RSVP - Residents Survey Panel

Recruitment of 18 to 24 year olds

Residents aged between 18 and 24 are currently underrepresented in our Panel. It is very important that we collect information from a cross section of the community so that the Council is kept informed of the opinions, needs and aspirations of all residents.

If you live in Chester, are aged between 18 and 24 and are interested in joining the Residents Survey Panel  please complete the form below.

• 18-24 RSVP Recruitment Survey (pdf)

What is the Residents Survey Panel?

The Residents Survey Panel is made up of a cross section of local people who agree to complete three to four postal surveys per year, for a maximum of three years.  Panel members might also be invited to participate in other research from time-to-time.

Why have a Residents Survey Panel?

Increasingly, organisations such as Chester City Council have a duty to consult the public about the services they provide.  Having a cross-section of the public already willing to respond to surveys is a cost-effective way of finding out what residents think about particular issues.  The information provided by the Residents Survey Panel is used by Service Managers, Elected Members and, where appropriate, other organisations to inform decision-making.  By seeking the views of residents in this way, the Council is better able to target resources and develop services that meet the needs of local people.

How are people selected to join the Residents Survey Panel?

The Residents Survey Panel was first set up in November 2001.  During this initial stage, 5,000 residents were selected at random from the Electoral Register and invited to take part in the Panel.  Of those invited, 1,500 accepted the invitation.  To ensure that the Panel represents a cross-section of views, participants have been asked to complete a short questionnaire about themselves.  This information can be used to ensure that the Panel comprises:

• people from a range of age groups
• people living across the whole of the Chester area 
• the correct proportions of males and females
• the correct proportions of people that are working and not working.

All information provided by Panel members is treated in the strictest confidence and is held in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

Additional Panel Recruitment

Some people inevitably leave the Residents Survey Panel, for example, if they move away.  Also, research shows that people who are members of a Panel for any length of time start to become attuned to the workings of the Council, which may shape their views.  Therefore, it is necessary to recruit new members from time-to-time to maintain numbers and ensure that the Panel stays reasonably 'typical' of the local population. 

Additional recruitment is undertaken every year during November-December.  This involves writing to residents, selected at random and inviting them to join.  The sample is drawn from a Post Office Address File, which is a list of postal addresses available from the Royal Mail.  Some existing Panel members will have also been on the Panel for their allotted time and will be replaced by new members.

Surveys undertaken so far

For a full list of all surveys undertaken so far please see our 'Publications page'

The Research Publications page