HillingdonFirst consultation

In autumn 2007, the council undertook formal and informal consultation with residents and local businesses to find out their views on a residents' privilege card.

This process included:

• A survey of a sample of Hillingdon residents
• Attendance at a range of forums such as the Older Peoples Assembly and Connecting Communities
• Resident's surveys posted on the council's website and intranet

In spring 2008, the council held three focus groups at which residents were asked more detailed questions about the card, including:

• What it should offer?
• What the card should be called?
• What the card should look like?
• How they would like information about the card?

HillingdonFirst was also discussed at the Cabinet Question Time events throughout the borough, attended by over 600 residents, where feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

What residents told us:

• 88% of residents who responded said that a residents card is a good idea.
• 51% said they would be prepared to pay a small charge.
• The top four service areas that are high priority for residents to access using a card are:
  • libraries
  • leisure services
  • parking
  • travel on public transport
• The most popular rewards and benefits for residents were discounts in local shops and restaurants.

Results of residents' consultation:

(Click on any of the graphs to see them full size)

1. We would like the card to enable people to use lots of different services, please state which ones would be the most useful to you and your family?

The chart shows that in respect of a card being useful to access services, there are four service areas that are high priority for residents. These are library, leisure, parking (both multi-story and street) services and travel on public transport.

Around 46% of residents thought that it would be useful to be able to pay council tax with the card.

2. We would like this card to give rewards and benefits to residents, which ones would be most useful to you and your family?

The most popular rewards and benefits for residents were discounts in local shops and restaurants. In respect of council services, the most popular rewards were preferential parking rates, closely followed by leisure centre discounts.

3. A series of statements were presented to residents and they were asked which ones they agreed or disagreed with.

The chart shows that residents like the idea of having a card, especially one that can be used to access many services.

4. Do you think a Hillingdon card is a good idea?

This demonstrates that the overwhelming majority of Hillingdon residents we asked think a Hillingdon card is a good idea.

5. If there were a small charge for this card, would you still be interested?

Around half of all residents surveyed would consider paying a small charge for a Hillingdon card.