SEVENTY five per cent of staff at South Lakeland District Council are ‘proud’ to work for it, according to a new survey.

Nearly half of the authority’s 400 staff completed the survey - an 18 per cent jump on the last carried out in 2011.

It is also the highest response rate since the council started surveying the workforce in 2008.

There has also been a 30 per cent increase in staff who believe SLDC works ‘openly and honestly’ with 68.9 per cent agreeing with this statement.

That compares to 2011, when just 36 .6 per cent agreed the council works openly and honestly.

Close to 90 per cent of staff believe SLDC provides a good service to the community - another increase on 2011 with 90.7 per cent believing its service is good or excellent.

Over 75 per cent agreed they are treated with ‘dignity and respect’ and 88.6 per cent are happy in their job.

Close to 90 per cent also said the council was a good or excellent employer.

Only 65 per cent said they felt informed about council decisions and just over 78 per cent are satisfied with their line managers.

At a meeting of the full council last night, Kendal mayor Coun Sylvia Emmott said: “I think with all the turbulent times we’ve been going through trying to set a balanced budget, I think thanks should be extended to senior officers, assistant directors and line managers who work for this authority.”