Residents surveys
The council is committed to undertaking a programme of quantitative and qualitative research to both measure and explore residents' opinions on a range of issues in relation to their local area, local services and the council.
Every two years we undertake a survey of Lambeth residents. In the year in between, we undertake focus group discussions with residents to help us to understand the results.
Recent residents surveys
2007/ 08 Survey of Lambeth residents
This is the third biennial survey undertaken by independent market research company TNS on behalf of the council. A representative sample of around 1,000 Lambeth residents were interviewed face-to-face and asked for their views on living in Lambeth and of local services.
The survey asked for residents' opinions on: issues of concern; image of the council; perceptions of local services; satisfaction with the council; satisfaction with the local area; community cohesion; participation in decision-making; community safety and anti-social behaviour; Lambeth Life; use of the internet; volunteering; and health and wellbeing. These results will help the council and its partners to make sure that their priorities reflect those of local residents.
The survey also collected the views of younger residents of secondary school age (11 to 17). Around 250 additional interviews were carried out with young people. The questions asked were the same as some of those asked to adults, and cover young people's concerns, their image of the council and perception of council services.
2006 Best Value user satisfaction survey
This postal survey of a randomly selected sample of Lambeth residents was undertaken by the research company Ipsos MORI and assessed satisfaction with a range of council services. The results were used to form Best Value Performance Indicators that allow residents to see how Lambeth Council is doing compared to other local authorities. All local authorities are required to undertake this survey every three years to provide data for these satisfaction performance indicators.
2005 Survey of Lambeth residents
This is the second biennial survey, undertaken by independent market research company TNS on behalf of the council, as part of the programme of research to help the council to understand our residents' views. A representative sample of around 1,000 residents of Lambeth were interviewed face to face.
The survey asked for residents opinions on: issues of concern; image of the council; perceptions of local services; satisfaction with the council; contacting the council and complaints handling; community cohesion; community safety; Lambeth Life; use of the internet; consultation and use of advice agencies.
In 2005, for the first time, the survey was expanded to hear the views of younger residents of secondary school age (11 to 17). Around 250 additional interviews were carried out with young people. The questions asked were the same as some of those asked to adults, and cover young people's concerns, their image of the council and perception of council services.
The full report on the results of the 2005/06 survey of Lambeth Residents is available includes findings from the young person's part of the survey. The report includes comparisons with a London-wide survey conducted for the Association of London Government (ALG) and, the 2003/04 Lambeth survey of citizens.
Recent qualitative research
2007 Focus groups with under heard groups
A series of group discussions and paired depth interviews were undertaken with a range of local residents by the research agency OPM. The research built on the results of past survey research but also focused on a number of groups and themes that were under researched in Lambeth. The aim of this research was to ascertain the views of particular groups of residents to inform the Sustainable Community Strategy being developed by Lambeth First, the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP).
Previous residents surveys and focus groups
2004/05 Understanding our residents - focus group discussions
A series of eight focus group discussions were undertaken with a range of local residents to explore their views of Lambeth Council and the services it provides. The research builds on the results of the 2003 borough-wide survey of residents and will help the council to better understand our residents.
The focus groups explored perceptions of the council overall and its separate services. The topics discussed include: awareness of the services provided by the council, image and reputation of the council, communications, local service centres, council tax, consultation, and perceptions of various services provided by the Environment, Housing, Education and Social Services departments. An executive summary of the findings of this research is available.
2003/04 Survey of Lambeth Residents
A representative sample of residents of Lambeth were interviewed face-to-face and asked for their views on living in Lambeth and of Lambeth Council.
The survey asked for residents opinions on: issues of concern; image of the council; perceptions of local services; importance of services; contact and satisfaction with the council; community cohesion; sources of information; Lambeth Life; and use of the internet. These results will help the council to ensure that our priorities reflect those of local residents.
A report on the results of the 2003/04 survey of Lambeth Residents is available. This includes comparisons with a London-wide survey conducted for the Association of London Government (ALG) and, where possible, the 1999 Lambeth survey of citizens.