1. Merton ALG Residents Survey 2006/07 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION LONDON DATA UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 8 th JANUARY 2007

2. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Issues of concern Image of the council Service delivery User perceptions Extra Questions 2006 Discrimination, tackling racism and social cohesion Crime, anti-social behaviour and drugs Respect Community Activity Extra questions for residents aged over 50 Young peoples survey ISSUES COVERED

3. Merton Residents Survey 2006 1061 interviews conducted in home and in street Fieldwork conducted 17 July – 8 August 2006 2005: 2 – 25 September 2005 2004: 10 November – 7 December 2004 Representative quota sample Quotas set on gender, ethnic origin, age, working status of women and housing tenure, set to 2001 Census 88 sampling points across the borough METHODOLOGY

4. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Men Women 18-34 35-59 60+ Owner Occupier /Other Council Rented SETACHIEVEDNumber % 4946489 5154572 3631325 4248514 2221222 9192978 9 7 77 } SAMPLE PROFILE Base: All Merton residents (1061)

5. Merton Residents Survey 2006 SET %ACH %ACH NO. ETHNICITY White 75 794 Mixed Black 25 264 Asian Other Base: All Merton residents (1061) SAMPLE PROFILE

6. Areas of Personal Concern

7. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Base: All Merton residents (1061) Change from 2005 *Sig 0 +1 -3 -6* -2 +5* 0 +3* +1 +3* +1 AREAS OF PERSONAL CONCERN Merton 2006

8. Merton Residents Survey 2006 UP:% Lack of affordable housing+5 Not enough for elderly+3 Public transport+3 DOWN Litter / dirt- 6 CHANGES IN AREAS OF CONCERN SINCE 2005

9. Merton Residents Survey 2006 MAIN ISSUES OF PERSONAL CONCERN 1995 - 2006 Base: All Merton residents Traffic Crime Council tax Litter

10. Merton Residents Survey 2006 CONCERNS OF ‘AB’ RESIDENTS All AB C1 C2 DE Base: All Merton residents (1061)

11. Merton Residents Survey 2006 CONCERNS OF ‘C2DE’ RESIDENTS All AB C1 C2 DE Base: All Merton residents (1061)

12. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Base: All residents Diff to London *Sig +17* -11* +6* +8* +2 +1 -9* 0 +6* AREAS OF PERSONAL CONCERN: Merton 2006 -5* +2

13. Merton Residents Survey 2006 MORE CONCERN IN MERTON% Council Tax+17 Litter+8 Traffic+6 Recreational facilities+6 LESS CONCERN IN MERTON% Crime-11 Health Service-9 Lack of jobs-5 SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES FROM LONDON 2006

14. Image of the council

15. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Change from 2005 *Sig +2 +7* +5* +6* +4 +4+4 +1 0 Base: All Merton residents (1061) +4* -6* IMAGE OF THE COUNCIL 2006 +1 +3

16. Merton Residents Survey 2006 BETTER:% Doing a good job+7 Efficient & well run+6 Difficult to phone - 6 Better place to live+5 Informs+4 WORSE: Nothing CHANGES SINCE 2005

17. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Good job Efficient OVERALL PERCEPTIONS OF MERTON Saying Great Deal / Some Extent Base: All Merton residents VFM

18. Merton Residents Survey 2006 DOING A GOOD JOB Highest 2004/05 71 Highest 2005/06 73 Lowest 2004/05 58 Lowest 2005/06 62

19. Merton Residents Survey 2006 BETTER JOB NOW THAN YEAR AGO Highest 2005/06 52 Lowest 2004/05 38 Lowest 2005/06 37 Highest 2004/05 51

20. Merton Residents Survey 2006 VALUE FOR MONEY Highest 2004/05 41 Lowest 2004/05 33 Lowest 2005/06 31 Highest 2005/06 43

21. Merton Residents Survey 2006 EFFICIENT AND WELL RUN Highest 2005/06 63 Lowest 2005/06 44 Lowest 2004/05 41 Highest 2004/05 62

22. Merton Residents Survey 2006 KEEPS RESIDENTS INFORMED Highest 2005/06 72 Highest 2004/05 73 Lowest 2004/05 47 Lowest 2005/06 53

23. Merton Residents Survey 2006 LISTENS TO CONCERNS Lowest 2005/06 39 Lowest 2004/05 39 Highest 2004/05 54 Highest 2005/06 59

24. Merton Residents Survey 2006 INVOLVES RESIDENTS IN DECISION MAKING Lowest 2005/06 39 Highest 2005/06 51 Highest 2004/05 48 Lowest 2004/05 36

25. Merton Residents Survey 2006 STAFF FRIENDLY AND POLITE Highest 2005/06 77 Lowest 2005/06 66 Lowest 2004/05 60 Highest 2004/05 78

26. Merton Residents Survey 2006 RESPONDS QUICKLY WHEN ASKED Highest 2005/06 53 Lowest 2005/06 41 Lowest 2004/05 38 Highest 2004/05 50

27. Merton Residents Survey 2006 MAKING AREA BETTER PLACE TO LIVE Highest 2005/06 69 Lowest 2005/06 51 Lowest 2004/05 52 Highest 2004/05 68

28. Merton Residents Survey 2006 DOES NOT DO ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME Lowest 2005/06 39 Lowest 2004/05 36 Highest 2004/05 51 Highest 2005/06 47

29. Merton Residents Survey 2006 DIFFICULT TO CONTACT BY PHONE Highest 2005/06 50 Lowest 2004/05 35 Highest 2004/05 48 Lowest 2005/06 35

30. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Diff to London *Sig +8* -2 Base: All residents IMAGE OF THE COUNCIL 2006 Merton Vs London +2 -3 +1 +2 +1 -6* +1 -2

31. Merton Residents Survey 2006 BETTER THAN LONDON:% Staff friendly+8 WORSE THAN LONDON: Value for money -6 IMAGE OF THE COUNCIL 2006 Merton Vs London

32. Service Delivery

33. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Base: All respondents (1061) PERCEIVED SERVICE DELIVERY Merton 2006 Change since 2005 +3 +7* +2 0 +7* +8* +1 +6* +2 +7* +3 +5* +2 +4* +5* +2 +3* +2 +5* +4 Refuse collection Street lighting Recycling facilities Coll. council tax Public transport Libraries Parks etc. Health services Street cleaning Policing Leisure facilities Primary education Fly tip removal Roads / pavements Adult education Nursery education Secondary educn. Social services Youth services Housing benefit Council housing *Sig

34. Merton Residents Survey 2006 BETTER:% Parks etc.+8 Street lighting +7 Libraries+7 Primary education +7 Street cleaning+6 Secondary education+5 Roads / pavements+5 Social services+5 Nursery education+4 Housing benefit+3 WORSE: Nothing SIGNIFICANT CHANGES SINCE 2005

35. Merton Residents Survey 2006 REFUSE COLLECTION Highest 2005/06 82 Lowest 2004/05 64 Lowest 2005/06 64 Highest 2004/05 87

36. Merton Residents Survey 2006 RECYCLING Highest 2004/05 75 Lowest 2004/05 39 Highest 2005/06 73 Lowest 2005/06 53

37. Merton Residents Survey 2006 STREET CLEANING Highest 2004/05 65 Lowest 2004/05 40 Highest 2005/06 69 Lowest 2005/06 43

38. Merton Residents Survey 2006 STREET LIGHTING Highest 2004/05 72 Lowest 2004/05 56 Highest 2005/06 69 Lowest 2005/06 56

39. Merton Residents Survey 2006 ROAD AND PAVEMENT REPAIR Highest 2005/06 47 Lowest 2005/06 27 Highest 2004/05 47 Lowest 2004/05 29

40. Merton Residents Survey 2006 NURSERY EDUCATION Highest 2005/06 39 Lowest 2005/06 21 Lowest 2004/05 20 Highest 2004/05 45

41. Merton Residents Survey 2006 PRIMARY EDUCATION Highest 2004/05 46 Lowest 2005/06 27 Lowest 2004/05 26 Highest 2005/06 47

42. Merton Residents Survey 2006 SECONDARY EDUCATION Highest 2004/05 43 Lowest 2004/05 19 Lowest 2005/06 19 Highest 2005/06 39

43. Merton Residents Survey 2006 ADULT EDUCATION / EVENING CLASSES Highest 2005/06 42 Highest 2004/05 42 Lowest 2004/05 24 Lowest 2005/06 25

44. Merton Residents Survey 2006 LIBRARIES Highest 2004/05 65 Lowest 2004/05 48 Lowest 2005/06 50 Highest 2005/06 67

45. Merton Residents Survey 2006 PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS, OPEN SPACES Highest 2005/06 57 Lowest 2004/05 39 Highest 2004/05 53 Lowest 2005/06 46

46. Merton Residents Survey 2006 LEISURE AND SPORTS FACILITIES Highest 2005/06 57 Lowest 2004/05 30 Lowest 2005/06 32 Highest 2004/05 53

47. Merton Residents Survey 2006 COLLECTION OF COUNCIL TAX Highest 2005/06 68 Lowest 2004/05 49 Lowest 2005/06 49 Highest 2004/05 64

48. Merton Residents Survey 2006 COUNCIL HOUSING Highest 2004/05 32 Lowest 2005/06 10 Highest 2005/06 31 Lowest 2004/05 12

49. Merton Residents Survey 2006 HOUSING BENEFIT Highest 2004/05 33 Lowest 2004/05 14 Highest 2005/06 35 Lowest 2005/06 11

50. Merton Residents Survey 2006 SOCIAL SERVICES Highest 2004/05 38 Lowest 2005/06 16 Lowest 2004/05 18 Highest 2005/06 32

51. Merton Residents Survey 2006 LOCAL HEALTH SERVICE Highest 2005/06 61 Highest 2004/05 59 Lowest 2004/05 42 Lowest 2005/06 46

52. Merton Residents Survey 2006 POLICING Highest 2004/05 46 Highest 2005/06 52 Lowest 2004/05 33 Lowest 2005/06 36

53. Merton Residents Survey 2006 PUBLIC TRANSPORT Highest 2004/05 65 Highest 2005/06 67 Lowest 2004/05 48 Lowest 2005/06 58

54. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Base: All respondents PERCEIVED SERVICE DELIVERY Merton vs. London 2006 -3 +3 -3 0 n/a -5* +1 n/a -2 0 -9* -6* n/a -3 Refuse collection Street lighting Recycling facilities Coll. council tax Public transport Libraries Parks etc. Health services Street cleaning Policing Leisure facilities Primary education Fly tip removal Roads / pavements Adult education Nursery education Secondary educn. Social services Youth services Housing benefit Council housing *Sig Diff. to London

55. Merton Residents Survey 2006 MERTON BETTER THAN LONDON:% Nothing MERTON WORSE THAN LONDON: Secondary education- 9 Housing benefit- 6 Council housing - 6 Street cleaning- 5 DIFFERENCES FROM LONDON 2005

56. User trends

57. Merton Residents Survey 2006 % NURSERY EDUCATION Total 2006 COUNCIL HOUSING Total 2005 Users 2006 (86) Tenants 2005 (77) OPINION OF SERVICES Users vs. Non-Users

58. Merton Residents Survey 2006 London Merton NURSERY EDUCATION (UNDER 5’S) - USERS % saying Good - Excellent

59. Merton Residents Survey 2006 London Merton PRIMARY EDUCATION - USERS % saying Good - Excellent

60. Merton Residents Survey 2006 London Merton SECONDARY EDUCATION - USERS % saying Good - Excellent

61. Merton Residents Survey 2006 London Merton EVENING CLASSES / ADULT EDUCATION - USERS % saying Good - Excellent

62. Merton Residents Survey 2006 London Merton COUNCIL HOUSING - TENANTS % saying Good - Excellent

63. Merton Residents Survey 2006 London Merton HOUSING BENEFIT - USERS % saying Good - Excellent

64. Merton Residents Survey 2006 London Merton SOCIAL SERVICES - USERS % saying Good - Excellent

65. Merton Residents Survey 2006 London Merton PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS & OPEN SPACES - USERS % saying Good - Excellent

66. Merton Residents Survey 2006 London Merton LIBRARIES - USERS % saying Good - Excellent

67. Merton Residents Survey 2006 London Merton LEISURE AND SPORT FACILITIES - USERS % saying Good - Excellent

68. Merton Residents Survey 2006 London Merton RECYCLING - USERS % saying Good - Excellent

69. Merton Residents Survey 2006 *Sig CHANGES SINCE 2005-6 Summary

70. Merton Residents Survey 2006 London Merton Diff. Recycling7271-1 Parks6664-2 Nursery64 69 +5 Primary6870+2 Secondary5450-4 Adult educ. 7469 -5 Leisure 5651-5 Libraries8071-9* Council housing3738+1 Housing benefit5851-7 * Sig MERTON VS LONDON USERS 2006 those saying Good - Excellent

71. Merton Extra Questions

72. Discrimination, tackling racism and social cohesion

73. Merton Residents Survey 2006 DOES MERTON COUNCIL TREAT PEOPLE IN A FAIR AND NON-DISCRIMINATORY WAY? 54% Agree/strongly agree Base: All Merton residents

74. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Merton IS MERTON A COUNCIL THAT TACKLES RACISM? 40% say Yes in 2006/07

75. Merton Residents Survey 2006 IS MERTON A COUNICIL THAT TACKLES RACISM OR NOT? By ethnicity Base: All Merton Residents (1061)

76. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Is the local area a place where people of different backgrounds get on together? 84% say yes Base: All Merton Residents

77. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Is the local area a place where people of different backgrounds get on together? By ethnicity Base: All Merton residents (1061)

78. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Crime, Anti-social behavior and Drugs

79. Merton Residents Survey 2006 HOW WORRIED ARE YOU ABOUT CRIME? Base: All Merton Residents

80. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Worry about crime has decreased, especially among Dundonald / Trinity / Abbey residents Base: All Merton residents 1: Village/ Hillside/ Raynes Park/ Wimbledon Park 2: Dundonald/ Trinity/ Abbey 3: Cannon Hill/ Merton Park/ West Barnes/ Lower Morden 4: Lavender Fields/ Pollards Hill/ Figges Marsh 5: Ravensbury/ St Helier/ Cricket Green 6: Colliers Wood/ Graveney/ Longthornton % Fairly / very worried about crime (2005/06 avg 67%) (2006/07 avg 65%)

81. Merton Residents Survey 2006 HOW WORRIED ARE YOU ABOUT ANTI- SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR? Base: All Merton Residents

82. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Changes in worry about anti-social behaviour has varied according to area % Fairly / very worried about anti-social behaviour (2005/06 avg 66%) (2006/07 avg 65%) Base: All Merton residents 1: Village/ Hillside/ Raynes Park/ Wimbledon Park 2: Dundonald/ Trinity/ Abbey 3: Cannon Hill/ Merton Park/ West Barnes/ Lower Morden 4: Lavender Fields/ Pollards Hill/ Figges Marsh 5: Ravensbury/ St Helier/ Cricket Green 6: Colliers Wood/ Graveney/ Longthornton

83. Merton Residents Survey 2006 HOW WORRIED ARE YOU ABOUT DRUG USERS IN YOUR AREA? Base: All Merton Residents

84. Merton Residents Survey 2006 There is still a larger gap in worry about drugs between areas 1/2/3 and 4/5/6, than for crime and ASB % Fairly / very worried about drug users (2005/06 avg 43%) (2006/07 avg 45%) Base: All Merton residents 1: Village/ Hillside/ Raynes Park/ Wimbledon Park 2: Dundonald/ Trinity/ Abbey 3: Cannon Hill/ Merton Park/ West Barnes/ Lower Morden 4: Lavender Fields/ Pollards Hill/ Figges Marsh 5: Ravensbury/ St Helier/ Cricket Green 6: Colliers Wood/ Graveney/ Longthornton

85. Respect

86. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Do you agree that people in your local area treat you with respect and consideration? 89% agree Base: All Merton Residents (1061)

87. Merton Residents Survey 2006 More respondents in Areas 2, 3 & 5 felt that they were treated with respect and consideration by people in their local area. % Definitely / tend to agree (avg 89%) Base: All Merton residents (1061) 1: Village/ Hillside/ Raynes Park/ Wimbledon Park 2: Dundonald/ Trinity/ Abbey 3: Cannon Hill/ Merton Park/ West Barnes/ Lower Morden 4: Lavender Fields/ Pollards Hill/ Figges Marsh 5: Ravensbury/ St Helier/ Cricket Green 6: Colliers Wood/ Graveney/ Longthornton

88. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Do you agree that parents in your local area are made to take responsibility for the behaviour of their children? 58% agree Base: All Merton Residents (1061)

89. Merton Residents Survey 2006 More respondents in Areas 1 & 4 felt that parents in their local area were made to take responsibility for the behaviour of their children. % Definitely / tend to agree (avg 58%) Base: All Merton residents (1061) 1: Village/ Hillside/ Raynes Park/ Wimbledon Park 2: Dundonald/ Trinity/ Abbey 3: Cannon Hill/ Merton Park/ West Barnes/ Lower Morden 4: Lavender Fields/ Pollards Hill/ Figges Marsh 5: Ravensbury/ St Helier/ Cricket Green 6: Colliers Wood/ Graveney/ Longthornton

90. Community Activity

91. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Do you agree or disagree that you can influence decisions affecting your local area? 51% Agree / strongly agree Base: All Merton residents (1061)

92. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Have you engaged in formal volunteering for two hours a week or more over the past year? 16% say yes Base: All Merton Residents (1061)

93. Extra Questions for residents aged over 50

94. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Do you know about the Celebrating Age Festival for 50+ people in Merton? 18% say yes Base: Merton Residents aged 50+ (373)

95. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Which of these are you personally most concerned about? Base: Merton Residents aged 50+ (373)

96. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Which of these are you personally most concerned about? By age Base: Merton Residents aged 50+ (373)

97. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Do you know about the Care Connect service in Merton? Base: Merton Residents aged 50+ (373) Would you know what local services to contact for help if everyday life became too difficult?

98. Merton Residents Survey 2006 What is your opinion of health and personal social care services in Merton (e.g. chiropody, dental care)? 43% say excellent / very good / good Base: Merton Residents aged 50+ (373)

99. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Do you belong to any older people or community groups? 16% say yes Base: Merton Residents aged 50+ (373)

100. Merton Residents Survey 2006 How often do you take regular exercise (e.g. walking shopping, cycling etc)? Base: Merton Residents aged 50+ (373)

101. Merton Residents Survey 2006 How safe or unsafe do you feel when outside in your neighbourhood…? Base: Merton Residents aged 50+ (373)

102. Merton Residents Survey 2006 How safe or unsafe do you feel when outside in your neighbourhood during the day? By area % Very safe / Fairly safe (avg 89%) Base: Merton residents aged 50+ (373) 1: Village/ Hillside/ Raynes Park/ Wimbledon Park 2: Dundonald/ Trinity/ Abbey 3: Cannon Hill/ Merton Park/ West Barnes/ Lower Morden 4: Lavender Fields/ Pollards Hill/ Figges Marsh 5: Ravensbury/ St Helier/ Cricket Green 6: Colliers Wood/ Graveney/ Longthornton

103. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Base: Merton residents aged 50+ (373) 1: Village/ Hillside/ Raynes Park/ Wimbledon Park 2: Dundonald/ Trinity/ Abbey 3: Cannon Hill/ Merton Park/ West Barnes/ Lower Morden 4: Lavender Fields/ Pollards Hill/ Figges Marsh 5: Ravensbury/ St Helier/ Cricket Green 6: Colliers Wood/ Graveney/ Longthornton How safe or unsafe do you feel when outside in your neighbourhood after dark? By area % Very safe / Fairly safe (avg 51%)

104. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Do you think that the libraries do enough for older people? 47% say yes Base: Merton Residents aged 50+ (373)

105. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Have you visited a library in the last three months to use…? Base: Merton Residents aged 50+ (373)

106. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Young Persons Survey

107. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Areas of personal concern – Young people Concern over Bullying, Bad behaviour and Drugs has decreased. Concern about pollution has increased Base: All Merton residents 11-17yrs (245) %

108. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Areas of personal concern – Social grade Young people in AB households are more concerned about litter & environment; DE more concerned about bullying & bad behaviour Base: All Merton residents 11-17yrs (245) %

109. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Public Transport Crime Concern about crime and public transport tends to increase and concern about bullying decreases with age Bullying Base: All Merton residents 11-17yrs (245) %

110. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Image of the council – Young people % Saying Great Deal / Some Extent Base: All Merton residents 11-17yrs (245) %

111. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Image of the council – Young people % Saying Great Deal / Some Extent Base: All Merton residents 11-17yrs %

112. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Base: All Merton residents 11-17yrs (245) Perceived service delivery – Young people Difference from 2005/6 +12* +3 +1 +3 +6 +2 +3 +1 +4 +5 +1 +4 Arts & culture Recycling facilities Public transport Libraries Parks etc. Health services Street cleaning Policing Leisure facilities Primary education Roads / pavements Sixth form colleges Secondary educn. Social services Youth services *Sig

113. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Base: All Merton residents 11-17yrs (245) Perceived service delivery – Young people Difference from London +2 +7 -8 -3 -2 +7 +5 n/a -6 -3 +2 -9* -10* -5 Arts & culture Recycling facilities Public transport Libraries Parks etc. Health services Street cleaning Policing Leisure facilities Primary education Roads / pavements Sixth form colleges Secondary educn. Social services Youth services *Sig

114. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Young people and political involvement What young people have done, or might consider doing Base: All Merton Residents 11-17yrs (245)

115. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Out of school activities attended 67% engage in at least one activity, with sports/gym most popular Base: All Merton residents 11-17yrs % Male 52% Female 26% Male 15% Female 25%

116. Merton Residents Survey 2006 Out of school activities young people would like to attend 96% would like to attend at least one. Sport / friends most popular; place to do homework least popular Base: All Merton residents 11-17yrs (245) % Male 63% Female 34% Male 21% Female 39%

117. Summary Summary

118. Merton Residents Survey 2006 SUMMARY - ISSUES Council tax remains the number one issue in Merton, though concern about crime is not far behind. Concern about litter has fallen this year and is now the fourth biggest area of concern in Merton. Concern over affordable housing, services for the elderly and public transport have also risen in the past year.

119. Merton Residents Survey 2006 SUMMARY - IMAGE Following a decline in the last two years, the percentage of people saying the Council does a “good job” increased significantly this year Ratings improved for Council staff being efficient & well run, making the local area a better place to live and keeping residents informed There were no significant declines in any aspects of the council’s image.

120. Merton Residents Survey 2006 SUMMARY - SERVICES Educational services for all ages, from nurseries to evening classes, improved this year. Facilities in parks, libraries, street lighting and street cleaning were also seen to have improved considerably in the last 12 months. Among users, all aspects of council services showed an improvement over the past year.

121. Merton Residents Survey 2006 SUMMARY – Other local issues Worry about crime and anti-social behaviour in Merton had decreased a little. 89% of respondents felt that people in their local area treated them with respect and consideration. Attitudes towards the Council’s policy towards discrimination, race and social cohesion had not changed much over the past year. Half of respondents felt that they were able to influence decisions affecting their local area.

122. Merton Residents Survey 2006 SUMMARY – Issues for older residents 18% of respondents aged over 50 had heard of the Celebrating Age Festival for 50+ people in Merton They were most concerned about personal safety and pension provision. 89% felt safe outside in their neighbourhood during the day; 51% felt safe outside in their neighbourhood after dark. Just under half of older respondents were happy with library services or health and personal social care services in Merton.

123. Merton Residents Survey 2006 SUMMARY – Young people Crime is the main area of concern among young people in Merton. Concern over bullying, bad behaviour and drug users / pushers had declined in the past year. Over the past 12 months, an increased proportion of young people felt that the Council does enough to protect them, though they felt that the Council could be doing more to keep them informed Young people saw improvements over all aspects of Council service delivery, particularly in the delivery of local park services. Two thirds of young people engage in at least one out of school activity, with sports/ gym being the most popular, particularly among boys. Dance/ drama/ music is the second most popular activity, but more so among girls than boys. 96% of young people would like to attend at least one out of school activity.