RISING levels of council tax have been blamed for a growth in the number of people dissatisfied with the Borough of Poole.

In 2001 a residents' survey showed 68 per cent were satisfied with the Borough of Poole and in 2003 this dropped to 53 per cent.

The council, which has launched a new direction called Striving for Excellence, says this is in keeping with a national decline in satisfaction, linked with rising levels of council tax.

"The Audit Commission has said that we are a good council - not far off being excellent," said Cllr Brian Leverett, council leader.

"The survey shows that many of our services are performing in the top 25 per cent of all local authorities; however it also highlights areas where improvements are needed.

"Despite low levels of government funding, our drive for efficiency and our determination to keep the council tax under control, we are determined to do better to change perceptions and be considered excellent - Poole deserves nothing less."

Three thousand Poole residents were selected at random to take part in the 2003 survey, carried out by all councils to compare performance across the country.

Comparisons with national results from the government show that waste collection, libraries, parks and open spaces, the Waterfront Museum and Lighthouse are excellent services, performing well above the national average, says the council.

Chief executive John McBride said: "Striving for excellence links directly to local people's expectations. We recognise that delivering it right every time will be an extremely difficult target, but it is a target for every one of our services.

"With the new direction, clear long-term priorities and five-step change projects to deliver it, the building blocks are already in place to achieve the excellence in our services that local people deserve and expect," he said.

First published: August 13