Neighbourhood Action Groups
More than 6,600 Bracknell Forest residents took time to complete the Joint Neighbourhood Survey in 2009 which helps to identify and understand residents’ priorities for improvement in their neighbourhoods.
The survey was carried out in partnership with Thames Valley Police as part of a neighbourhood consultation undertaken by the Neighbourhood Action Groups (NAGs) in autumn 2009. In addition to the survey, residents had the opportunity to have their say through the 14 Neighbourhood Forums held across the borough.
This year’s survey - which went to every home in Bracknell Forest - together with the issues raised at the forums, will help to determine the priorities of the NAGs for the coming year.
The survey highlighted that parks and open spaces were for many residents the best aspect of living in Bracknell Forest, closely followed by access to nature and then health services; while 84 per cent of people were satisfied with their local area as a place to live.
The survey asked residents their top priorities for making their neighbourhoods better:
- More police on the streets (44 per cent);
- Reducing speeding in the streets (38 per cent);
- Tackling litter (35 per cent).
The findings also revealed a majority of residents agreed that the council, its public sector partners and the police seek people’s views and are successfully dealing with anti-social behaviour and crime.
Feedback from the neighbourhood forums, which took place in September and October last year, confirmed that there was an increased level of people participating in the discussions with a view to addressing local issues.
Cllr Iain McCracken, Bracknell Forest Council's executive member for public protection, said: "The Neighbourhood Survey is just one of the ways the authority seeks to gather information on the issues and concerns of our residents.
"The survey data itself gives a useful insight into not only those issues and concerns that are current which help the NAGs plan and organise their work for the coming year but also those things that we value and must strive to preserve.
"It is gratifying to have 84 per cent of respondents saying they are satisfied with their local area as a place to live. It endorses what we believe is important, our parks and open spaces, our leisure facilities, those things that we enjoy and have grown up with.
"The survey also points to and in some instances reaffirms those issues that need attention and we will over the coming months be looking with our partners at how we can address them.
"Our 14 NAGs do a very valuable job in addressing their local issues and concerns, feeding information back to the police, the council and other organisations and help influence the services provided. They also play a key role in reporting back to their local communities the work that has been done.
"We will work even harder this year to encourage a more diverse range of people to get involved with NAGS, especially younger residents who, according to the survey, are concerned about anti-social behaviour, more so than older people.
"I would encourage residents to seek out their NAG chairman and become involved in helping to keep our borough a low crime area, somewhere we are happy to live, work and play."
The next round of Neighbourhood Action Group meetings is due to start on February 2. A download of dates and venues can be found on the right side of this page. Anyone who wants to be involved can contact Fiona Heston, senior policy officer at Bracknell Forest Council on 01344 353315, or email fiona.heston@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
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