RESIDENTS can let the council know how they feel about the local area and the Darlington Borough Council's services in a random survey being conducted over the next few weeks.

A small, representative, randomly-selected number of people across the borough will receive a copy of the survey over the next few weeks – while others will be asked to answer the questions on their doorstep – as part of the community survey 2018.

The survey asks for feedback on issues including satisfaction with the local area and services, community safety, the local economy; health and wellbeing, and contact with the council.

The answers will help the council find out what residents’ value most about the borough, what they think the council’s priorities should be and where they would like to see improvements made.

Anyone aged 18 or over living in a house that gets the survey can complete it and all replies should be returned as soon as possible. The survey can also be answered online using the information in the covering letter. All those who send back their surveys, and give their details, will be entered into a prize draw to win £50 of high street vouchers.

All interviewers will have an ID badge and residents unsure about the identity of someone claiming to be from NWA, which is carrying out the survey, call Freephone 0800 316 3630.

Bill Dixon, leader of the Council, said: “Anyone taking part in the survey will be helping to shape the future of our Borough and I would urge everyone who receives a copy, or who is asked to take part, to have their say.”

The council's last survey was in 2013.