Issue - meetings

Minute 144 refers.

RESOLVED - that (A) that the comments of the Corporate Business Scrutiny Committee be received; and

(B)   the 2012 Communication Strategy as now amended, be approved.

(see also Minute 230 above)

The Leader of the Council submitted a report proposing the adoption of a new Communication Strategy and Action Plan together with a set of social media principles.

The Corporate Business Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting held on 29 May 2012, has considered and supported the adoption of the Strategy as now submitted.

Councillor E Buckmaster referred to the need to emphasise community engagement.  In respect of social media tools, it was important for users to be clear as to whether they were expressing policy or opinion.  Finally, he suggested the need to measure response rates as a key influencer.

The Leader accepted these comments and suggested that the Strategy could be tweaked to take account of these points.

The Executive Member for Health, Housing and Community Support advised Members that training on social media had been arranged for September 2012 and encouraged them to attend.  She also reminded Members that community grants were available to them to arrange community engagement meetings in their area.

The Executive supported the proposed Strategy, subject to the amendments now detailed.

RECOMMENDED - that (A) that the comments of the Corporate Business Scrutiny Committee be received; and

(B)      the 2012 Communication Strategy as now amended, be approved.

The Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services submitted a report introducing a new Communication Strategy and Action Plan together with a set of social media principles.

Members were advised that this report was the first stage in securing a proactive communications strategy for the Authority, in order to ensure there was a targeted approach to communications.  Officers would then be able to ensure that appropriate messages were delivered to audiences across the District.

The Committee was advised that social media would assist Councillors in engaging with communities at a local level.  Members would be given training on the appropriate usage of social media and there would also be a workshop on community engagement at ward level.

In response to a number of comments from Councillor J Ranger, Members were advised that all Parish and Town Council Clerks had been contacted.  Members were also advised that the new strategy would assist with ensuring that the public were more able to distinguish between the functions performed by East Herts Council and Hertfordshire County Council.

The Executive Member for Health, Housing and Community Support stated that the strategy would ensure the exciting and innovative use of communication to publicise the good work being carried out across East Herts.  Councillor D Andrews commented that the Members Information Bulletin would be reviewed as part of the strategy.

In response to a query from Councillor M Pope, Members were advised that the strategy would also provide residents with an important linkage between value for money and the services of East Herts Council.  The Director of Internal Services reminded Members that the freeze in Council Tax was particularly relevant.

The Committee received the report and recommended that the 2012 East Herts Communications Strategy should be adopted.

RESOLVED – that (A) the report be noted; and

(B)   the 2012 East Herts Communication Strategy be recommended to the Executive for adoption.