Resident survey: your view of the town

This resident survey helps a town or village council understand how residents see their community and what they expect for the years ahead. The questionnaire is anonymous, spread over three short pages and takes about five minutes to complete.

What is this community survey for?

Before drawing up a programme, a budget or a local development plan, a council needs to know what residents think. This questionnaire first collects a few profile details, neighbourhood, age group and length of residence, so that answers can be compared between areas and generations. Residents then rate the overall quality of life and several services, such as public transport, cleanliness, culture or sport. A key question asks them to choose up to three priorities among mobility and cycle lanes, green spaces, safety, housing, support for older people and youth and leisure. A final open field collects ideas and suggestions.

Who is it for?

• Town and village councils preparing a new term or budget
• Regional authorities consulting residents of several municipalities
• Neighbourhood associations and local committees
• Urban planning offices working on a public consultation
• Housing cooperatives questioning their tenants

How to adapt it in Mailpro

Adapt the list of neighbourhoods, the services to rate and the priority options to your own town. Add your coat of arms or logo and the municipal colours. Keep the anonymous responses setting enabled, as promised in the introduction, so that no answer can be linked to an individual. Share the survey by link on the municipal website, by QR code on posters and in the town hall, or in a Mailpro newsletter to residents. All responses arrive in Mailpro.

Tips

• Announce the survey through several channels so that you reach older residents as well as younger ones.
• Explain clearly how the results will be used and when they will be published.
• Keep the age groups broad to protect anonymity in small villages.
• Publish the main findings, even those that are less flattering.

Frequently asked questions

Which resident survey questions should a council ask?

Quality of life, satisfaction with services and future priorities form a solid base. Add specific questions only if a decision depends on them.

Is it a citizen satisfaction survey or a consultation?

It combines both: it measures satisfaction today and asks residents to rank priorities for tomorrow.

How long should the survey remain open?

Several weeks are usually needed so that everyone hears about it and finds time to reply.

Questions in this template

About you

1. Your neighbourhood or village
2. Your age
   Under 25 · 25 to 39 · 40 to 64 · 65 and over
3. How long have you lived in the town?
   Less than 2 years · 2 to 10 years · More than 10 years

Your town today

1. How would you rate the quality of life in the town?
2. What do you think of…

Your priorities

1. What should the priorities be over the coming years? (up to 3)
   Mobility and cycle lanes · Green spaces and environment · Safety · Housing · Support for older people · Youth and leisure · Local shops and jobs · Online services
2. Any idea or suggestion for the town?