SIRA News: Island Survey results

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Scotland Island Survey results are now available! 

Many thanks to the 191 residents who responded to the survey, conducted by SIRA in May and June 2024. The number of respondents represents 27% of the 711 people who were counted in the 2021 Census.

The results are available in three formats: 

• Summary of results in Powerpoint format (questions and bar graphs with results); thematic summaries of open-ended questions. Survey results May June 2024
• Summary of results in pdf format (questions and bar graphs with results); thematic summaries of open-ended questions. Survey results May June 2024.pdf
• Full results (Excel), containing all results in table form as well as full transcripts of all questions and the way they were coded to themes. Scotland Island Survey All Responses.xlsx

A summary of the findings follows the outcomes, below.

Outcomes from the survey #1: Water and wastewater forum: Water security in the face of scarcity

One of the main issues that was identified in the survey was the need for mains water and sewerage on the island. In response, the Water and Wastewater Subcommittee is convening a public forum to review the efforts that have been made in the past, and, more importantly, to gather and discuss ideas from island residents to advance this cause.  

• When: 18 August, 10 am to 11:30 am. Tea and coffee will be available.
• Where: Scotland Island Community Hall 

Outcomes from the survey #2: Open forum to discuss survey findings

The last 30-45 minutes of the next SIRAC meeting (September 8) will be an open forum to discuss the survey findings after a brief presentation of the results. Topics will include:

• What SIRA is and what it is not 
• Evaluations of SIRA – responses from subcommittees 
• Changes from 2016 survey for similar questions 
• Open forum for other issues to be raised 

Summary of the Island Survey 2024 findings

• Provision of water and wastewater is the top issue of importance for respondents. 95.9% said it was ‘Very important’ or ‘Important’; this was followed by Roads and drainage (92.5%).  
• SIRA was rated best (percentage of respondents selecting ‘Excellent’ or ‘Satisfactory’) for:
• • management of the emergency water system (81.9%)
  • provision of information (77.2%)
  • community engagement (66.4%)
  • community vehicle (66.2%).
• SIRA was rated worst (percentage of respondents selecting ‘Unsatisfactory’ or ‘Poor’) for:
• • roads and drainage (32.2%)
  • Church Point parking (30.1%)
  • private cars and buggies on the island (26%)
• 85.5% of respondents have purchased emergency non-potable water in the last five years and approval rates were 75% to 85% on all items except ‘Trouble free operation’ (69.4%) and Dispute resolution (31.3%), but on the latter 62.2% selected ‘Neutral/Don’t know’).
• Respondents to the question about vehicle ownership (79 people) own 64 land vehicles on the island including 25 cars and 30 buggies or other ultra-light vehicles.
• The community vehicle is ‘never’ or ‘rarely’ used by 73% of respondents for a variety of reasons, mainly to do with lack of need (live waterfront, have a vehicle, prefer walking) but also about 30% of reasons were to do with operational/vehicle issues, including the cost, availability, and accessibility;
• Some of the open-ended comments indicate some misunderstandings about SIRA’s role and power; we will attempt to clear up these misconceptions by better communication.

Stay tuned for another SIRA News comparing the findings of the 2024 and the 2016 Island Surveys.