Case study · Residents and communities
Updating resident perceptions for Southend-on-Sea City Council
A representative survey of 1,100 residents provided updated evidence on perceptions of the Council, the local area, and community, with comparisons to the 2021 survey and national data.
AudienceSouthend residents aged 16+
Approach1,100 CATI and face-to-face interviews, with subgroup and key driver analysis
Value to Southend-on-Sea City CouncilUpdated evidence on resident experience, satisfaction, and the factors driving satisfaction and dissatisfaction
The brief
- Southend-on-Sea City Council wanted an updated resident perception survey in the context of its Vision and 2024–28 Corporate Plan
- The Council’s previous resident perception survey had been undertaken in 2021
The approach
- The 2025 survey retained comparable measures from the 2021 research while introducing new questions to address current Council priorities
- CATI interviewing was the main method, using quotas by age, gender, and area, with additional face-to-face interviews to balance the sample
- The questionnaire was piloted before launch
- Enventure Research undertook significant subgroup analysis to explore how different groups experienced Council services and the local area, alongside key driver analysis of satisfaction and dissatisfaction
The outcome
- 1,100 interviews were completed
- Results were compared with the 2021 survey, while accounting for methodological differences, and with national polling data
- The analysis gave the Council a more detailed understanding of differences between resident groups and the factors most closely associated with satisfaction and dissatisfaction
- A comprehensive report provided up-to-date evidence to support future Council decision making