Canterbury census appeal

words by Rebecca Tomkins and audio by Rebecca Tomkins & Alex Dodds

For the past few weeks the postmen have been busily delivering the 2011 census to our doorsteps.  The census is important for the government to understand where funds should be sent for local services.  Canterbury council can lose an estimated £5,000 over a period of 10 years for every census not completed and returned.

The council has set up workshops in village halls and community workshops to ensure people are confident that they will fill in forms correctly.  Today the first workshop took place in Whitstable at the Whitstable Library with census coordinator Henry Lewis.  The coordinator of Tankerton, Whitstable, Yorkletts and Seasalter explained the importance of the census:

“The census is really important, primarily so that the resources get to the population in relation to their needs.  If we didn’t have the census the distribution of schools, hospitals, transport etc would be rather more haphazard than if there was no concrete information.

“This year they have tried to make the census more attractive to younger people; you can answer the questions online, which cuts out some of the repetition. 

“In terms of ease, other than a few names it’s a tick box questionnaire.  Its relatively straight forward, perhaps people are reluctant to wade through a ‘big document’.  But there is a helpline people can phone and some of my collectors will be helping those who phoned and said they had difficulty filling it in.

“With personal contact we can try and get across the benefits filling in the forms have to the community.  Once 10 days have elapsed after the census day on the 27^th March anyone who hasn’t responded will have one of my collectors knocking on their door and encouraging them to do so.  At that stage people will be made aware of all the benefits and why they should do it.  There will be TV ads starting this week.”

Mr Lewis finished by saying “The future funding of Canterbury, Whitstable and the surrounding areas lies in the hands of the residents filling in their forms.” 

This helps the government and councils prioritise future funding; social services for elderly people, money to fund additional places in schools and even facilities for English learning in areas where non English speakers are high.  The 2.5 million homes that received the census will also be filling in information about their religion and occupation.  The census dates back to 1801 and has provided crucial information for those tracking their ancestors.  The census is estimated to cost a staggering £482 million, so make sure you fill in your form!

For more  information on the census or to fill it out online click HERE. or for more details on the significance of census on local funding click HERE.

Or follow this LINK to the census workshop programme.


Follow this LINK to see what the people of Canterbury thought of the Census!

Listen to the interview yourself below!

Interview with Henry Lewis by Rebecca1906