Outcome library

What residents need from their council, written down once and used to test every council website. Each outcome is something a resident wants to get done; the user needs are the steps on the way, with the criteria a good page meets.

Scored this month

Each type of council is scored on five user needs every month. Open one to see what a good page has to do.

Outcomes by service area

Waste and recycling

• Get my rubbish and recycling collected
  Know when my bins are collected, what goes in each one, and get a missed collection put right.
• Get rid of things that don't go in my bins
  Arrange for large, electrical or clinical waste to be collected or disposed of safely.
• Get my garden waste collected
  Sign up and pay for a garden waste collection.
• Take waste to a recycling centre
  Find a household waste recycling centre, when it is open and what it takes.

Council tax

• Pay the right council tax
  Pay my council tax, understand my band and bill, and keep my account up to date when I move.
• Pay less council tax if I'm entitled to
  Find and claim the discounts, exemptions and reductions I qualify for.

Benefits and financial help

• Get help paying my rent
  Claim housing benefit and understand what I will get.

Housing

• Find somewhere affordable to live
  Get on the housing register, apply for social housing or get advice if I might lose my home.

Adult social care

• Get care and support for someone
  Get an adult's care needs assessed and arrange the support they need.

Schools and education

• Get my child into a school
  Apply for a school place and understand how places are offered.

Roads and highways

• Get a road or pavement problem fixed
  Report a pothole or damaged road and know when it will be fixed.

Parking and transport

• Park near my home
  Understand parking zones and get a resident or visitor permit.
• Deal with a parking fine
  Pay or challenge a penalty charge notice.
• Get around by bus and train
  Plan a journey, check when the next bus or train is due, and know about disruption before I travel.
• Travel for less on public transport
  Find out which bus and travel passes I can get, including free and discounted passes, and apply for one.

Planning and building control

• Build or change my property
  Find out if I need permission, then apply for planning and building control approval.
• Have my say on development near me
  See and comment on planning applications and the local plan.

Environment and pollution

• Work on a tree safely and legally
  Check whether a tree is protected before I cut or prune it.

Business and licensing

• Get the licence my business or trade needs
  Apply for and renew business, premises and taxi licences.
• Start or grow my business
  Find free advice, grants and funding to start, run or grow a business in my area.

Leisure, parks and culture

• Find things to do locally
  Find leisure, parks, holiday activities and car parks near me.

Births, deaths, marriages and ceremonies

• Register a birth or a death
  Book an appointment and register a birth or a death.

Elections and voting

• Vote in elections
  Register to vote and find out how, where and when to vote.

Disability and accessibility

• Park closer as a disabled person
  Apply for or renew a Blue Badge.

Skills and employment

• Learn new skills as an adult
  Find a free or low-cost course near me that helps me get a job, change career or get on at work.

Council and democracy

• Get in touch with the council
  Find the right way to contact the council about my question.
• Find out what the council does and spends
  Find transparency data and make a freedom of information request.
• Work for the council
  Find and apply for council jobs.
• Know what my mayor does and have my say
  Find out who my mayor is, what they are responsible for and what they plan, and have my say on their decisions.

More

• What changed in the library