25/7/2006 - The Big Cumbrian Survey

A major new survey which will help build a picture of life in Cumbria is being sent to 15,000 households around the county this week.

The Big Cumbrian Survey is being carried out by the independent research and polling organisation Ipsos MORI on behalf of Cumbria County Council and its partner organisations including the district councils, police and primary care trusts.

Cumbrian residents are asked whether they're happy living here and to rate what's most important to them in making somewhere a good place to live - from clean streets to public amenities. They are also asked how much influence they feel they have over local decision making and whether they contribute to charities or volunteer organisations.

The survey also covers crime and safety in the community, asking whether people feel safe walking to and from their homes and what they perceive as the main problems in their area - from noisy neighbours to drug problems.

Views on dog fouling, litter, graffiti and air pollution are also being garnered, as well as details on how people travel in the county. The survey is also designed to find out how often people use their local services such as libraries, parks, public toilets and social services, as well as doctors and dentists.

All the randomly-selected Cumbrian residents receiving the survey are reassured that their answers are strictly confidential and will only be used for the purposes of this research. Some of the questions cover smoking habits, diet, exercise levels and other health-related issues.

The survey will also help to build a better picture of the county's social mix in terms of ethnic and sexual origins. The findings from the survey will be published on Cumbria County Council's website later this year.

"This major research project will help us to improve the quality of life for everybody in Cumbria. It's being distributed right across the county, from west to east and north to south, so we'll be able to compare the responses geographically," said Councillor Elizabeth Mallinson, cabinet member for customer contact.

Pockets of communities in Workington, Whitehaven and Barrow will receive particularly intensive mailshots so that a fuller picture of those areas can be built and improvement initiatives can be carefully mapped. A total of 2,900 surveys will be sent to the Central and Hindpool wards of Barrow; the same number will also be sent to the wards of Sandwith, Mirehouse, Kells and Hensingham in Whitehaven; and a further 2,900 will be sent to Moss Bay and Moorclose in Workington.

"It will help build a clearer picture of some of the more disadvantaged communities in the county and allow us to set targets for the future to improve the quality of life in these areas," said Councillor Mallinson.

Notes for Editors

A PDF document of a sample survey is attached.

Completed and returned questionnaires will be entered into a prize draw, with the winner receiving £100 worth of shopping vouchers.

Media enquiries to Gareth Cosslett, News Manager on 01228 606332

View the survey