A census taker may come to test you

Thurrock people are being urged to complete their national Census forms when they come through their doors in the next few weeks.

The amount of government funding Thurrock Council and other public bodies, such as the NHS and police, receive is based on the number of people living in an area and that is worked out from the Census.

For every person not counted in the Census, the council alone will lose an estimated £500. If just one per cent of homes in Thurrock fail to complete and return the form, that adds up to £750,000 – around 1½ per cent on Council Tax.

The situation is thought to be so crucial to the council that Thurrock has linked up with five other councils – Basildon, Braintree, Chelmsford, Maldon and Uttlesford – to launch a campaign to raise public awareness.

Residents will be made aware of the census through local newspaper adverts as well as a campaign on Heart FM.

National Census Day is Sunday, 27 March, and a poor response rate would mean the government thinking fewer people live in the area than actually do. This could drastically reduce the amount of funding available over the next decade. Indeed, some councils say a poor response rate to the 2001 census has cost them tens of millions of pounds over the past ten years.

Cllr John Kent, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: “In the 2001 Census it is estimated that 89 per cent of people living in Thurrock filled in the form. While that sounds good, it is well below the average and cost the council over £8 million a year, or £82 million over the ten years since – money that could have been spent on services for Thurrock people.

“We definitely need a better response this year because of the increasing financial pressures on public services.”

Residents should complete and return the census form posted through their door, or complete the online version at www.2011.census.gov.uk