New survey is slammed

A Stirling Council survey asking locals their opinions on everything from road repairs to street lighting has been described as “pointless”.

Leader of the opposition group, Tory councillor Neil Benny criticised the survey, which was launched on Friday and runs for four weeks.

It invites Stirling residents to have their say on a range of council services.

Council leader, Councillor Scott Farmer (SNP), said: “This is an excellent chance for the public to give us their views on the services and facilities the council provides. We want to capture what we’re doing well and where we can improve and it’s vital the public are at the centre of that.

“If there has ever been a time where you’ve been delighted with improvements we’ve made, or maybe you felt our standards weren’t up to scratch, now is the time to tell us, and this is the way to do it.”

Depute councillor leader, Labour councillor Danny Gibson, added: “This survey will be an important way of communicating with the people we are accountable to.

“If we can gather the views of the public and let our residents influence our decision-making, we can narrow the gap between what our services deliver and what the people who use them actually want. Engagement is key and I’d ask everyone to fill out the survey.”

Councillor Benny, however, was far less enthusiastic.

He said: “While Stirling has an SNP controlled council with no sign of leadership or vision I am afraid this survey is rather pointless. The council leader is out of his depth, the opportunity of the City Region Deal is being squandered, no new jobs have been created, we see crime rising in our community and regeneration stalled.

“Why isn’t there a question asking if councillors should spend public money on attending events and junkets?”

Copies of the 2019 survey are available at council libraries or Customer First. It will take 15-20 minutes to complete.

The survey can also be completed online at: https://www.surveymonkey. co.uk/r/LTQNTM2