Are Carnoustie folk really the unhappiest in Angus?
A Carnoustie councillor says he is not surprised residents are reported to be the unhappiest in Angus.
- By Graeme Strachan and Richard Watt
- Published in the Courier : 02.02.12
- Published online : 04.02.12 @ 11.09am
Brian Boyd claims the burgh is being unfairly treated in comparison to other towns by Angus Council.
He was speaking after a 'happiness survey' of Angus people found folk in Carnoustie were least likely (25%) in the county to be ''very satisfied'' with the quality of life in their neighbourhood.
Some surprising figures also emerged in relation to the ''built'' and natural environment of the eight wards.
The people of Carnoustie and district, home to the world-famous golf course, an abbey and historic mill, were least likely to be very satisfied with the town's buildings (20%) and natural surroundings (27%).
Mr Boyd said: ''While council staff have worked hard to improve the life for all of us it is disappointing that the quality of life is so uneven between the burghs.
''I note that Carnoustie by far has the lowest proportion of people who are very satisfied. After decades of Carnoustie being at the bottom of the council investment pile it should not surprise anyone that we are most dissatisfied.''
Mr Boyd highlighted that Carnoustie was the only burgh which did not get every single penny asked for in the latest round of community grants.
He previously highlighted a spending inequality after obtaining figures showing the town had the lowest average spend per person in Angus each year since 1996.
''This correlation must change — let's hope my fellow councillors will work for a fairer Angus in coming budgets,'' Mr Boyd added.
Carnoustie councillor Helen Oswald said she was concerned respondents in her ward seemed less satisfied with their area than others.
Fellow councillor Peter Murphy said: ''I too was a bit disappointed to read this but I believe the Carnoustie sample was a bit smaller compared to others. There might be other ways in which the sample is flawed but if there is any truth in it, it's surprising.
''Carnoustie has a wonderful seafront development and golf course. The recent spend on its schools ... means that people have very good reason to be very satisfied.''
An Angus happiness survey is taken every two years, in October and November, by Cambuslang firm Research Resource. The cross-section is composed of 1,500 general citizens, another 1,250 divided equally between the eight wards, and 250 from areas of multiple deprivation.
The latest survey revealed that 99% of respondents said they were either satisfied or very satisfied with life in the county, an increase of 6%. Where 29% of respondents in 2009 believed their street had become worse to live in over the previous five years, only 4% said this last year.
On the downside, only 58% thought youth facilities were accessible, and 52% found social care/social services accessible.
In the area of health, 39% were eating four or more portions of fruit per day compared to 34% in 2009, and 18% admitted to smoking at the time of the survey compared to 36%.
Council leader Bob Myles said: ''There's a lot to be very proud of here and a happiness level of 99% is almost unbelievable. Maybe in Carnoustie it is a case of councillors doing more to get the message over.''
Mr Myles said the environment satisfaction statistic relating to Brechin was also quite low but he believes that may be affected by media reports, and that his ward stood to gain from a ''feelgood factor'' based on developments, such as the community hub for the town.
11.44am - 04.02.2012 sheddybong - Montrose, UK Report This
What's the point in publishing an article on Carnoustie folk being the unhappiest in Angus, and not showing the rest of the results?
05.41pm - 04.02.2012 Kbcying - Carnoustie, Scotland Report This
Where, exactly, is the 'abbey' in Carnoustie as mentioned in the report?!....
05.59pm - 04.02.2012 W.M. - Angus, Scotland U.K. Report This
10,000 plus residents and nothing to do. Bmonifieth is the same. Why? Easy. It's a dependence on Dundee. "Are we with Dundee, are we not". The eye has been taken off the project allowing successive Angus Council's to let Dundee provide facilities so they can put money elsewhere.
12.28pm - 06.02.2012 Hill of Maule - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Maybe its something to do with Carnoustie Fowk being prisoners in their own homes during golf competitions?
01.29pm - 07.02.2012 R Bruce - Forfar, UK Report This
I am surprised... I would have thought Brechin was the most depressive place in Angus
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