The Place Survey was the new biennial statutory survey which all local authorities in England were required to carry out. Together with the tenant satisfaction (STATUS) survey, it replaced the suite of Best Value Performance Indicator (BVPI) user satisfaction surveys, which have been carried out since 2002. However, the change of Government has meant that the 2nd survey due to be carried out in the Autumn 2010 has been postponed.
The 2008 survey was conducted via a postal self-completion approach, as prescribed by the Audit Commission and the Department of Communities and Local Government. Fieldwork was carried out from 26 September to 19 December 2008. In Sandwell, a total of 1,545 responses were achieved.
The findings from the Place Survey are important because they help the Council and its local partners on the local strategic partnership (LSP) [including the police, fire and health services, and the voluntary and community sector] understand how they are performing in relation to each of the new citizen perspective indicators prioritised by the government, and how residents’ views have changed over time in relation to key local public service and quality of life issues.