Wirral residents have had their say on what they think should be the council’s highest priorities for the coming year.

The figures have been released as part of the Residents’ Survey 2017 – research done by Ipsos MORI on behalf of the local authority – and show there is one overwhelming top choice.

A total of 63% of the 1,200 respondents in the survey saw reducing crime and anti-social behaviour as what should be among the council’s highest priorities – 25% higher than the its nearest competitor – street cleanliness and road maintenance.

Here are the 15 highest priorities for residents, and the percentage of respondents that chose them:

1. Reducing crime and anti-social behaviour – 63%

2. Street cleanliness and road maintenance – 38%

3. Rubbish collection and recycling – 30%

4. Support for vulnerable children and families – 29%

5. Support for vulnerable adults – 28%

6. Encouraging job creation and skills – 26%

7. Support for schools – 19%

8. Services for children and young people – 15%

9. Encouraging people to live more healthily – 15%

10. Protecting the environment – 14%

11. Housing services – 10%

12. Libraries, arts and museums – 10%

13. Road safety – 10%

14. Parks and countryside – 10%

15. Sport and recreation facilities – 6%

Carried out between September and November last year, the two highest priorities remained the same as when the survey was done in 2015, with both adding percentage points – crime from 60% in 2015 to 63% in 2017, and roads from 36% to 38%.

The report said: “When presented with a list of council services, a clear lead priority for residents is, once again, the reduction of crime and anti-social behaviour followed by street cleanliness and road maintenance.

“It should also be noted that rubbish collection and recycling has also gained greater prominence this year, increasing from 21% in 2015 to 30%.

“These areas of focus reflect residents’ previous views on what they consider to be important in their local area and what they consider to be in need of improvement.

“Other significant shifts in priorities include support for vulnerable adults and support for schools, whilst prioritising services for children and young people has decreased significantly.”

Speaking about the Residents’ Survey earlier this week, Kevin MacCallum, Wirral council’s head of communications, said: “It’s absolutely clear from the local and national research that people across the country are worried about public services. It’s also clear what residents’ priorities are: improving the local environment, protecting the vulnerable and supporting job creation.

“The council leadership have been clear that they must be our priorities too, and that is why the council is investing more than £15m on road, highway and street lighting improvements, £20m on improving children’s services and why it has created Wirral Growth Company, which will create 3,000 jobs for local people.”