MEMBERS of a town council have answered critics by publishing the results of a poll which show most people are happy with local services.
Ferryhill Town Council has released the full results of a town survey in which services were rated above the national average.
The council's Labour majority was criticised earlier this week by opposition members who accused them of ignoring local views.
But services were given an average satisfaction rate of 93 per cent by residents who responded to the questionnaire, which every household in the town was invited to complete.
Opposition members have called for urgent improvements at Dean Bank Park, but ruling members insist feasibility studies must be completed before money is spent on major work.
The town's four parks scored between 82 and 99 per cent satisfaction rates, compared with the national average of 73 per cent.
The ratings were backed up by Northumbria in Bloom judges.
Mainsforth Sports Complex won the best sports ground award and a Royal Horticultural Society gold award, and Dean Bank Park was runner-up in the park category and gained a silver gilt award.
Other highlights of the report showed Duncombe Cemetery, the E Cafe youth drop-in centre, Friday markets and the town's flower beds are popular with residents, with all rated above 90 per cent.
Council-organised events also scored highly, particularly an annual trip for older residents, the summer gala, Christmas fair and decorations and library entertainment.
At the full council meeting on Wednesday, opposition members called for a newsletter to be cut back to save money, but Labour members voted to keep it. Residents rated it at 92 per cent in terms of satisfaction.
Leader of the council, Councillor Pat McCourt, said: "Of course the town council is delighted with these results.
"While the satisfaction levels are extremely high, we will not be resting on our laurels. In particular, we have objectives this year to progress our new million pound sports complex, refurbishment of Dean Bank Park, further improvements to Duncombe Cemetery, and plans to extend our highly successful youth club, the E Cafe."
Opposition councillors questioned the strength of the survey because there were only 268 valid responses.
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