Public confidence grows as financial pressures persist

Survation was commissioned by APSE to undertake polling of both councillors and residents, examining perceptions of council services, financial sustainability, trust in institutions and expectations for the future. The councillor survey was conducted online between 5–18 November 2025, gathering responses from 504 elected councillors across the UK. This was complemented by a nationally representative public survey of 2,361 adults, conducted between 29 October and 12 November 2025.

The findings were first launched at the APSE Performance Networks Seminar in Blackpool in December 2025, where Damian Lyons Lowe, Chief Executive of Survation, presented the results

Financial outlook improves 

While concern about long-term financial sustainability remains widespread, the 2026 polling suggests a modest improvement in outlook. Just over one quarter of councillors (26%) now believe it is very likely or likely their council will issue a Section 114 notice (or Section 95 in Scotland) within the next five years. This represents a notable fall from over one third (34%) in the previous year.

Although this shift should be treated cautiously, it may reflect councils’ ongoing efforts to manage extreme pressures, alongside tentative signs of stabilisation in some areas.

Welcoming communities - but a 'listening gap'

The polling paints a positive picture of community cohesion. Almost two thirds of the public (62%) say their local area feels welcoming, and the same proportion believe people from different backgrounds generally get on well. Around one third rate cohesion in their area very highly.

However, this sits alongside weaker perceptions of influence and voice. Fewer than half of respondents (46%) agree that councils take account of views from all parts of the community, with only 23% strongly agreeing. Meanwhile, 38% actively disagree that councils listen to all voices.

This “listening gap” presents a significant challenge, particularly as councils navigate complex national policy impacts locally while seeking to maintain public confidence.

Rising satisfaction with local services

One of the most striking findings is the increase in public satisfaction across a wide range of council services. Ratings have improved year on-year for many high-profile, everyday services:

• 50% rate waste and recycling services as 8–10, up nine percentage points from 2024

• 48% rate parks services as 8–10, with almost half of residents visiting parks weekly

• 40% rate leisure and sports facilities highly, up ten points

Street cleaning and road maintenance have also seen notable improvements.

Overall, there has been a five-point increase in residents saying services in their area have improved, reversing declines seen in previous years.

Strong support for local control and investment 

Support for greater local control of funding remains overwhelming. Sixty-one per cent of respondents believe not enough of their tax is spent locally, a nine-point increase on last year. Three quarters of the public would prefer central government to give more money to councils to spend locally, with only 3% favouring further centralisation.

When asked how additional funding should be spent, residents prioritised highly visible services: road maintenance, waste and recycling, affordable housing and social care.

Trust in local councils remains high 

Perhaps most striking is the continued strength of trust in local government. Half of the public trust councils most to make decisions about local services, compared with around one in ten who trust MPs and just 6% who trust government ministers. Councils are also far more trusted than central government to deliver services effectively in local areas.

This trust provides a strong democratic mandate for councils to lead on service delivery, prevention and long-term investment in communities.

APSE comment 

This year’s polling offers welcome reassurance for the sector. Public satisfaction with services is rising and fewer councillors expect financial failure, despite sustained pressure.

However, the findings also underline ongoing risks. Many residents do not feel consistently heard, and the disconnect between public priorities—such as road maintenance—and statutory spending pressures like social care remains stark. The results also highlight the importance of translating economic growth into tangible local outcomes that residents can see and feel.

As councils continue to navigate unprecedented challenges, the polling reinforces a simple truth: frontline local services matter deeply to communities, and local government remains one of the most trusted parts of the public sector. 

Read Damian Lyons Lowe’s presentation on the findings of the poll from the APSE Performance Networks Seminar 2025.