Council survey has no degree of credibility

I was recently sent a link to a survey undertaken for the council by Lake Market Research, which involved 1,740 residents, seeking their views on various issues such as their satisfaction with the council.

This represents about one per cent of the borough’s residents, and therefore the results of the survey cannot be regarded as representative, or taken with any degree of credibility.

One wonders why the council chose to have this survey undertaken?

A reasonable guess would be that it was done to convince the very gullible, naive and stupid residents that the council are doing a good job.

As already stated numerous times, residents of the borough are neither gullible, naive or stupid, and do not appreciate being treated as such.

The reality is that our council is deeply unpopular with a large proportion of residents, particularly those living in Maidenhead, and they are failing us.

Amongst friends, neighbours and colleagues I have not met anyone who has a good word to say about the council.

How on earth then, did the survey come up with the figure that 70 per cent of residents have a fair amount, or great deal of trust in the council? Or that 66 per cent are very, or fairly satisfied with the way the council runs things?

Apparently 52 per cent believe that the council delivers value for money. These figures are absolutely laughable.

The survey says the top two factors influencing residents’ satisfaction of living in the area is that 45 per cent appreciate the quality of parks and open spaces, and 34 per cent appreciate access to nature and the countryside.

I can’t imagine the interviewers pointed out the fact that if development of MGC goes ahead, 48 per cent of Maidenhead’s greenbelt will be destroyed.

The survey was undertaken by phone, and also face-to-face with an unstated number of residents.

It is relatively straightforward to achieve desired responses over the phone, by the way questions are phrased.

A far more reliable method would have been to deliver a short questionnaire to every household, which would have produced some very different results.

The most common complaint about our council is they simply ignore residents’ objections and continue blindly with their own agenda set by the council leader.

A good example would be the proposed

golf course development.

In spite of three very well attended public protest meetings, the council are proceeding with their development plans.

I have not spoken to anyone who is in favour of the golf course redevelopment, which is quite clearly strongly opposed by residents. The sole reason, repeated ad infinitum, for the council’s desperation to develop the golf course is financial.

Through their own financial incompetence and mismanagement, the council are now £250 million in debt.

They are clinging on to the dwindling hope that the development of MGC will raise approximately £225 million, effectively clearing their debt.

This is certainly not a justification for the destruction of this invaluable green space to current, and all future generations of Maidonians.

The borough’s residents need and deserve a better council that responds to residents’ views and opinions, as they have been elected to do so.

The only way to achieve this is through the forthcoming local elections in May 2023.

JOHN HUDSON Rushington Avenue