Residents', business and pupil surveys
This page provides the results of recent major borough-wide surveys with residents.
We are 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. The information we gather through surveys will be used to monitor our performance and help shape the services we deliver.
We also conduct focus group discussions throughout the year with residents to help us understand results. We administer the Place Survey, a postal survey which gathers 18 national indicators, on behalf of Lambeth First, the local strategic partnership. We also conduct an annual survey of pupils.
Face-to-face residents' surveys
From October 2009 we embarked on a ground-breaking new approach to surveying residents. To demonstrate our commitment to really understanding what local people think we are surveying around 3,500 Lambeth residents each year, including 500 young people. Surveys will take place quarterly in October, January, April and July, (with 750 adults and 125 young people surveyed each quarter).
Prior to this we conducted surveys with a representative sample of 1,000 Lambeth residents and in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009. In addition, we interviewed 250 secondary school age residents (aged 11 to 17) in 2005, 2007 and 2009. All residents were interviewed face-to-face, in their own homes and asked for their views on living in Lambeth and of local services.
See the residents' survey results.
Postal surveys required by central government
We have less confidence in the quality of data from postal surveys, as by their nature respondents are self-selecting. However, central government requires us to conduct these surveys to measure national indicators. Full reports are available below.
The Place Survey will next be conducted in autumn/winter 2010.
Business surveys
We conducted telephone surveys with over 300 Lambeth businesses in 2007/08 and 2009. The 2009 survey looked at Lambeth as a business location, the impact of the recession in Lambeth, skills and training and business support.
Pupil surveys
Each year we undertake a census of Lambeth school students. In 2008, 30,463 pupils took part. The information recorded includes:
- free meals eligibility
- home borough
- ethnic background
- additional languages to English spoken at home
- fluency in English
- stage and prime area of special educational need
- date of admission to school
- date of birth
- in care details
- curriculum year.
See the Pupil Survey results.
Focus groups
We conducted focus groups to better understand residents' concerns and their views on quality of life in Lambeth. The groups also explore key issues impacting on residents' perceptions of the council, its services and other public services in Lambeth.
See the focus group findings.