Council Surveys

A council survey is a research method used by local governments to gather feedback from residents about council services, facilities and community priorities. It helps councils understand how well they are meeting community needs and where improvements can be made.

A resident satisfaction survey measures how satisfied people are with the services and support provided by their local council, including areas such as waste collection, parks, community programs and communication. The results give councils clear insights into what is working well and what may need improvement.

The ideal sample size depends on the population size, confidence level and margin of error. As a general guide, for a large population, 500 responses give reliable results with a 95% confidence level and a ±4.5% margin of error. Smaller populations need fewer responses, while studies requiring greater accuracy or subgroup analysis need larger samples.

Sampling error is the small difference that can occur between the survey results from a sample of people and the results you would get if you asked everyone in the population. It happens because only a portion of the population is surveyed.

A confidence interval shows how precise the survey results are. For example, if satisfaction is 80% with a 95% confidence interval of ±4%, you can be confident the true result for the whole population is between 76% and 84%.

Accurate results come from using sound research design, representative sampling and reliable data collection methods. Taverner Research applies strict quality controls at every stage, from questionnaire design to interviewer training and data validation, to ensure findings reflect the views of your target audience.

To achieve representative results, it is important to use a well-designed sampling plan that reflects the makeup of the community. This includes balancing factors such as age, gender, location and household type. Taverner Research uses proven sampling methods and quality controls to make sure every group has a voice and the findings accurately reflect community sentiment.

Taverner Research works in partnership with every client to deliver insights in a clear and practical way. We provide detailed reports, visual summaries and presentations that highlight what matters most to your organisation.

Before each project, we review past research to plan a more effective approach and reduce unnecessary complexity and cost. You’ll work directly with experienced researchers who stay closely involved throughout the process, offering a proactive and personalised experience. Clients often tell us they value how easy and enjoyable we are to work with.