Issue - meetings

The Communications and Engagement Strategy seeks to improve and modernise the Communications and Engagement service at the Council. It will require a significant shift in terms of operations, expectations, prioritisation and culture. When executed, it will not only provide better value for money for the Council, but will also help to improve relations with stakeholders by ensuring their views are heard and it will be vital in supporting the delivery and success of important council initiatives and priorities. The Executive is asked to endorse the approach set out in the Strategy, and recommend it to Full Council for approval.

Recommendation

That the Executive recommends to Full Council that the Communications and Engagement Strategy be approved.

35.1    Cllr Follows, whose Executive Portfolio included Communications and Engagement, introduced the new Communications and Engagement Strategy, 2019-23. The Strategy, which would replaced the expiring Communications and Public Relations Strategy, sought to improve and modernise the Communications and Engagement service at the Council. It would require a significant shift in terms of operations, expectations, prioritisation and culture. It would provide better value for money for the Council, help improve relations with stakeholder by ensuring their views were heard, and be vital in supporting the delivery and success of important council initiatives and priorities.

35.2    The Executive RESOLVED to recommend to Full Council that the Communications and Engagement Strategy be approved.

Reason: to update the Council’s Communications and PR Strategy 2014-19, and to reflect the evolution of the work of the Communications Team towards more engagement activity.