Services
News release
Quality of Life Survey 2010
The latest Quality of Life survey has shown that in the last decade the way that people perceive West Lothian as a place to live has improved.
The fifth Quality of Life Survey has revealed that 87% of the residents polled are satisfied or very satisfied with West Lothian as a place to live - the same as in 2007. In 1999 and 2001 the figure was 81%.
The Quality of Life Survey is completed by residents on the West Lothian Citizen?s Panel, which is structured to be completely representative of the West Lothian population.
This year 2,009 (around 70%) panel members completed the 2010 survey a similar response rate to the 2007 survey.
The top three factors of most importance to residents is good health (92%); feeling safe in your community (86%); and support of family or friends (72%). According to the report the most important services which influence their quality of life is access to health facilities (81%); good quality education (77%); and good quality roads.
Satisfaction with the range of public services is generally high. Most notably with regard to health services, fire and rescue, local schools, leisure facilities and refuse collection.
The report demonstrated that panel members were positive about West Lothian as a place to do business with 65% agreeing that the area feels like a successful place and 57% agreeing that West Lothian has a diverse economy.
Leader of West Lothian Council Peter Johnston commented: "We welcome this snap shot of opinion from our citizen panel members. It is great news that overall people feel that West Lothian has improved over the last decade.
*Since the last Quality of Life survey in 2007, a great deal of hard work has taken place across our communities, which impact on every citizen and I'm sure will have an impact on perception in the future.
"For example, the survey shows increases in people?s perceptions of their safety in a variety of circumstances since the 2007. During the last three years the council has worked closely with the Police and Fire and Rescue Service to improve Community Safety and address antisocial behaviour such as drug dealing. Earlier this year we introduced West Lothian Community Safety Unit and more recently a new Drugs Unit was set up."
Councillor Johnston added: "The Quality of Life Survey is another important source of information for us to consider when we are making decisions, which will impact on West Lothian over the coming years."
Ends
Background: Quality of Life Survey that the Community Planning Partnership has carried out in West Lothian over the last eleven years. Quality of Life surveys have been carried out in 1999, 2001, 2004, and 2007. The survey is targeted at members of West Lothian's Citizens Panel.
This is a group of residents that are invited to sit on the Panel for a three to six year period. The Citizens Panel is structured to be completely representative of the West Lothian population. Panel members completed the 2010 survey. This is a similar response rate to the 2007 survey.
Date: 07-11-2010
