THE leader of Castle Point Council is "disappointed" after less than 1 per cent of residents responded to the authority's annual survey.

Despite the poor response rate - 149 replies out of more than 36,000 homes - the council has claimed the results show it is "on the right track".

The survey was sent to every household in the borough with the autumn edition of Castle Point council's newsletter.

Results were published last month, where the council trumpeted a 5 per cent increase - equivalent to seven people - in people feeling safe or very safe in the area.

However, council leader Pam Challis said the priorities shown in the survey - such as street cleaning, feeling safer and protecting the green belt - were being supported by the public through other means of consultation, like focus groups.

She added: "It is disappointing.

"I think what we are seeing is because we are doing the survey annually, the number of people responding is getting less and less.

"I think we perhaps need to have a fresh look at how we do it."

She revealed the council is looking at offering residents the opportunity to take an electronic questionnaire, as well as including the forms in the borough news when the survey is repeated later this year. However, others feel the statistics are worthless.

Brian Wilson, Labour councillor for St Mary's ward in Benfleet, said: "It is questionable whether the results mean very much. We must find a better way of consulting."

He added that three quarters of the respondents were over 50 years old, compared to 39 per cent of the general population, making the survey less representative of the general population.

Canvey Independent councillor Neville Watson said: "The Castle Point Borough News is not worth the paper it is printed on.

"Of course people should make more of an effort, but if the vehicle you are using is not working, which as a consultation document the Borough News clearly is not, then you have got to find another way to reach out to people."

However, councillor Brian Wilson said: "Castle Point Council are doing what is required of them. If people haven't responded they deserve what governance they get."