Minutes:
Members
received the report of the Head of Corporate Strategy and Democratic Services
in relation to the proposed
Corporate
Communications and Community Relations Strategy for the Authority. The report had been commended to Council for adoption
by the Policy and Resources Cabinet Board with one amendment, namely to add the
MEP’s to the list of main audiences.
Following
the presentation of the report, Members supported the Strategy and the
importance of disseminating information to the public. In particular Members felt that members of
the public were not fully aware of the services the Council provided and the
financial support provided to the Fire Authority, etc., although some of this
information is now being built into relevant reports.
Members
acknowledged the need to move to faster digital communication, such as Facebook
and twitter, however in order to be inclusive the Authority would need to
retain its current forms of communication, such as radio, for those not IT
literate. Members noted however that
there was no longer a reporter for the area and that it was mainly up to the
Local Authority and Councillors to circulate information.
In
relation to the use of sponsorship and advertising it would be necessary to
research their viability, including any income generation opportunities.
Members
raised the possibility of involving young people in the community through
perhaps schools and the Youth Council.
Members
supported the addition of the MEP’s to the list of main audiences and asked if
Community and Town Councils be also added.
RESOLVED: That the Communications
Strategy, as set out in Appendix 1 to the circulated report be adopted, subject
to the addition of the MEP’s and Community and Town Councils within the
circulation list.
Supporting documents: