Council to spend £15,000 on Blackpool residents survey

But the move to hold a telephone survey has come under fire from a councillor who has previously warned against intruding into people's lives by calling them at home.

Coun Maxine Callow says the move risks encouraging residents to give out personal details over the phone, when wider advice tells people not to do that.

She said: "People get so many hoax calls these days that I am always nervous about the council holding a telephone survey.

"It's very difficult because if you carry out an online survey, it's not fair because a lot of people aren't online, yet we are always told not to divulge details about our private lives to cold callers on the telephone.

"There is so much fraud happening unfortunately. The only good way is to send official letters out and ask people to fill them in.

"I know the council wants to find out what people think of its services, but they need to carry this out very carefully."

The council says it is seeking "to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced provider to conduct a telephone survey of the town’s residents in order to ascertain their opinions on the council, its services and the local area.."

The contract, which has been advertised on North West procurement site The Chest, has a value of £15,000.

The council carries out a residents survey around once every four years, and in the past has stated it ensures enhancements and safeguards are in place, including "sensible practice around when the calls are made.”