Satisfaction with Sutton Council has dipped to its lowest level since 1987 the year after the Liberal Democrats took power in the borough with elections fewer than six months away.

And the council has admitted the wheelie bin effect' is one of the main reasons behind its declining popularity, following the publication of the biennial Mori poll of residents' views this week.

The council commissioned survey of around 1,000 residents in September and October put satisfaction with the local authority at 70 per cent, seven points down on 1999, and a drop of 13 per cent since 1995.

And the number of residents dissatisfied with the local authority has doubled from nine to 18 per cent in the past two years.

It is the Lib Dems' worst performance since their 67 per cent showing in 1987, the year after they wrested control of the council from the Tories.

Though most services' popularity had held up well and some improved, faith in waste management nose-dived by a quarter, from 79 per cent in 1999 to 54 per cent this time.

And with the next local elections set to take place in May 2002, the figures called in to question the safety of the Lib Dems' 36-seat majority in the council chamber when residents go to the polls.

That was certainly the view of Tory chief Councillor Graham Whitham. He said: "They've been in for 16 years and they are back where they started. They said the 1987 figure was all to do with Tory mismanagement but if the borough was in a bad state then, it's in a bad state now."

Labour leader Councillor Charlie Mansell said: "The 1987 survey was done when many people were still dissatisfied after 53 years of Tory control. This more than anything shows how much the popularity of the council has declined.

"However it is not really surprising when the council has spent two years causing problems for local residents with its wheelie bin policy."

The council claimed its declining popularity was part of a national trend and Sutton compared well with other authorities that had commissioned Mori polls.

It also pointed to some of its success stories, notably the library service, which went up in residents' estimation from 79 to 84 per cent.

But authority boss Councillor Mike Cooper said: "I have no doubt that the problems and negative publicity we have encountered with waste management have had a direct impact on residents' overall view of the council."

December 6, 2001 09:31