FAQs
When will the calls be made?
Calls will start from Friday 26th September until the quota of 1000 responses is reached. This took 4 weeks last time this survey was done.
What times of day will the phone calls be?
Approximately two-thirds of all calls will be made outside of normal working hours. This is to ensure that a diverse range of residents are included and many people are not at home or available during working hours.
Where did you get my phone number from?
Wealden District Council have not provided NEMS or Nexus with any customer information. Telephone numbers are generated using a process known as 'random digit dialling'; this involves generating a phone number by randomly adding the last set of digits to known valid area codes. Other than approximate geographical location nothing else is known about the number and it may be a public phone or business number. This method of sampling is used to help ensure a representative cross-section of the public.
Mobile numbers are also included in the survey sample to further increase the inclusivity of the survey, given the increase in the number of mobile-only households. These numbers are generated from a variety of commercial sources, where permission has been given to use such contact information for research and marketing purposes.
Market research is not classified as unsolicited sales and marketing.
My telephone number is registered with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) and/or BT Privacy Service to stop cold calls, so why are you calling me?
It is a legal requirement under The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (EC Directive) 2003 for organisations that are making unsolicited calls (cold calling) for sales or marketing purposes to filter those calls against the TPS register lists. There are however no legal or statutory requirements to filter calls for research purposes, as it is important on such consultation exercises that everyone has the opportunity for participation.
These calls are not intended to sell, market or provide details of any goods or services in any way, but to request your participation in a genuine research study. In conducting these studies, it is important to ensure that those taking part are as representative as possible of the target audience being researched. To exclude individuals with TPS registered phone numbers could potentially bias the results, and also deny you the opportunity of participating in this research, the results of which may impact on policies that affect you, or products and services that you use.
I have concerns about the call, who do I speak to?
We would welcome people taking part in the survey and greatly appreciate all responses, but anyone contacted is under no obligation to take part. If anyone who receives a call has concerns at any point, they should hang up and report it to us at PlanningPolicy@wealden.gov.uk
If you have specific questions or complaints regarding the telephone contact , please contact telephone@nemsmr.com. This email address can also be used to request that we cease any further future calls to your telephone number (please remember to include the telephone number in the email).
Are NEMS part of the Market Research Society Code of Conduct?
They are an MRS Company Partner. As an MRS Company Partner, the organisation agrees to uphold the standards of excellence laid out in the MRS Code of Conduct and the MRS Quality Commitment Form.
How can I find out more about the study?
If you would like to know more about the Study, please contact the Planning Policy Team team on 01892 602 008 or PlanningPolicy@wealden.gov.uk