Want to know how your council is performing. Well so do we so we have commissioned a survey to find out.

The survey will be conducted by Roy Morgan Research over the next three months, with outcomes expected to be produced later in the year.

Comparative performance measurement data is used by councils to measure trends in their own performance over time and to compare their performance with the average results of similar councils and across the state. The most important project aims of undertaking this survey is to ensure performance measures are consistent or improved over time.

Unley Council has been involved with the survey for the past four years. In 2011, 400 residents were surveyed and ratings were given for the community’s awareness and perceptions of seven core council responsibilities and services.

The seven core responsibilities analysed were;

• Strategic objectives,
• Community consultation,
• Council services,
• Quality of life,
• Public access to information,
• Asset/Infrastructure management,
• Safety and security.

The City of Unley achieved a satisfactory rating for 2011 (7.87 out of 10) However, Unley’s overall performance rating was higher than the SA state average.

The 2010/11 results have also been used to guide Council’s ongoing service evaluations.

This data will provide valuable information that can be used by Council to measure performance trends in these key areas, and to analyse community opinion and satisfaction.

It will also enable Council’s performance to be compared with the average results of similar councils in Adelaide and others across the state.

Mayor Lachlan Clyne said; “Community engagement is a top priority for Council and this is just another great opportunity to gain valuable community feedback.

“The aim of this project is to identify Council’s performance – to gauge if our services are meeting the needs of our community.

“We look forward to receiving this year’s results so that we can continue to provide our community with what they value and need” he said.

And I agree.