21 November (Part 2) - Survey Monkeys
Ten
or twelve years ago I was asked to join a Bexley council focus group
which was conducted by post. The council said I had been randomly selected to
give my opinion on Bexley’s plans and achievements. At the time I had a part
time job with a West End company doing the same thing so you could say I took a
professional interest. I soon found that all the questions were loaded and it
wasn’t possible to tick a box that adequately expressed a negative view. After
complaining about that a couple of times Bexley council said I wasn’t a suitable
candidate for their focus group. Things have not improved since, Bexley
council’s surveys still show every sign of being fixed. “Do you think that
council tax levels should be kept as low as possible?” A high proportion of yes
answers has been taken as agreement to all cuts and all price hikes.
Bexley council and the Conservatives are still doing surveys, they were in
Hurst Road, Bexley at the weekend asking about the level of contentment with
council services. Not perhaps the most sensible approach, descending on
residents with no warning, if thoughtful comments are required. One resident
felt pressured into saying something and expressed unhappiness with the
refuse collection. She was told that within the next month or so the green bin
is to be emptied weekly. I seriously doubt that as Bexley council has recently
announced they are sticking with the status quo. An answer to be taken just as
seriously as the results of any Bexley survey perhaps?
Another Bexley resident was approached at his door by someone threatening a
£5,000 fine for not completing the electoral register form. He asked to be shown
the statute that demanded he register and his caller knew nothing about that, no
note of its title, no leaflet providing the details. Nothing. The caller was
unable to provide any support for her claim of a £5,000 fine and was sent away
with the proverbial flea in her ear. Personally I can’t see why anyone should
object to being on the Electoral Roll and I suspect it ultimately deprives the
council of its rightful revenues from central government. On the other hand the
incident once again demonstrates Bexley council’s total lack of professionalism
and possibly it’s lack of regard for the law too. At the very least you’d expect
them to equip their representatives with the tools to do the job.
Survey Monkey ; Bexley council’s on-line
survey partner.