ONE IN FOUR RESIDENTS UNHAPPY WITH COUNCIL - IS THIS WHAT THE TORIES CALL SATISFACTION?

7.00.00am GMT Thu 18th Mar 2010

Conservatives at county hall have been criticised by the Liberal Democrats for attempting to claim that local residents are happy with the county council.

Liberal Democrat Leader Chris White said today: 'One in four people by the council's own admission are not satisfied with the way the council performs. Improvements in satisfaction have been made mainly in relatively minor services like household waste recycling centres, public transport information and the registration service or with essentially private sector services like buses. Those politicians who actually meet the public know how furious they are with the county council over roads, school places and social care.

'At least they have the honesty to tell us that half the population don't think the council provides value for money - and even then they appear to think it's good news!'

He added: 'As ever the council's spin machine - funded at taxpayers' expense - is there to flatter the image of the ruling group rather than provide genuine information.'