Carmarthenshire Residents Survey 2024

Why we consulted

We seek the views of residents on several key areas to understand how they feel about the Council’s performance and to inform our future planning and priority setting.

We focus on gaining an understanding of what the important issues are for individuals and their families and what matters to them most.

Consultation with our residents on performance is also a key requirement of the Local Government and Elections Act. This survey was the third in a developing conversation with residents in this respect.

Consultation Outcome

Last Summer 3,597 of you took part in a resident's survey to tell us: 

• How you feel about us as a Council and our performance, 
• What the most pressing challenges were for you and your families; and
• How you’d prioritise areas for investment. 

The information you share with us is vitally important as it helps us to get to know you better and develop an understanding of what matters most to you and your families. Our intention therefore is to run the same survey on a regular basis to monitor how your views change over time. 

It’s a challenging time for many, and the Council is not immune to these challenges. We face a period of increasing demand for our services in a time where resources (financial and otherwise) are decreasing. Our priority has always been to do the best for our residents and service users, but we must all be realistic about what that looks like in the future. Your continued engagement with us will give us the best chance of delivering services which meet your needs. 

The main findings of the survey for 2024 have been shared across the organisation with departments asked to consider these in their planning for the year ahead. An update on this will be provided in due course. In the main the findings are consistent with those deduced in 2023. The main findings were as follows; 

1. The vast majority of people like living in Carmarthenshire. This has been the highest scoring statement for the last three years.
2. Responses were mixed with regards to the degree that residents feel that the Council lets them know how it’s performing. The largest proportion of respondents selected ‘neither’. This is consistent with trends seen last year.
3. Views were mixed regarding ‘the Council provides opportunities for residents to participate in decision-making.’ There is a desire among respondents for decision-making that is more responsive, transparent and tailored to the needs of individual communities. 
4. The Council’s communication process is mainly effective in terms of allowing residents to access up to date information about our services and most agree that they find contacting the Council simple and easy. However, there are some issues with direct contact processes such as on occasions when residents utilise the main switchboard, utilise email to connect with officers or wish to speak directly with officers within individual departments. These findings are consistent with the previous year. 
5. On the whole respondents believe that the Council does not make good use of the financial resources available to us and that investment is not focussed on the right areas. 
6. The cost-of-living crisis remains a significant challenge for residents and their families. Rising costs continue to place significant pressure on Carmarthenshire’s residents. 
7. Whilst the majority of respondents agree that their general health and well-being is good, access to fit for purpose Health and Social Care services remains a real concern and challenge for residents. 
8. A lack of fit for purpose public transport options and good transportation links are a barrier for many. Potholes and general road safety were highlighted as issues. 
9. Waste services received the highest satisfaction levels with 59% of respondents expressing satisfaction. Although, comments were still received in relation to litter, fly-tipping and the general unkempt feel of some areas of the County. These comments are especially relevant to the town centres. 
10. Although the majority (46%) agree that their local environment is pleasant and well looked after, there is a relatively high proportion which disagree. 
11. Carmarthenshire has one of the lowest crime rates of all counties in Wales. A positive score to this statement substantiates this, with 67% of respondents agreeing that they feel safe in their communities. 
12. Whilst there has been a shift from overall strong agreement to agreement it remains important to residents that local people are supported to buy homes locally. This translates to overall agreement from 75% of respondents. 
13. A significant proportion of respondents indicated ‘neither’ when asked whether they feel local people are well supported to take advantage of local opportunities
14. The majority of respondents (63%) agree that it is important to promote and protect the Welsh language. However, some residents expressed opposing views with sentiments relating to the amount of resource utilised on this priority when resources are depleting. 
15. Although the score has declined slightly year on year, it is still important to residents that consideration is given to supporting people’s mental health and well-being. 
16. The largest proportion (42%) of respondents indicated ‘neither’ when asked whether the climate emergency is being addressed locally. This is a consistent trend with the previous year.
17. Except for those that answered neither or don’t know, disagreement levels were higher (33%) than agreement levels (14%) for the degree to which businesses are supported within the local area. 
18. 21% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with employment support services. 
19. Overall, there is agreement from respondents (44%) that local schools provide children and young people with a good education.