Key statistics from the RBWM Public Consultation, 2022-23

1,803 completed consultations – almost three times as many as last year when 650 responded.

97% of responses were by local residents, 1% by local businesses, 2% by community/voluntary groups.

‘Arts & culture (incl. Norden Farm & Old Court)’ was the top investment priority, supported by 1,004 people. The second was ‘Children’s services’, supported by 408 people.

When asked ‘If we had more funding, which services do you think we should prioritise for investment?’, 58% of people – a clear majority – said ‘placemaking’.

When people were asked to give 3 priorities for general investment, 68% were about placemaking.

Within placemaking, ‘Arts & culture (incl. Norden Farm & Old Court)’ was by far the leading priority.

‘Invest in arts & culture (incl. Norden Farm & Old Court)’ was the most-mentioned thing in comments and suggestions, cited by 555 people. The second most-cited was ‘Improve environmental protection (inc. not developing Golf Course)’, by 95 people.

A majority of people, 52%, disagreed that the council was good value for money. Only 18% agreed.

When asked what changes the Council would need to make to improve value for money, 60% said investment in placemaking and 375+ people said investment in arts and culture (inc. Norden Farm and The Old Court) specifically.

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