Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive (enclosed).

1.    To approve the new communications strategy.

2.    To approve the updated media protocol.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Member (Economic Development and Public Service Reform), presented the report of the Deputy Chief Executive which presents a refresh of the communications strategy and seeks approval on the strategy and updated media protocol.

The new strategy sets out the aims, objectives, and principles the council will adopt and also focuses on three areas for improvement that have been identified as part of the team review. The priority areas consist of doing digital better to engage with our residents, planning and prioritising, and improving internal communications.

Whilst reviewing the strategy, officers have adapted the media protocol to clarify the questions raised by members as to how a situation would be dealt with if there was a conflict of interest between both South Ribble and Chorley Council. This would be handled by working to the protocol for each authority and reflecting the view of each authority.

Members supported the proposals in the report.

Decision:

1.    To approve the new communications strategy.

2.    To approve the updated media protocol.

Reasons for recommendation(s):

To ensure the strategy is up-to-date.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

1.    It was considered not to update the strategy, but this has been rejected to enable us to develop the work of the communications team.

2.    Various approaches and options have been considered as part of the team review of the summer and they form the basis of the new strategy.