Satisfaction with local area

• The majority of residents (72%) are satisfied with their local area, down only -2ppts since 2019. However, less than one in five residents are ‘very’ satisfied (17%), a drop of -6ppts since 2019. Compared to the most recent LGA benchmark, overall area satisfaction is below average (82%).
• By area there is substantial variation, with eight in ten residents satisfied with their local area in West (83%) compared to just over half in East Central (58%).
• This divide is also apparent in the ACORN classifications, where 84% of Affluent Achievers are satisfied, +31ppts more than Urban Adversity (55%).
• Moreover, those significantly more likely to be satisfied with the local area include women (75%) and home owners (79%).

The majority of residents are satisfied with open spaces, refuse collection and recycling services. Road and pavement maintenance are the services with the highest level of dissatisfaction.

Local priorities following the Covid-19 pandemic

The pandemic period has increased the importance of a number of local issues. In particular, parks and open spaces and safe streets have become more important to residents, along with addressing crime and ASB.

• Park and open spaces for socializing have become especially important to those in the West (79%), 55-64s (76%), Women (73%) and Homeowners (72%).
• Addressing crime and ASB has become more important for 55-64s (76%), Women (72%), and for Homeowners as much as Social Renters* (70% respectively).
• Clean, safe streets for exercise are now more important for those in the West (71%), 55-64s (72%), Women (69%), and for the Financially Stretched (69%).
• Supporting small and local businesses and reducing waste and pollution have also increased in importance among at least half of residents as a result of the pandemic.

Local priorities following COVID-19 pandemic by age

Green boxes denote a percentage that is significantly higher compared to at least one other age band.

For more affluent groups, addressing crime has become more important. Community engagement is now more important for Comfortable Communities.

Green boxes denote a percentage that is significantly higher compared to at least one other ACORN category

Reasons for moving to Southend

The majority (77%) of residents have lived in Southend for more than five years. Of those that have relocated to the area more recently, it was most likely for a better quality of life and/or to be closer to family and friends.

• Long-standing residents (77% of all respondents) are more likely to live in the East (83%) or East Central (82%) areas of Southend and be in the Affluent Achievers ACORN category (83%).
• Those who relocated for a better quality of life are most likely to live in the West (58%) and be Affluent Achievers (65%).
• Those who have come to Southend to be closer to friends/family are most likely to be over 65yo (51%) and Financially Stretched (39%).

Using open spaces following Covid-19

In the future, half (51%) of residents expect to use Southend’s parks and open spaces more than they did before the pandemic.

• There is no notable spatial variation in the expected use of parks in the future.
• Financially Stretched are the ACORN category most likely to expect to use parks and open spaces ‘a lot more’ in the future (31% of this group gave this response).
• 16-44s are also more likely to use the parks in Southend ‘a lot more’ in the future (28% of this age group gave this response).

These are the results from Q5 - Looking to the future how much do you think you will use Southend’s parks and open spaces compared to before the pandemic period?

Reasons for increased use of open spaces

For those (67%) that used open spaces more during the pandemic, this was most commonly to aid relaxation, illustrating the connection between these spaces and mental wellbeing

• Those more likely to have used open spaces during the pandemic as places to relax live in the West (59%) and more likely to be male (56%).
• Those that used open spaces for exercise and if other options weren’t available are more likely to be in the Rising Prosperity ACORN group (63%), be 55-64s (50%) and live in the West (49%)

Reasons for decreased use of open spaces

For the minority (15%) that used the parks less during the pandemic, it was more likely because they didn’t think open spaces were safe places to be anymore. It is not clear from the data whether such safety concerns were pandemic related i.e. virus transmission.

One in three (30%) were shielding from the coronavirus and thus advised not to go to public places.

Reducing carbon emissions

The majority (75%) of residents are willing to help the Council achieve net zero targets. However, only one in four (25%) are aware of the Green City action plan to reduce carbon emissions in the borough.

• Those most commonly willing to take action to help meet net zero carbon are Rising Prosperity (89%) and live in West Central (81%).
• They are also more likely to be working (82%) and are more likely to be a homeowner (78%)
• Those unaware of the Green City plan are more likely to live in the West (49%) of the borough.

Ways of reducing impact on environment

When asked what they as individuals can do to reduce their impact upon the environment, altering personal transport behaviours was most commonly identified (33%), following by purchasing decisions on products with less packaging (20%) and recycling behaviours (18%)

These are the results to Q9 - What is the one thing you personally could do to reduce your impact on the environment?

Reducing impact of waste on environment

The vast majority agree recycling possibilities should be maximised to keep refuse out of landfill (87%) and nearly all residents are concerned about beach and marine litter (96%).