Resident Survey

Appendix B

Resident Survey

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contents

 

Methodology. 3

Council Satisfaction. 4

How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with your local area as a place to live?. 4

How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the way Maidstone Borough Council runs things?. 5

To what extent do you agree or disagree that Maidstone Borough Council provides good value for money  6

Overall, how well informed do you think Maidstone Borough Council keeps residents about the services and benefits it provides?. 7

Corporate Priorities. 8

Priority Importance. 8

Priority 1. A home for everyone. 9

How confident are you that you know where to get information, advice and guidance about: Housing Advice   10

My neighbourhood is a place where….where homes are affordable. 11

Priority 2.  A clean and safe environment. 12

My neighbourhood is a place that is … clear of litter 13

My neighbourhood is a place that is … clear of graffiti 14

My neighbourhood is a place that is … clear of dog fouling. 15

How safe do you feel walking in your local area during daylight. 16

How safe do you feel walking in your local area during night-time. 17

Priority 3. Regenerating the Town Centre. 18

How would you rate the following in Maidstone Town Centre: Range of shops. 19

How would you rate the following in Maidstone Town Centre: Entertainment available. 20

How would you rate the following in Maidstone Town Centre: Range of eating and drinking establishments  21

Do you think any of the following issues are a problem in the Town Centre? Empty shops. 22

Demographics. 23

Weighting. 24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Methodology

 

Maidstone Borough Council undertook a consultation between 21 June and 20th August 2017.

 

The survey was carried out online and by post, with a direct email to approximately 9,000 customer who had consented to being contacted by email and was promoted on the Council’s website, social media and in the local press and a mailed paper copy was sent to a random sample of 6,100 households on the Council Tax Register, this was a one off mailing with no reminders. In addition paper copies were also handed out at engagement days held at various locations around the borough. An incentive prize of £100 shopping vouchers was offered to boast returns.

 

The survey was open to all Maidstone Borough residents aged 18 years and over. Data has been weighted according to the known population profile to counteract non-response bias (weighting was applied to 2008 responses where both questions on gender and age were answered). The weighting profile is based on the 2016 mid-year ONS population estimates. However, the under-representation of 18 to 24 year olds means that high weights have been applied to responses in this group, therefore results for this group should be treated with caution. It should also be noted that respondents from BME backgrounds are slightly under-represented at 4.1% compared 5.9%[1] in the local area.

 

The economically active group includes respondents in employment (full, part-time or self-employed) or who are looking for work.

 

A total of 2350 people responded to the questionnaire, this report discusses the weighted results Please note not every respondent answered every question therefore the total number of respondents refers to the number of respondents for the question being discussed not to the survey overall. 

With a total of 2,350 responses to the survey, the overall results in this report are accurate to ±2.0% at the 95% confidence level. This means that we can be 95% certain that the results are between ±2.0% of the calculated response, so the ‘true’ response could be 2.0% above or below the figures reported (i.e. a 50% agreement rate could in reality lie within the range of 48% to 52%).

 

 

 

 

 

Council Satisfaction

How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with your local area as a place to live?

Percentage Satisfied

Age

-          18 to 24 years

62.2

-          25 to 34 years

67.5

-          35 to 44 years

75.4

-          45 to 54 years

70.2

-          55 to 64 years

72.7

-          65 to 74 years

70.0

-          75 years and over

73.4

Gender

-          Male

68.7

-          Female

72.2

Ethnicity

-          White groups

71.1

-          BME groups

70.9

Disability

-          Yes

64.5

-          No

72.0

Economic Situation

-          Economically active

72.1

-          Economically inactive

66.2

Overall, 70.5% of respondents were very or fairly satisfied with their local area as a place to live. The fairly satisfied was the most common response, with the majority of responses in this answer choice.  

There is a gap of 13.2% between the age group with the greatest level of satisfaction (35 to 44 year olds) and that with the lowest (18 to 24 year olds). Almost one in four respondents in the 18 to 24 years group were very or fairly dissatisfied.  Respondents in the group 25 to 34 years had the greatest proportion of respondent that were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied at 15.8%.

 

 


 

How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the way Maidstone Borough Council runs things?

Percentage Yes

Age

-          18 to 24 years

61.5

-          25 to 34 years

48.2

-          35 to 44 years

51.3

-          45 to 54 years

43.5

-          55 to 64 years

44.4

-          65 to 74 years

42.8

-          75 years and over

48.8

Gender

-          Male

47.3

-          Female

48.4

Ethnicity

-          White groups

48.1

-          BME groups

41.5

Disability

-          Yes

42.9

-          No

49.2

Economic Situation

-          Economically active

49.7

-          Economically inactive

41.7

Overall, 47.9% of respondents were very or fairly satisfied with the way the Council runs things. The most common response was fairly satisfied with 43.5% of respondents selecting this answer. However, just over one in four respondents said they were very or fairly dissatisfied with the way the Council runs things.

There is an 18.7% gap between the age group with the highest level of satisfaction (18 to 24 year olds) and that that with the lowest level (65 to 74 year olds).

There is an 8% difference in satisfaction between respondents that are economically active and those that are economically inactive. Inactive respondent were 5% more likely to respond that they are very or fair dissatisfied.  

There is a 6.6% difference in the satisfaction levels between respondents from white groups and those from BME groups. Although both groups have a comparable proportion of people that are dissatisfied when compared to the overall result respondents from BME groups were more likely to say they have no strong opinion either way than those from white groups.   

To what extent do you agree or disagree that Maidstone Borough Council provides good value for money

Percentage Agreeing

Age

-          18 to 24 years

31.6

-          25 to 34 years

35.5

-          35 to 44 years

30.9

-          45 to 54 years

27.6

-          55 to 64 years

25.3

-          65 to 74 years

29.8

-          75 years and over

31.7

Gender

-          Male

30.5

-          Female

29.9

Ethnicity

-          White groups

30.3

-          BME groups

31.3

Disability

-          Yes

28.4

-          No

30.9

Economic Situation

-          Economically active

32.0

-          Economically inactive

25.8

Overall, 30.2% of all respondents either strongly or tended to agree that the council provides good value for money. The most common response was no strong opinion either way with 41.2% selecting this response and more than one in four respondents said they disagreed with the statement that the Council provides good value for money.

Across the age groups, the 25 to 34 year olds have the greatest level of agreement at 35.5% and the 55 to 64 year olds have the lowest level of agreement at 25.03%. The 55 to 64 year olds have the greatest proportion of respondents that have no strong opinion either way at 47.0%, while the 18 to 24 year olds have the greatest proportion of respondents that disagree that the Council provides good value for money. Overall that is a 10.2% between the age group with the highest and that with the lowest levels of agreement.

There is a 6.2% difference in the proportion of respondents agreeing between those that are economically active and those who are not. While both have comparable proportions disagreeing at 28.4% and 28.5% respectively, there is a greater proportion of respondents in the economically inactive group that have no strong opinion either way. 

Overall, how well informed do you think Maidstone Borough Council keeps residents about the services and benefits it provides?

Percentage Very or Fairly Well Informed

Age

-          18 to 24 years

48.3

-          25 to 34 years

49.1

-          35 to 44 years

49.6

-          45 to 54 years

51.6

-          55 to 64 years

52.2

-          65 to 74 years

50.8

-          75 years and over

54.6

Gender

-          Male

54.1

-          Female

47.7

Ethnicity

-          White groups

51.6

-          BME groups

40.9

Disability

-          Yes

48.4

-          No

51.0

Economic Situation

-          Economically active

50.8

-          Economically inactive

50.2

Overall, 50.8% of respondents said they thought MBC keeps it residents very or fairly well informed about the services and benefits it provides. The most common response was fair well informed.

The 75 years and over group have the greatest proportion of respondents that think they are very well or fairly well informed at 54.6%. Respondents from BME groups have the lowest proportion saying they are informed at 40.9%.

There is a 6.3% difference between the age group with the greatest level of confidence (75 years and over) and that with the lowest level (18 to 24 years). The data shows that levels of feeling informed increase with age. 

The greatest variation in responses is when results from BME groups and white groups are compared. There is a 10.7% difference in the proportion that feel informed, and while there is no significant difference in the proportions responding very well informed for both groups respondents from BME groups are more likely to not very well informed compared to white group respondents.            

Corporate Priorities

Priority Importance

 

The majority of respondents said that priority 2. A clean and safe environment was the one most important to them. One in four respondents said that priority one was most important and less than one in ten said that regenerating the town centre was most important.

Priority two was top priority in each group; the lowest selecting this response proportion was 57.0% from the 18 to 24 years group and the highest was 72.1% from the 75 years and over group.

Priority one, A home for everyone had the second greatest proportion across all groups with proportions ranging from 41.3% (18 to 24 years) to 21.1% (35 to 44 years).

Priority three, Regenerating the Town Centre achieved the lowest proportion across all groupings, ranging from 1.7% (18 to 24 years) to 12.5% (35 to 34 years).

There are no significant differences between the responses given by those with and those without a disability, those from white groups and those from BME groups or between men and women.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Priority 1. A home for everyone

 

Response Levels Reduce & Increase

Age

 

Reduce

Increase

-          18 to 24 years

7.9

47.2

-          25 to 34 years

20.8

32.3

-          35 to 44 years

21.9

29.1

-          45 to 54 years

19.6

30.0

-          55 to 64 years

15.3

36.4

-          65 to 74 years

16.5

32.0

-          75 years and over

11.4

24.0

Gender

-          Male

19.3

28.4

-          Female

15.2

36.7

Ethnicity

-          White groups

17.5

32.8

-          BME groups

9.4

37.4

Disability

-          Yes

17.9

34.5

-          No

18.1

32.0

Economic Situation

-          Economically active

19.1

32.3

-          Economically inactive

13.8

34.7

Just over half of all respondents said that funding for the priority, a home for everyone should be maintained and almost one in three said spending should be increased.

The 18 to 24 years group had the greatest proportion saying that funding for this priority should be increased at 47.2% and the lowest proportion saying funding should be reduced. The 35 to 44 years group have the greatest proportion responding that funding should be reduced with just over one in five people in the group selecting this answer. The 75 years and over group have the greatest proportion saying that funding should be maintained at 64.5%.

There are significant variances in responses when assessed by age with a difference of 14% between the age group with the greatest proportion saying funding should be increased and that with the lowest.

The data also shows that women are more likely than men and BME groups are more likely than white groups to say that funding for a home for everyone should be increased.

There are no significant differences in the responses from people with and without a disability.

 

 

 

 

How confident are you that you know where to get information, advice and guidance about: Housing Advice[2]

Percentage Responding Very or Fairly Confident

Age

-          18 to 24 years

44.1

-          25 to 34 years

37.4

-          35 to 44 years

31.4

-          45 to 54 years

35.4

-          55 to 64 years

39.4

-          65 to 74 years

31.9

-          75 years and over

35.0

Gender

-          Male

36.2

-          Female

35.8

Ethnicity

-          White groups

36.0

-          BME groups

41.1

Disability

-          Yes

37.3

-          No

35.3

Economic Situation

-          Economically active

36.2

-          Economically inactive

35.0

Overall, 36.0% of respondents said they felt very of fairly confident about where to get information and advice on housing. The most common response was some confidence with 32.8%.

The 18 to 24 years group have the greatest proportion that said they were very or fairly confident in regards to knowing how to get housing advice. However, they also have the greatest proportion who said they have very little or no confidence in relation to housing advice (and the lowest proportion that had some confidence).

There is a gap of 12.7% between the age group with the greatest proportion saying they have confidence in this area (18 to 24 years) and that with the lowest proportion (35 to 44 years).

There are no significant variations in the responses from the economically active and the economically inactive, men and women and those with and without a disability. 

 

 

My neighbourhood is a place where….where homes are affordable[3]

Response Levels Reduce & Increase

Age

-          18 to 24 years

17.3

-          25 to 34 years

23.5

-          35 to 44 years

27.6

-          45 to 54 years

19.3

-          55 to 64 years

18.0

-          65 to 74 years

17.8

-          75 years and over

30.9

Gender

-          Male

21.6

-          Female

22.2

Ethnicity

-          White groups

21.6

-          BME groups

30.3

Disability

-          Yes

24.6

-          No

20.9

Economic Situation

 

-          Economically active

22.5

-          Economically inactive

20.0

Overall, 21.9% of respondents agree that their neighbourhood is an area where homes are affordable and 47.9% disagreed. The most common response was neither agree nor disagree with 30.2%. 

The 75 years and over group has the greatest proportion in agreement at 30.9% and the 18 to 24 years group have the greatest proportion disagreeing with the statement. The data suggests that disagreement with this statement declines with age.  The economically inactive group have the greatest proportion that have no strong view either way at 38.8%.

The data suggests that respondents from white groups are more likely to disagree than respondents from BME groups, that the economically active are more likely to disagree than the economically inactive and that those with would a disability are more likely to disagree than those with a disability.

Area

Percentage

Not being able to buy a new home or move

11.7%

Difficulties paying rent or mortgage

5.4%

The table to the left shows the percentage of respondents that said they had been affected by housing issues in the last 12 months.   

Priority 2.  A clean and safe environment

 

Response Levels Reduce & Increase

Age

 

Reduce

Increase

-          18 to 24 years

0.0

55.3

-          25 to 34 years

1.6

58.9

-          35 to 44 years

0.7

61.9

-          45 to 54 years

1.8

61.3

-          55 to 64 years

1.7

52.5

-          65 to 74 years

1.5

50.0

-          75 years and over

3.1

41.7

Gender

-          Male

1.5

59.7

-          Female

1.5

51.7

Ethnicity

-          White groups

1.4

55.7

-          BME groups

0.0

58.1

Disability

-          Yes

2.1

50.8

-          No

1.4

57.2

Economic Situation

-          Economically active

1.3

58.0

-          Economically inactive

1.9

50.4

Over half of all respondents said that funding for a clean and safe environment should be increased and 1.5% said funding should be reduced.  

The 35 to 44 years group have the greatest proportion of respondents that said that funding for this priority should be increased. No respondents in either the 18 to 24 years or the BME group responded that funding should be reduced. The 75 years and over group have the greatest proportion of respondents that said funding should be maintained.

While the proportion of men and women that said that funding for this priority should be reduced are in line with the overall results, the data suggests that men are slightly more in favour of increasing funding for this priority compared to women, with a 8% difference in the proportion selecting this answer.  The same can be inferred for the economic activity groups with the economically active slight more in favour of increasing spending than the economically inactive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My neighbourhood is a place that is … clear of litter [4]

 

Percentage agreeing

Age

-          18 to 24 years

66.5

-          25 to 34 years

54.2

-          35 to 44 years

48.5

-          45 to 54 years

50.4

-          55 to 64 years

47.6

-          65 to 74 years

44.0

-          75 years and over

50.6

Gender

-          Male

51.9

-          Female

50.1

Ethnicity

-          White groups

50.7

-          BME groups

57.4

Disability

-          Yes

47.9

-          No

51.5

Economic Situation

-          Economically active

53.1

-          Economically inactive

46.9

Just over half (51%) of all respondents agree that their local area is a place that is clear of litter, 39.7% disagreed and less than one in ten had no strong opinion either way. Tend to agree was the most common response.

The greatest level of agreement was from the 18 to 24 years group at 66.5%, the 65 to 74 years group had the greatest level of disagreement at 47.0%.  The 75 years and over group have the greatest proportion with no strong opinion either way at 13.6%.

There are no significant differences between the responses of those who are economically active and those who are not, between those with and without a disability or between men and women.

Respondents from BME groups are slightly more likely to agree that their local area is free from litter compared to white groups.


 

My neighbourhood is a place that is … clear of graffiti

Response Levels Reduce & Increase

Age

-          18 to 24 years

79.3

-          25 to 34 years

84.1

-          35 to 44 years

81.0

-          45 to 54 years

79.9

-          55 to 64 years

77.1

-          65 to 74 years

77.3

-          75 years and over

83.1

Gender

-          Male

79.8

-          Female

80.7

Ethnicity

-          White groups

79.9

-          BME groups

86.6

Disability

-          Yes

77.5

-          No

80.4

Economic Situation

-          Economically active

81.4

-          Economically inactive

78.1

Overall, 80.3% of respondents agree that their local area is clear of graffiti and less than one in ten (9.1%) disagree.  The most common response was tend to agree with 47.6%.

Respondents from BME groups had the greatest level of agreement at 86.6%, the 18 to 24 years group have the greatest levels of disagreement at 12.1% and those with a disability have the greatest proportion with no strong opinion either way at 15.4%.

There are no significant variance in the responses between those who are economically active and those who are economically inactive.

 

 

 


 

My neighbourhood is a place that is … clear of dog fouling

Response Levels Reduce & Increase

Age

-          18 to 24 years

67.4

-          25 to 34 years

47.4

-          35 to 44 years

38.2

-          45 to 54 years

45.3

-          55 to 64 years

44.2

-          65 to 74 years

46.3

-          75 years and over

58.7

Gender

-          Male

40.5

-          Female

45.4

Ethnicity

-          White groups

48.0

-          BME groups

47.1

Disability

-          Yes

45.7

-          No

48.2

Economic Situation

 

-          Economically active

48.9

-          Economically inactive

46.5

Overall, 47.9% of respondents either strongly agreed or tended to agree that their local area was clear of dog fouling and 38.7% disagreed. The most common response was tend to agree.

The 18 to 24 years had the greatest proportion that agreed at 67.4%, followed by the 75 years and over group with 58.7%. The 35 to 44 years group have the greatest proportion that disagreed at 46.2%. The 55 to 64 years groups had the greatest proportion that responded no strong opinion either way with almost one in five respondents (19.6) selecting this answer.

The data shows that men are marginally more likely to agree that their local area is clear of dog fouling when compared to women. There were no significant variations in responses between groups.

 


 

How safe do you feel walking in your local area during daylight

Response Very good and Good

Age

-          18 to 24 years

100.0

-          25 to 34 years

91.9

-          35 to 44 years

93.4

-          45 to 54 years

93.4

-          55 to 64 years

93.0

-          65 to 74 years

93.1

-          75 years and over

95.5

Gender

-          Male

95.0

-          Female

92.9

Ethnicity

-          White groups

94.6

-          BME groups

84.0

Disability

-          Yes

90.5

-          No

94.7

Economic Situation

 

-          Economically active

94.1

-          Economically inactive

93.2

Overall, 93.9% of respondents say they feel very of fairly safe walking, in their own area during daylight and 2.5% felt unsafe or very unsafe. The most popular response was very safe with more than half (53.3%) of all respondents selecting this answer.

The 18 to 24 years group have the greatest proportion responding positively (Very safe and Safe) at 100%, the 35 to 34 years group have the greatest proportion responding negatively (Unsafe and Very unsafe) at 4.4%, interestingly this is only made up of respondents answering unsafe as there were no respondents in this group who said they were very unsafe. Respondents from BME groups have the greatest proportion with no strong feelings either way at 11.7%.

There is a 10.6% difference in the proportion of positive responses between respondents from white groups and those from BME groups. While the proportion answering negatively are not significantly different however respondents from BME groups are at least three time more likely to have no strong opinion either way.

 


 

How safe do you feel walking in your local area during night-time

Response Very good and Good

Age

-          18 to 24 years

48.4

-          25 to 34 years

62.9

-          35 to 44 years

63.4

-          45 to 54 years

63.0

-          55 to 64 years

60.3

-          65 to 74 years

56.3

-          75 years and over

56.8

Gender

-          Male

68.6

-          Female

51.1

Ethnicity

-          White groups

61.4

-          BME groups

39.4

Disability

-          Yes

44.8

-          No

63.9

Economic Situation

 

-          Economically active

64.4

-          Economically inactive

50.7

Overall, 59.8% of respondents said they feel very or fairly safe walking in their local area in the night –time, just over one in five (21.5%) respondents said they feel unsafe or very unsafe. The most common response was fairly satisfied with 42.4%.

Male respondents have the greatest proportion responding that they feel very or fairly safe at 68.6%. Respondents with a disability have the greatest proportion responding unsafe and very unsafe with one in three (33.3%) in the group selecting these answers. BME respondents have the greatest proportion responding no strong feelings either way at 31.2%.

There is a 15% difference between the age group with the greatest level of respondents feeling safe (very safe and fairly safe) and that with the lowest level. For the previous two questions on feelings of safety the 18 to 24 years group had the greatest feelings of safety across all groups, it seem that these feeling of safety only apply in their own homes or during daylight hours.

There is a 17.5% difference between the feeling of safety between men and women, a 22.1% difference between respondents from BME groups when compared to respondents from white groups and a 19.1% difference between those with a disability and those without.

 

 

Priority 3. Regenerating the Town Centre

Response Levels Reduce & Increase

Age

 

Reduce

Increase

-          18 to 24 years

29.2

11.2

-          25 to 34 years

22.9

32.3

-          35 to 44 years

21.4

27.7

-          45 to 54 years

25.9

32.5

-          55 to 64 years

27.6

26.5

-          65 to 74 years

30.7

26.3

-          75 years and over

35.5

24.5

Gender

-          Male

26.2

28.9

-          Female

27.4

25.3

Ethnicity

-          White groups

26.8

26.4

-          BME groups

22.3

45.5

Disability

-          Yes

34.0

26.1

-          No

24.9

27.2

Economic Situation

-          Economically active

24.4

28.9

-          Economically inactive

31.9

23.1

Overall, 46.1% of respondents said that funding on regenerating the town centre should be maintained and 26.8% said that it should be reduced.

The 75 years and over age group have the greatest proportion who said that funding for this priority should be reduced at 35.5% and the BME group have the greatest proportion saying that funding should be increased at 45.5%. The 18 to 24 years group have the greatest proportion saying that funding should be maintained at 59.6%.

There are no significant variances in the response levels between men and women.

There are significant variances between respondents from white groups and those from BME groups, with a 19.1% difference between the proportions responding that funding should be increased. 

There is a greater proportion of respondents in the disability group that said funding should be reduced for the town centre priority when compared to those without a disability, a difference of 10.9%.   


How would you rate the following in Maidstone Town Centre: Range of shops

Response Very good & Good

Age

-          18 to 24 years

81.8

-          25 to 34 years

79.7

-          35 to 44 years

69.2

-          45 to 54 years

66.8

-          55 to 64 years

55.5

-          65 to 74 years

48.9

-          75 years and over

49.6

Gender

-          Male

66.3

-          Female

63.8

Ethnicity

-          White groups

65.0

-          BME groups

72.2

Disability

-          Yes

57.2

-          No

66.4

Economic Situation

 

-          Economically active

70.1

-          Economically inactive

53.2

Overall, 65.0% of respondents rated the range of shops in the town centre as very good or good and 15.8% rated them as very poor or poor. The most common response was good at 45.6%.

The 18 to 24 years group have the greatest proportion that were positive about the range of shops with four out of five respondents (81.8%) in this group answering very good or good. The 65 to 74 years group have the greatest proportion responding negatively (very poor and poor) with just over one in four (25.1%) selecting these answers. The 75 years and over group have the greatest proportion that had not strong views either way at 29.5%.

The data indicates that as people get older they are less happy with the range of shops Maidstone has to offer.

There is a 16.9% difference in the proportion of people responding positively between the economically active and the economically inactive. It should be noted that the majority of respondents aged 75 years and over said they were wholly retired from work and therefore classified as economically inactive.

NOTE: The graph and table excludes respondents who answered don’t know, if these were included 1.3% of all responders selected this answer.

How would you rate the following in Maidstone Town Centre: Entertainment available

Response Very good & Good

Age

-          18 to 24 years

58.9

-          25 to 34 years

72.2

-          35 to 44 years

63.9

-          45 to 54 years

59.8

-          55 to 64 years

49.3

-          65 to 74 years

40.8

-          75 years and over

37.8

Gender

-          Male

59.7

-          Female

53.8

Ethnicity

-          White groups

56.8

-          BME groups

54.8

Disability

-          Yes

49.4

-          No

59.1

Economic Situation

 

-          Economically active

61.1

-          Economically inactive

46.1

Overall, 56.7% of respondents answered positively about the entertainment available in the town centre, 16.5% were negative. The most common response was good.

The 25 to 34 years group have the greatest proportion that responded positively at 72.2% and the 75 years and over group have the greatest proportion that responded negatively at 23.5%.

The data suggests that there may be fewer or less attractive entertainment options for this group.

There is a 15.0% difference in the proportion of people responding positively between the economically active and the economically inactive. It should be noted that the majority of respondents aged 75 years and over said they were wholly retired from work and therefore classified as economically inactive.

NOTE: The graph and table excludes respondents who answered don’t know, if these were included 4.5% of all responders selected this answer.

 


 

How would you rate the following in Maidstone Town Centre: Range of eating and drinking establishments

Response Very good & Good

Age

-          18 to 24 years

90.5

-          25 to 34 years

90.2

-          35 to 44 years

86.7

-          45 to 54 years

86.0

-          55 to 64 years

78.9

-          65 to 74 years

76.6

-          75 years and over

81.8

Gender

-          Male

84.7

-          Female

84.5

Ethnicity

-          White groups

85.2

-          BME groups

78.2

Disability

-          Yes

83.2

-          No

85.5

Economic Situation

 

-          Economically active

86.2

-          Economically inactive

81.3

Overall, 84.6% of respondents were positive about the range of eating and drinking establishments in the town centre, and 3.2% responded negatively. The most common response was good with more than half of all respondent selecting this answer.

More than nine out of ten (90.5%) respondents in the 18 to 24 years group responded positively, the greatest proportion across all groups. The BME group has the greatest proportion of people who responded negatively at 10.2%, and the greatest proportion of people that have no strong opinion either way are in the 65 to 74 years group where one in five (20.5%) selected this answer.

There are no significant variances between the proportions responding positively between groupings except when it comes to age where there is a difference of 13.9% between the age group with the greatest proportion responding positively and that with the lowest proportion responding positively.

NOTE: The graph and table excludes respondents who answered don’t know, if these were included 2.2% of all responders selected this answer.

 

 

Do you think any of the following issues are a problem in the Town Centre? Empty shops

Response a Very big & Fairly big problem

Age

-          18 to 24 years

43.9

-          25 to 34 years

43.8

-          35 to 44 years

44.1

-          45 to 54 years

55.7

-          55 to 64 years

58.7

-          65 to 74 years

60.2

-          75 years and over

59.7

Gender

-          Male

46.6

-          Female

57.2

Ethnicity

-          White groups

52.7

-          BME groups

35.4

Disability

-          Yes

62.2

-          No

49.9

Economic Situation

 

-          Economically active

50.2

-          Economically inactive

56.7

Overall, just over half of all respondents (52.1%) said that empty shops in the town centre are a very big or very big problem. Fairly big problem was the most common response.

Respondents with a disability had the greatest proportion responding a very big or fairly big problem at 62.2%. The 18 to 24 years group have the greatest proportion that said it happen but is not a problem or is not a problem at all at 29.3%. Respondents from BME groups have the greatest proportion saying this is not a very big problem with over half (53.6%) of this group responding this way. 

There is a 12.3% difference in the proportion responding a very big and a fairly big problem between those with a disability and those without. The data shows that those with a disability are more likely to rate empty shops as a very big problem than those without and that those without a disability are more likely to rate empty shops as not a very big problem than those with a disability.

The data suggests that empty shops are grows as a concern with age and that women are more concerned than men.

NOTE: The graph and table excludes respondents who answered don’t know, if these were included 2.0% of all responders selected this answer.

 

Demographics

Gender

%

Count

Male

48.8%

979

Female

51.2%

1029

Grand Total

100.0%

2008

Disability

%

Count

Yes

15.9%

314

No

71.6%

1411

Prefer not to say

12.5%

247

Grand Total

100.0%

1972

No response

 

36

Religion

%

Count

Christian

56.5%

1116

Buddhist

0.3%

6

Hindu

0.5%

9

Jewish

0.2%

3

Muslim

0.5%

10

Sikh

0.2%

4

No religion

39.8%

787

Other

1.9%

38

Grand Total

100.0%

1975

No response

 

33

 

Age

%

Count

18 to 24 years

9.5%

191

25 to 34 years

16.3%

328

35 to 44 years

16.6%

332

45 to 54 years

18.8%

378

55 to 64 years

14.7%

296

65 to 74 years

13.3%

266

75 years and over

10.8%

216

Grand Total

100.0%

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carers

%

Count

Yes, 1 to 19 hrs per week

12.1%

238

Yes, 20 to 49 hrs per week

1.7%

34

Yes, more than 50 hrs per week

2.7%

53

No

83.4%

1639

Grand Total

100.0%

1965

No response

 

43

Ethnicity

%

Count

White (Northern Irish, British, Gypsy or Irish Traveller)

95.2%

1865

Mixed Multiple Ethnic Group

0.9%

17

Asian or Asian British (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese)

2.3%

45

Black (African, Caribbean, Black British)

0.4%

7

Other ethnic group

1.3%

25

Grand Total

100.0%

1959

No response

 

49

 

Living Arrangements

%

Count

Owned by you or partner (with or without a mortgage)

72.9%

1447

Rented from a housing association or trust

7.5%

149

Rented from a private landlord 

12.1%

239

Shared ownership 

1.8%

35

Living with friends/family (no tenancy)

4.8%

96

Other

0.9%

19

Grand Total

100.0%

1985

No response

 

23

Household Income

%

Count

Under £9,999

7.4%

135

£10,000 to £19,999

16.1%

295

£20,000 to £29,999

16.5%

303

£30,000 to £39,000

14.1%

258

£40,000 to £49,000

12.7%

233

£50,000 to £59,000

12.1%

222

£60,000 to £79,000

9.3%

170

£80,000 to £99,999

5.9%

108

£100,000 or more

5.9%

108

Grand Total

100.00%

1832

No response

 

176

 

 

 

Household Make up

%

Count

Couple, with no dependent child(ren)

38.7%

771

Couple with dependent child(ren)

30.2%

601

Lone parent with dependent child(ren)

5.5%

109

Single person household

17.3%

344

Multiple person household (includes house shares and homes of multiple occupation)

3.4%

68

Other

5.0%

100

Grand Total

100.0%

1994

No response

 

14

Economic Situation

%

Count

Employed full-time (30 hrs or more a week)

48.3%

933

Employed part-time (under 30 hrs a week)

11.1%

214

Employed (no guaranteed hrs per week)

0.8%

16

Self-employed

7.4%

143

In education or training

2.1%

40

Looking for work

1.0%

19

Looking after the home

3.2%

61

Permanently sick or disabled and unable to work

2.2%

42

Volunteering

2.5%

48

Wholly retired from work

21.5%

415

Grand Total

100.0%

1932

No response

 

76

 

 

 

Weighting

 

Age

Population

Survey

Weight

Males

%

Males

%

18 to 24

6398

5.0%

12

0.6%

8.31

25 to 34

10406

8.1%

86

4.3%

1.89

35 to 44

10436

8.1%

111

5.5%

1.47

45 to 54

12132

9.4%

162

8.1%

1.17

55 to 64

9361

7.3%

206

10.3%

0.71

64 to 74

8341

6.5%

250

12.5%

0.52

75 years and over

5736

4.5%

122

6.1%

0.73

Male Total

62810

 

949

 

 

Age

Females

%

Female

%

Weight

18 to 24 years

5864

5%

28

1.4%

3.26

25 to 34 years

10653

8%

158

7.9%

1.05

35 to 44 years

10892

8%

203

10.1%

0.84

45 to 64 years

12118

9%

208

10.4%

0.91

55 to 64 years

9617

7%

229

11.4%

0.65

65 to 74 years

8751

7%

154

7.7%

0.89

75 years and over

8118

6%

79

3.9%

1.60

Female Total

66013

 

1059

 

 

 

Total population (18 yrs and over)

128823

Total Responses

2008

 

 



[1] 2011 Census

[2] For this question confidence refers to the proportion responding very or fair confident.. 

[3] The use of the terms agreement level or agreeing refers to the combined proportion responding strongly agree or tend to agree, disagreement level or disagreeing refers the combined proportion responding strongly disagree or tend to disagree. 

[4] The use of the terms agreement level or agreeing refers to the combined proportion responding strongly agree or tend to agree, disagreement level or disagreeing refers the combined proportion responding strongly disagree or tend to disagree.