BMG Panel No: «Panel_No»Pro: 7960

Citizens’ Panel Survey

Welcome to the first Stockport Citizens’ Panel Survey of 2010. In this survey, we are covering a wide range of interesting and important subjects, including: your town centre, local culture and tourism, your community, obtaining advice and information, health issues, waste disposal, emergency planning, climate change, the internet and social media.

Why are we asking the Citizens’ Panel?

We greatly value the views of our Panel members and although everyone who lives or works in Stockport may send in their ideas, we wanted to ask you personally for yours.
We’d be really grateful if you would please complete the questionnaire and return it in the prepaid envelope provided, on or before Monday, 29th March, 2010.
Your responses are confidential – only BMG will see your completed questionnaire. If you have any queries on any aspect of the survey, please contact Emma Parry, Account Manager at BMG on 0121 333 6006, or Lisa Wright at Stockport Council on 0161 474 3040.

When completing the questionnaire, we’d be grateful if you could read the instructions for answering each question carefully and please check that you have answered all the questions that apply to you.

Please use black or blue ink and mark your answer with a cross (X) in the box. If you make a mistake, please ‘colour-in’ the box which you have incorrectly marked.

Please only use free text when requested and when you do, please write clearly (preferably ‘print’) and do not write outside the boxes provided.

Firstly…

Town Centre, Culture and Tourism

Q1How often do you shop in Stockport Town Centre? Please one box only

More than once a week /  / Less than once a month / 
Once a week /  / Never / 
Once a month / 

BMG ID

BARCODE

Q2 Which day of the week would be best for all shops to stay open late? Please  one box only

Monday /  / Friday / 
Tuesday /  / Saturday / 
Wednesday /  / Sunday / 
Thursday
/  / Don’t know/no preference / 

Q3If all shops in Stockport Town Centre had the same opening hours in the evening would this encourage you to shop or shop more in the town centre? Please one box only

Yes /  / No /  / Don’t know / 

Q4If all shops in Stockport Town Centre were open late in the evening on the same day of the week would this encourage you to shop in the town centre? Please one box only

Yes /  / No /  / Don’t know / 

Q5Did you know that the Council supported Stockport’s festivities over the Christmas period in the town centre and the larger local shopping centres? Please one box only for each

Yes, I knew / No, I did not know / I wasn’t sure
Town centre /  /  / 
Larger local shopping centres /  /  / 

Q6Did you visit StockportTown centre and/or your larger local shopping centre over the Christmas period? Please one box only for each

Yes, visited / No, did not visit / Can’t recall
Town centre /  /  / 
Larger local shopping centres /  /  / 

IF YOU VISITED THE TOWN CENTRE AND/OR LARGER LOCAL SHOPPING CENTRES OVER THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD PLEASE ANSWER Q7. IF YOU DID NOT PLEASE GO TO Q8

Q7How satisfied were you with the following…? Please one box on each row to indicate your response.

Very satisfied / Fairly satisfied / Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied / Fairly dissatisfied / Very dissatisfied / Don’t know/Not able to answer
Stockport town centre Christmas lights /  /  /  /  /  / 
My larger local shopping centre Christmas lights /  /  /  /  /  / 
Christmas events in Stockport town centre /  /  /  /  /  / 
Christmas events in my larger local shopping centre
/  /  /  /  /  / 
The overall appearance of Stockport town centre /  /  /  /  /  / 
The overall appearance of my larger local shopping centre
/  /  /  /  /  / 

Q8How far do you agree or disagree with the following statements?Please one box on each row to indicate your response.

Agree strongly / Agree slightly / Neither agree nor disagree / Disagree slightly / Disagree strongly / Don’t know/Not able to answer
The town centre has improved in appearance over the last twelve months /  /  /  /  /  / 
My larger local shopping centre has improved in appearance over the last twelve months /  /  /  /  /  / 

Q9Stockport runs eight registered museums and galleries, more than any other authority in the North West. Which of them have you heard of, been interested in visiting or visited? Please one box on each row to indicate your response.

Not heard of / Heard of but no interest in visiting / Heard of and am interested in visiting / Visited
Air Raid Shelters /  /  /  / 
Art Gallery /  /  /  / 
Bramhall Hall /  /  /  / 
Chadkirk Chapel
/  /  /  / 
Hat Works /  /  /  / 
Staircase House
/  /  /  / 
Stockport Story /  /  /  / 
VernonPark /  /  /  / 

Q10How likely are you to do any of the following? Please one box on each row to indicate your response.

Very likely / Quite likely, but only if I see something that interests me / Neither likely nor unlikely / Unlikely
Visit any of Stockport’s museums or StockportArtGallery /  /  /  / 
Take part in events held in Stockport Town Centre /  /  /  / 
Take part in events held in Stockport’s District Centres /  /  /  / 

Community

Q11How far do you agree or disagree with the following statements: Living in Stockport is enjoyable because of….?Please one box on each row to indicate your response.

Agree strongly / Agree slightly / Neither agree nor disagree / Disagree slightly / Disagree strongly
Access to nature /  /  /  /  / 
Activities for teenagers /  /  /  /  / 
Affordable decent housing /  /  /  /  / 
Clean streets
/  /  /  /  / 
Community activities /  /  /  /  / 
Cultural activities (i.e. libraries, museums)
/  /  /  /  / 
Education provision /  /  /  /  / 
Facilities for young children /  /  /  /  / 
Health services /  /  /  /  / 
Job prospects /  /  /  /  / 
The level of crime /  /  /  /  / 
The level of pollution /  /  /  /  / 
The level of traffic congestion /  /  /  /  / 
Parks and open spaces /  /  /  /  / 
Public transport /  /  /  /  / 
Race relations /  /  /  /  / 
Road and pavement repairs /  /  /  /  / 
Shopping facilities /  /  /  /  / 
Sports and leisure facilities /  /  /  /  / 
Wage levels and local cost of living /  /  /  /  / 

A community group is usually a small organisation of local volunteers who are trying to tackle issues identified by local residents e.g. tenants and residents groups, community associations and play activities.

Q12If you have community groups active in your neighbourhood, to what extent do they….? Please one box on each row to indicate your response.

A great deal / A little / Not at all / Not aware of community groups
….help people from different backgrounds get on well together in their local area /  /  /  / 
….help people feel they belong to their neighbourhood /  /  /  / 
….offer volunteering opportunities within your local area /  /  /  / 
.... offer services to other residents i.e. lunch clubs, parent-toddler groups, credit unions, advice, social activities
/  /  /  / 
….provide chances to meet local agencies to raise issues about local services /  /  /  / 
….improve your satisfaction with your local area generally
/  /  /  / 

Q13How far do you agree or disagree with the following statements….? Please one box on each row to indicate your response.

Agree strongly / Agree slightly / Neither agree nor disagree / Disagree slightly / Disagree strongly
I understand the term ‘doorstep crime’ /  /  /  /  / 
Doorstep crime is the name given to crimes carried out by bogus callers and rogue traders who call uninvited at people’s homes under the guise of legitimate business or trade.
I understand how I can prevent doorstep crime /  /  /  /  / 
I know where I can access impartial support and advice about home security /  /  /  /  / 
I am confident when dealing with doorstep sales people and traders /  /  /  /  / 
I understand my rights when dealing with doorstep sales people and traders
/  /  /  /  / 
I understand my Human Rights and the way in which I can use them to influence decisions made about my life /  /  /  /  / 
I think there are support services to assist older people to live independently in their own home /  /  /  /  / 
I know how to find out what support will be there to help me live independently in my own home when I need it /  /  /  /  / 

Advice and information

Q14Please tell us about your advice and information experiences in any of the following areas in the last 12 months? Please one box on each row to indicate in which area or areas the answer to each question is ‘yes’.

Caring responsibilities for a relative or friend who cannot do without your help / Support to live independently in the community – Social Care / A healthy lifestyle – smoking, alcohol, fitness and diet / None of these
Do you know where to find professional/ specialist help locally about the following? /  /  /  / 
Which of the following, if any, have been important to you during the last 12 months? /  /  /  / 
Would you have liked professional/ specialist help about any of the following? /  /  /  / 
Did you actually get any professional/ specialist help on the following
/  /  /  / 
Caring responsibilities for a relative or friend who cannot do without your help / Support to live independently in the community – Social Care / A healthy lifestyle – smoking, alcohol, fitness and diet / None of these
Did the professional/ specialist help you improve your situation for any of the following? /  /  /  / 
Did you get your advice or help elsewhere e.g. friends, family for any of the following?
/  /  /  / 
Did this advice or help improve your situation for any of the following?
/  /  /  / 

Health Issues

Q15Which of the following steps, if any, have you taken in the past 12 months to manage your /your family’s weight? Please one box on each row to indicate your response.

Yes – in the past 12 months I’ve done this / No – I’ve not done this but in the next 12 months I’d like to do it / No – I don’t feel I need to do this/I already do this / No – I feel I need to but I’m not planning to do it / Don’t know
Eat smaller portions /  /  /  /  / 
Cook from scratch /  /  /  /  / 
Eat more fruit and vegetables /  /  /  /  / 
Walk more/not use the car /  /  /  /  / 
Reduce fizzy drinks and snacks
/  /  /  /  / 
Reduce alcohol intake
/  /  /  /  / 
Go to the gym
/  /  /  /  / 
Take up a sport
/  /  /  /  / 

Take diet pills

/  /  /  /  / 

I’ve done something else that’s not on this list

/  /  /  /  / 

Q16If you wanted to try and lose weight which of these ways do you think you would find the most useful? Please all that apply

Self-help book/leaflet / 
Online self-help / 
Groups (in person) / 

Online groups

/ 
Support from a leisure centre / 
Support from GP or other health professional / 
Support from friends and family / 
Someone to lose weight with / 
Support from someone who has been successful in losing weight / 
Other – please write in below
/ 
I’d prefer to do it independently / 
I don’t need to try and lose weight / 
Don’t know / 

Q17 What sorts of things would motivate you to eat more healthily and/or exercise? Please write in

Q18 What sorts of things make it difficult to eat healthily and/or exercise? Please write in

Waste and Recycling

Q19 Stockport Council has a duty to keep all open public land, which it controls, clear of litter and rubbish. Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with each of the following elements of the service we provide? Please one box on each row to indicate your response.

Agree strongly / Agree slightly / Neither agree nor disagree / Disagree slightly / Disagree strongly
Your road is kept clear of litter and rubbish /  /  /  /  / 
Your local area is kept clear of litter and rubbish /  /  /  /  / 
Your local shopping area is kept clear of litter and rubbish /  /  /  /  / 
The land which Stockport Council controls is kept clear of litter and rubbish /  /  /  /  / 

Q20 In your view, how can we improve elements of the service we provide in keeping land clear of litter and rubbish? Please write in

Q21 Stockport Council undertakes graffiti removal. Please indicate how far you agree or disagree with each of the following elements of the service we provide? Please one box on each row to indicate your response.

Agree strongly / Agree slightly / Neither agree nor disagree / Disagree slightly / Disagree strongly
Your local area is kept clear of graffiti /  /  /  /  / 
Your local shopping area is kept clear of graffiti /  /  /  /  / 
The land which Stockport Council controls is kept clear of graffiti /  /  /  /  / 

Q22Have you ever had reason to contact the Council about the litter and waste services it provides? Please one box only

Yes /  / Please answer Q23 / No /  / Please go to Q24

Q23Thinking about your contact with the Council in relation to the litter and waste services it provides, please indicate whether you are satisfied or dissatisfied with each of the following elements of the service we provide. Please one box on each row to indicate your response.

Very satisfied / Fairly satisfied / Neither / Fairly dissatisfied / Very dissatisfied / Don’t know
The ease of making contact /  /  /  /  /  / 
How helpful the staff were /  /  /  /  /  / 
How knowledgeable the staff were /  /  /  /  /  / 
How satisfied were you with the response /  /  /  /  /  / 
That your issue was resolved to your satisfaction /  /  /  /  /  / 

Climate Change

Stockport Council is committed to being a leading green borough. The following questions will help us understand how we can be ‘greener’.

How far do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

Q24I think that the climate is changing. Please one box only

A great deal /  / A little /  / Not very much /  / Not at all /  / Don’t know / 

Q25I think that human activities are having at least some impact on the climate. Please one box only

A great deal /  / A little /  / Not very much /  / Not at all /  / Don’t know / 

Q26I am concerned about climate change. Please one box only

A great deal /  / A little /  / Not very much /  / Not at all /  / Don’t know / 

Q27I think that climate change will have an effect on me and your family. Please one box only

A great deal /  / A little /  / Not very much /  / Not at all /  / Don’t know / 

Q28I think that I can play a role in limiting the effects of climate change. Please one box only

A great deal /  / A little /  / Not very much /  / Not at all /  / Don’t know / 

Q29I have recently taken some action to reduce your energy use at home. Please one box only

A great deal /  / A little /  / Not very much /  / Not at all /  / Don’t know / 

Q30I would you like to receive further information about climate change and the actions which I can take to reduce my impact on climate change? Please one box only

Yes /  / Please answer Q31 / No /  / Please go to Q32

Q31 How would you like to receive this information? Please all that apply

Newspapers / 
Internet / 
Email / 

Community groups

/ 
Newsletters / 
Direct mail to your letterbox / 
Other – please write in below
/ 
Don’t know / 

Emergency planning

Q32Have you read the Council’s Emergency Planning Guide, delivered to all Stockport homes in May 2009? It provided information on how to prepare for and what to do in a number of emergency situations. Please one box only

Yes /  / No /  / Not sure / 

Q33Is your home at risk from flooding? Please one box only

Yes /  / Please answer Q34 / No /  / Please go to Q35 / Don’t know /  / Please go to Q35

If your home is at risk of flooding:

Q34Have you taken any action to prepare for possible future flooding events? Please one box only

Yes /  / No / 

If your home is not at risk from flooding or if you do not know:

Q35Would you know where to find that information? Please one box only

Yes /  / No / 

Q36Have you prepared an emergency ‘grab bag’ containing vital information and essential items that you and your family may need in case you are evacuated from your home? Please one box only

Yes /  / No / 

Q37Do you know how to safely switch off your utilities i.e. the gas, electricity and water supply (if it is safe to do so) in an emergency? Please one box only

Yes /  / No /  / Not sure / 

Q38 Are you aware of what you should do in the event of an emergency i.e. flood or fire, in the following situations? Please one for each

Aware / Not aware
In work /  / 
At school /  / 
At home /  / 

Q39Which of the following information sources are you likely to use for advice on what to do in an emergency? Please all that apply

Council website / 
Local media i.e. TV, Radio, Newspapers / 
Other website – please write in below / 

Council’s emergency planning office

/ 
Other council department / 

Emergency service i.e. police, fire department

/ 
Other – please write in below / 

For more advice on emergency planning, please visit the following website:

Internet and social media

Q40Do you have access to the internet? Please one box only

Yes /  / Please answer Q41 / No /  / Please go to Q42

Q41What do you use the internet for? Please all that apply

Shopping / 
Banking / 
Accommodation / 

To access the Council or other services e.g. NHS

/ 
Booking holidays / 

Researching family history

/ 

Researching general information

/ 

email

/ 

Q42Do you use any of the following Social Media? Please all that apply

Facebook / 
Twitter / 
Bebo / 

MySpace

/ 
Linkedin / 

Flickr

/ 

Youtube

/ 

Q43 Would you use any of the following social media to access council or other agencies’ services e.g. NHS, Police etc? Please one for each

Would use / Would not use
Facebook /  / 
Twitter /  / 
Bebo /  / 

MySpace

/  / 
Linkedin /  / 

Flickr

/  / 

Youtube

/  / 

Q44Do you have digital or interactive TV? Please one box only

Yes /  / Please answer Q45 / No /  / Please go to Q46

Q45Who is your digital or interactive TV service provider? Please all that apply

Sky / 
Virgin / 
Tiscali / 

Freeview

/ 

Q46 Do you have any of the following games consoles and if so, do you connect to the internet with them? Please one for each

Yes, I have one but do not connect to the internet with it / Yes I connect to the internet with it / No I do not have one
Nintendo Wii /  /  / 
Playstation /  /  / 
Xbox /  /  / 

Many thanks for taking part in this Panel survey

Please return it to BMG in the pre-paid envelope provided, or to:

BMG, FREEPOST, BM1078, Birmingham, B7 4AR

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