of all respondents have never used the Village Hall and 40% of those who do use it, use it less than once a month. Almost 44% of respondents feel it should be used for more activities than it is currently. The most popular choice for additional activities at the hall would be an exercise class (Aerobics / yoga). A general refurbishment or redecoration would help to make the hall more appealing to potential users.

4.17 Only a fifth of all respondents say that a member of their household uses the Multi-use Games Area installed by the Parish Council on the Village Playing Fields. However almost 59% rate it as good or reasonable in terms of benefit to the local community.

4.18 Local social facilities are rated as poor across all age ranges, and particularly so for the 17-25 age group.

4.19 The local paper or the Parish Newsletter and the Catterall Crier provide the main sources of information regarding local events and two thirds of respondents feel that the amount of local information they receive is good. 90% of all respondents think that the Parish Newsletter and Catterall Crier are a good idea.

4.20 Less than a fifth of all respondents have ever attended a Parish Council meeting. Just over half of respondents feel that the local Parish Council publicises its decisions well. However over half of residents think that the services provided by the Parish Council are good and only 2% describe them as very poor.

4.21 Respondents would like to see the Parish Council take over grass cutting, community policing and litter collection services in the future.

4.22Residents are not particularly familiar with the way the Parish Precept is spent and less than a quarter would support a higher local Council Tax to meet the needs of Catterall.

4.23 Almost a third of respondents feel their elected representatives in local government are sufficiently aware of local concerns and feelings.

4.24 The most notable further comments relate to the enjoyment of village life in Catterall, the value of the lengthsman to the community, the lack of a post office / village shop, dog fouling and speeding traffic on the parish’s roads.

4.25 The average household size is 2.61. Almost two thirds (57%) of residents are in full or part-time employment.

In the following section of the report, we provide a more detailed analysis of the survey findings, together with extracts from the tabulations.

Residents were asked a series of questions regarding Catterall as a choice of residence and why they came to live there.

Over half (54.5%) of respondents have lived in Catterall for eleven years or more and almost half (49.5%) claim to have lived in their present house for the same period.

When asked for their main reason for choosing Catterall as a place to live almost 23% of respondents answered that they liked village life / living in the country, whilst 13% came here when they got married, a further 11% came for work reasons and 10% to retire in the area. Only 6% were born in Catterall.

Similarly, when asked about the reasons for moving to Catterall from another area, almost a quarter of respondents who had moved to Catterall had done so because of the attractiveness of the area, whilst 12% had moved with their job. 14% had a family connection with the area and 11% had moved back to the area to retire.

In this section, Catterall residents were asked to decide which things were most important to them in making somewhere a good place to live and which most needed improving in Catterall. The results are summarised below.

When asked what makes somewhere a good place to live, a low level of crime (72.5%), access to the countryside (64.9%), shopping facilities (43.5%), good public transport (38.6%), affordable decent housing (38.0%), access to health services (37.1%), clean streets (32.5%) and education provision (27.8%) are all given as the key issues. Job prospects, sport and leisure facilities and access to cultural activities are significantly less important.

In terms of the issues which most need improving, however, shopping facilities (61.2%), road and pavement repairs (39.1%) and facilities for teenagers (31.6%) were most often mentioned. Education provision, access for the disabled and access to the countryside are the items which are least in need of improvement. Somewhat surprisingly, only 8.1% of residents mentioned low level of crime as being most in need of improvement.

Overall, over 90% of residents are satisfied with Catterall as a place to live, whilst only 3.5% are dissatisfied.

Whilst over half (55.1%) of respondents feel that the quality of life in Catterall has remained the same as five years ago, less than a fifth (16.8%) think that it has worsened and less than 9% say it is getting better. At best, therefore, it is standing still. These results are very similar to 2004, as can be seen in the table below.

Residents were asked to consider a number of different anti-social activities and to rate how much of a problem each represented to their life in Catterall. The results are summarised in the following table.

Dog fouling is seen as the biggest anti-social problem in Catterall with well over half of all respondents (54.8%) stating that it is a very big / fairly big problem. Speeding cars and motorcycles are seen as problematic by 35.4% of respondents; teenagers hanging around the streets by a fifth of respondents (20%); and litter and rubbish lying around by 17.1% of respondents. Problems with neighbours, graffiti and noise from people are not perceived to be major issues.

Almost three quarters (72.2%) of respondents feel safe outside in Catterall after dark; however it must not go unnoticed that 5% say that they feel unsafe.

When asked what should be done to make Catterall a safer place to live, the majority elected for more and better policing followed by traffic calming measures and speed limits. It is however of note that almost 26% of respondents felt that nothing was required and that Catterall is fine as it is.

Where respondents had stated that either better street lighting, more CCTV cameras, speed limits or traffic calming / speed bumps were necessary, they were asked to say where they should be improved. These comments have been listed verbatim and included as an appendix to this report. The main answers, however, refer to Catterall Gates Lane, Cock Robin Lane and Garstang Road.

Residents were asked for their opinion regarding the number of houses that have been built in Catterall over the past 10 years. Almost half (46.4%) of all respondents said that there is too much new housing and just under a third (31.9%) felt that the level is about right. Less than a fifth of respondents felt that the level was about right in 2004.

Almost three quarters (72.8%) of respondents felt that Catterall cannot accommodate any more new housing in the future. This is very similar to 2004 when 71.6% of respondents felt that no further new housing could be accommodated in Catterall, although more has been built since last time. .

However when asked if they felt there was a need for a particular type of housing, almost 58% stated that no more homes were needed in Catterall. Nearly a quarter (24.6%) said that there was a need for low cost housing to buy or rent and a little over 17% felt the need for more homes for the elderly and / or the disabled.

When asked if they had difficulty getting to a number of different health services, well over three quarters of respondents felt that there was no difficulty getting to any of the different health services or chose not to answer the question. Almost 11% felt they had difficulties getting to the doctor or health centre and 9% felt there was a problem getting to the dentist.

When asked if they perceived a need for any health services to be available in Catterall; the biggest demand was for a visiting doctor’s surgery (22.9% compared with 34.9% in 2004) or a health centre (17.7% compared with 36.1% in 2004). However almost two thirds of respondents felt that none were needed or chose not to reply to this question.

Residents were asked to rate the provision of emergency services in Catterall. The emergency ambulance service and the fire service are rated well by over three quarters of all respondents (78.1% and 78.2% respectively). In 2004 the figures for the emergency ambulance service and the fire service were 68.1% and 69.4% respectively.

(Table excludes don’t knows)

There are significant improvements in the ratings for the local police service (43.4% rating it as very good or good) since 2004 when less than 26% rated it as good or very good; the emergency police service (57.9% in 2011, 37.8% in 2004); and the ambulance transport service (64.5% in 2011, 41.3% in 2004).

With reference to the local police coverage in Catterall, almost a third of respondents (32%) rated it as very or fairly poor. This is, however, an improvement from 2004 when 52% rated it as poor.

(Table excludes don’t knows)

As in 2004, Catterall residents are most concerned with the problems of drunkenness / underage drinking and vandalism / damage to property and least concerned with theft in the street and mugging. There appears to have been a marked improvement in both burglary and car theft since 2004.

Compared to five years ago, almost 40% of respondents felt the level of crime and anti-social behaviour was the same as it was 5 years ago; 10% felt it had gone up and slightly more than 16% felt it had gone down. However over a third of respondents either did not know or did not respond to the question.

Regarding the installation of CCTV cameras at the Village Hall and on Cock Robin Lane, almost a third of residents felt that this had reduced crime and anti-social behaviour in Catterall and 7% felt that it had not. However, almost two thirds of respondents either did not know or did not reply to the question.

Over a third of all respondents felt that more trees should be planted to protect and improve the environment in Catterall. More local employment (30.4%) and energy saving schemes (21.7%) were also popular among local residents.

Almost half of all respondents (46.7%) felt that more use of the lengthsman / litter warden would help to keep Catterall cleaner, tidier and free from litter, although many respondents took the opportunity to praise the already sterling efforts of the lengthsman by adding their own handwritten comments to this question.

An annual Spring Clean Day and entering a Best Kept Village competition were also popular suggestions. These results were similar to those attained in 2004.

Over two thirds (71%) of respondents said they never experience any transport difficulties getting out of Catterall to other places and a little less than a quarter (24.3%) occasionally do.

Over 90% of respondents have daytime access to a vehicle (87% in 2004).

As in 2004, shopping, leisure and social journeys and travel to work are the main uses for the car.

Amongst those residents who work, almost 20% either work from home or travel less than five miles. At the other end of the scale, almost 34% travel more than ten miles to work. However, over a third of respondents either do not work, are retired or unemployed. In 2004 approximately 23% worked from home or travelled less than 2 miles to work and 48% travelled more than ten miles.

Respondents were asked how frequently they used certain public transport services. Even amongst users of public transport services, the frequency of use is comparatively low.

Over half of all bus users and the majority of train users, use the service less than once a month. Almost 85% of all respondents have never used the coach.

When asked to indicate their main method of transport, over 88% of respondents opted for car. Only 26 respondents said the bus and four respondents the community bus.

In the main the local bus service is rated as good rather than poor. However, in terms of cost / value for money, 46.1% rate the service as poor with almost 26% rating it as very poor. These ratings are similar to those given in 2004. Access for those with a disability has improved from over 50% in 2004 rating it as poor to 27.8% in 2011.

(Table excludes don’t knows)

Respondents were asked for any improvements they would like to see to the bus service. Over half of respondents either had no opinion to give or chose not to answer this question. Over a quarter of respondents (29.3%) would like to see an improvement to the cost of the local bus service, 18.8% would like a more frequent service and 16.8% said they would like the service to be more reliable / run on time. Similarly in 2004, cost was seen as the biggest problem, with frequency of service a close second.

Residents were asked whether they thought speeding traffic was a problem in Catterall. Over half of all respondents felt that it was.

There has been a slight improvement since 2004 when almost 60% of respondents perceived it to be a problem.

Enforcement of the speed limit in Catterall would be welcomed by well over half of all respondents. Traffic calming, Children at Play signs, more road warning signs and better road markings would be supported by over a quarter of all respondents and in the case of the former by over a third.

Following the recent introduction by the Parish Council of Speed Indicator Devices (SpID) around the parish, respondents were asked whether they felt their introduction had helped to reduce the problem of speeding traffic in Catterall. Almost two thirds of respondents felt that it had.

When asked to rate the shopping facilities in Catterall, 15 respondents took the opportunity to state that shopping facilities are non existent in Catterall since the closure of the post office last year. Over 85% of respondents described them as poor and only 2% as good. In 2004 they were described as poor by almost three quarters of respondents and good by 4%.

Over 87% of respondents experience no transport difficulties in getting to the shops in the various locations outlined in the table below. This, in the main, is due to the high level of access to a car, mentioned earlier in the report.

Not surprisingly, since the closure of the post office in Catterall, 85% of respondents felt there is a need for a post office and almost three quarters opted for a grocers or general food store. A pharmacy or chemist was requested by over a quarter of respondents and banking facilities by over a fifth.

Respondents were asked a series of questions relating to their social activities and the facilities for entertainment in Catterall.

Over half of all respondents have never used the Village Hall and almost 40% have used it less than once a month. Only 4 people use it most days.

Almost 44% of respondents felt that Catterall Village Hall should be used for more activities than it is currently, although 53% did not know or did not reply to the question.

The most popular choice of club / activity that respondents would be prepared to attend would be an exercise class (aerobics / yoga) . Creative arts for children, a Senior Citizen group and a gardening club would also be welcome by almost a fifth of respondents. The figures are very similar to those achieved in 2004.

When asked what the Parish Council needed to do to make the Village Hall more appealing, almost 43% of all respondents said they didn’t know or they didn’t use the existing facility. Almost a fifth felt it was fine the way it was. However a little over a fifth felt a general refurbishment or redecoration would help. Significant numbers of respondents opted for better or new kitchen facilities and better or improved heating.

With reference to leisure time activities for young people, with the exception of an After School Club (17.7%) and the Summer Play Scheme (29%), all suggestions had the support of more than 30% of respondents.

Again, figures are similar to those attained in 2004.

Only a fifth of all respondents said that a member of their household use the Multi-use Games Area installed by the Parish Council on the Village Playing Fields and almost three quarters do not.

Almost 59% of all respondents rated the Multi-use Games Area as good or reasonable in terms of benefit to the local community. Less than 3% rated it as poor. However, almost 39% did not know or did not answer the question.

In all cases, for well over 50% of all respondents, and in the case of the 17 – 25 age group, for well over three quarters of respondents, local social facilities in Catterall are regarded as poor or very poor. However a fifth of respondents feel that the facilities for children up to the age of 16 are fairly good.

(Table excludes don’t knows)

Similarly, in 2004 facilities in Catterall for all ages were generally regarded as poor, rather than good.

This section relates to the way information pertinent to Catterall reaches its residents.

Over two thirds of respondents usually get information about events taking place in Catterall from a local paper (Courier / Focus), the Parish Newsletter or the Catterall Crier.

Two thirds of respondents feel that the amount of information that is available about what is going on is good or reasonable; almost a fifth however think that it is poor (27.8% in 2004).

90% of all respondents feel that the Parish Newsletter and Catterall Crier are a good idea. This figure has risen considerably since 2004 when a little less than three quarters of respondents (73%) felt it was good idea.

This section deals with issues relating directly to the Parish Council and the services it provides.

Less than a fifth of all respondents (18.6%) have ever attended a Parish Council meeting. In 2004 less than a quarter of respondents had attended such a meeting.

Of those respondents who said they have attended a meeting of Catterall Parish Council, almost three quarters have not attended within the last year. In 2004 63% said they had not attended such a meeting for more than a year.

A little more than half of respondents felt that the local Parish Council publicises its decisions either very or reasonably well (31% in 2004).

A little over 92% of respondents feel that the services provided by the Parish Council are at least average (76.4% in 2004) and over 16% think that they are very good. Only 2% think that they are very poor.

(Table excludes don’t knows)

Respondents were offered a range of services currently provided by Borough or County Council, and asked if they would prefer them to be taken over by the Parish Council at some time in the future. As in 2004, grass cutting, litter collection and community policing are the three most popular choices for the Parish Council to undertake responsibility for in the future.

Refuse collection is the least popular. This, however, may reflect the current levels of satisfaction with the existing service.

Almost half of respondents (46.2%) claim not to know how the precept is spent and are therefore unable to express satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the current level and the way the money is spent. Of those who offered an opinion, over 47% are at least quite satisfied with the current level and how it is spent.

Less than a quarter of residents would be prepared to pay a slightly higher council tax to meet some of the needs of Catterall (17% in 2004) and almost 59% would not. Almost a fifth remain undecided or chose not to answer the question.

Almost a third of respondents feel their elected representatives in local government are sufficiently aware of local concerns and feelings. However, almost 46% do not know or chose not to answer the question

Respondents were invited to give any further comments about Catterall and the area in which they live. Two thirds of respondents chose not to elaborate any further (66%).

Of those who replied, the most notable comments relate to the enjoyment of village life in Catterall, the value of the lengthsman to the community, the lack of a post office / village shop, the problem of dog fouling and speeding traffic on the parish’s roads.

The comments have been written verbatim and supplied as an appendix to this report.

Personal details relating to the respondent and their household were collected in this section.

Exactly 55% of respondents are aged 55 and above and only 12% are aged 34 and below.

Almost two thirds of respondents are female.

Exactly 57% of respondents are employed in either a full or a part-time job or are self employed either full or part-time. A little over a third are retired and less than 1% are unemployed.

Less than a quarter of all respondents said they had a long standing illness, disability or infirmity

Almost three quarters of respondents have access to the internet at home and a further 3% have access at work.