MALVERN householders may get the chance to air their views about the town council and its services when their council tax bills drop through their letterboxes next year.

The town council is to consider reviving its annual survey of the 12,000 households it covers in the town.

The council first conducted a survey when a questionnaire was delivered with council tax bills in 2007. Just 123 replies were received by the council that year and councillors decided to drop the idea this year in favour of including a questionnaire in the council’s newsletter.

The newsletter is distributed to 2,000 fast food outlets and public buildings, such as the library, in the town.

However, town clerk Richard Chapman is recommending to the council’s best value and scrutiny committee that a full survey of the electorate takes place in April 2009.

The council has now decided to pursue Quality Parish Status and will need to demonstrate it considers the views and requirements of the council taxpayers.

“We need to do this for Quality Parish Status. Part of the criteria for the Quality Parish accreditation is that the council should take into account the requirements and views of the electorate.

“A survey will help to understand the views and expectations of the council’s precept payers. Many councils carry out surveys on an annual basis,” said Mr Chapman.

The proposed survey, which would cost about £800, would include questions about play areas, bus shelters, playing fields, allotments and Christmas events. It will also give people an opportunity to say what they think about the town council and its services as well as wider issues such as policing and bus services.

The best value and scrutiny committee meets on Tuesday, September 2, to discuss the issue.