MORE than two thirds of Londoners say their council makes a positive difference in their area, according to a new survey.

A poll by London Councils to mark Local Democracy Week (12-18 October) found 68 per cent of respondents living in the capital think their borough makes a positive difference, compared to 26 per cent who do not.

See the results here. Opens in a new window

This is more than the national average of 55 per cent of people who agree their council makes a positive difference in their area compared to 35 per cent who do not.

In London, 38 per cent of people feel they have a say in the decisions made by their local council, compared to 57 per cent who feel they do not. This reflects the national picture – 37 per cent of people felt they do have a say and 56 per cent of people said they do not. People aged between 55-64 were more likely to agree (42 per cent) than young people (24 per cent).

London Councils is drawing up a best practice guide for councils ahead of the London local elections in May 2010. It aims to help them work more closely with the communities they serve.

Councillors, residents and council officers from seven London boroughs are being asked to share their experiences and the challenges they face. They are also being encouraged to suggest how a councillor’s role could be made easier.

These case studies will be included in the guidance, which is due out later this year.

London Councils’ chairman Councillor Merrick Cockell said: “It is a great endorsement to hear that two thirds of Londoners feel boroughs are doing a good job for the communities they serve.

“Councillors and councils have a major role to play in making a positive difference to people who live and work in their neighbourhoods.

“But there is always more to do to help councillors across the capital win the trust of the public in local politics and get them more involved in making the decisions which affect their daily lives.

“We want to show that by empowering individuals and communities we can achieve results on the really difficult issues facing communities.”

London Councils’ Be A Councillor campaign aimed to persuade more women, young people and those from the ethnic minorities to stand for election as councillors in the 2010 London local elections. The initiative was so successful it was rolled out nationally.

Notes to editors:

London Councils commissioned BMRB to carry out a telephone survey of 1,000 people on October 3 and 4.

For full results of the survey, visit:

See the charts for this survey. Opens in a new window

Boroughs involved in the best practice guide are: Brent, Camden, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Newham, Sutton and Waltham Forest.

For more information on Be A Councillor, visit: www.beacouncillor.org.uk