The majority of panel members believe that North Lincolnshire has been reasonably successful in establishing a strong identity for itself (70%).
Almost two-thirds also believe that the council has a good image.
The vast majority (83%) regard North Lincolnshire as a good place to live.
Of the six local police priorities, the target to reduce death and serious injury on the roads has the highest level of awareness (78%). Whilst around two-thirds of panel members were aware of four of the remaining priorities, less than half were aware of the aim of the police to increase the level of highly visible police patrols.
Targeting drug dealers emerged as the area of main concern to panel members with 84% rating it as ‘very important’. Reducing violent crime and reducing death and serious injury on the road were also considered very important by over 80% of panel members, though reducing burglary was not far behind at 78%.
A significant proportion of panel members (37%) expressed dissatisfaction with the level of police visibility in the area, with older people being less happy than younger ones.
Overall only 10% said they were ‘very satisfied’ with policing overall, with a further 43% being ‘quite satisfied’. Those in urban areas were slightly more satisfied (57%) than those in rural areas (50%).
Just over half of those who have had contact with the police over the last 12 months were satisfied with the way in which their enquiry was handled (54%).
Local media is an important source of information with 86% gaining information about the council from local newspapers and 57% from local radio in the last twelve months.
The Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph is the most frequently read local paper, with almost three quarters of panel members reading it at least once a week.
The three local radio stations have similar levels of listenership, though different audiences – Viking FM being the youngest profile and Radio Humberside the oldest.
Three quarters of panel members have read council leaflets or other publications and almost half have phoned the council in the last twelve months. Significant minorities have visited council offices.
The concept of a free council newspaper received widespread approval, with three quarters being in favour of the idea.
Whilst only 11% had visited the council web site, 23% were open to the idea of using the internet to carry out transactions.
Overall, 20% feel there is not enough affordable housing in the area.
Whilst a quarter have no opinion on the matter, 61% are against the idea of transferring housing stock out of council control.
The vast majority (85%) feel that the council should tackle the problem of empty homes in the area.
The majority of panel members agree that council run leisure and cultural facilities are important in terms of helping to improve people’s lives.
Few see any barriers to use of these facilities, though the level of charges and transport difficulties could be an issue in some cases.
Overall, 27% had visited a museum or gallery in the last twelve months, with the Scunthorpe Museum being the most popular.
Whilst the museums and galleries are rated highly, visiting is infrequent and two-thirds of those who had visited a facility in the North Lincolnshire area in the last twelve months also visit museums and galleries elsewhere (usually whilst on holiday).
Use of the Scunthorpe Screen is low with only 13% having visited in the last twelve months – visitors being biased towards the under 35s.
Although the cinema is rated reasonably highly, almost half of the under 35s who have used the Scunthorpe Screen visit cinemas outside the area, as do over a third of older users. Better choice and more comfortable seats are cited as reasons for going elsewhere.
The Plowright Theatre was visited by 31% of panel members, with over 35s being more likely to visit than younger ones. Whilst a significant proportion also visit theatres outside the area, this usually relates to seeing something special or whilst on holiday.
The Theatre is rated highly amongst users and compares favourably with other facilities people use.
Almost half have visited Normanby Hall and Country Park in the last twelve months with those aged under 45 being more likely to have done so (59%).
Whilst many claim to visit other country parks and gardens, it tends to be as part of a holiday or other trip out of the area, and Normanby compares favourably.
Almost half of all panel members have used a council run indoor sports facility in the last twelve months. Use was biased towards the under 45s, two-thirds of whom have used such a facility compared with only 28% of older panel members.
Those who use these facilities do so reasonably frequently, and tend not to use facilities outside the area.