RESIDENTS are more satisfied with living in Enfield than they were three years ago, according to the latest Ipsos MORI poll.

The survey, carried out last year between September and December, reveals 73 per cent of residents are happy with the area, compared to 63 per cent in 2006.

Enfield Council leader Mike Rye said: "This is heartening news and shows a large majority of residents are happy living in Enfield.

"While our own performance rating has improved too, there is still scope for us to improve and help make life even better in our borough."

However, only 68 per cent of council tenants said they were satisfied with their home, compared to 84 per cent overall.

Cllr Rye said the council planned to "do more" to improve the situation, but was currently constrained by legislation.

"We have made some improvements thanks to the millions we have invested in upgrading our stock, and of course we are the first council for decades to finally end the blight along Bowes Road.

"But we must do more. I am particularly keen on the 'expanding our homes for local people' policy, where Enfield-born people are given more points.

"However, we are constrained by current legislation which means we cannot do more at the moment."

The 2009 poll also reveals high satisfaction levels with the borough's libraries, with 80 per cent happy with the service, compared to 73 per cent in 2008.

Ipsos MORI conducted the 2009 Enfield Residents Survey between September 28 and December 14 last year. A total of 6,500 questionnaires were posted out to homes selected at random from a postal address file.

The results were based on 1,807 respondents and were weighted by gender, age, work status, ethnicity and parliamentary constituency to the known profile of Enfield.

Ipsos MORI is the second largest survey research organisation in the UK.