Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – PLACE

To outline the Council’s proposed approach to Marketing and Communications for the five-year period from 2024 – 2028.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet approved the 2024 - 2028 Marketing and Communications Strategy.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)   With residents facing a cost-of-living crisis and council budgets being tightened further, it has never been more important for councils to communicate effectively with their audiences.

(2)   Effective communication is critical as it has the power to engage communities, challenge misconceptions, build trust and confidence in the council and through that, strengthen relationships with residents, stakeholders, and staff.

(3)   Although communications help to tell the story of North Herts Council (and improve resident perceptions of the council), marketing is needed to promote and raise awareness of our vision, priorities, and themes, to ensure that the right people, get the right message, at the right time through their preferred channel of choice.

(4)   It is therefore recommended, that the 2024 - 2028 strategy is a Marketing and Communications Strategy.

Audio recording – 7 minutes 49 seconds

The Chair invited Councillor Val Bryant, as Vice Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee to present the referral on this item. Councillor Bryant advised that:

·       It was important for councils to communicate effectively with their residents to build confidence and strengthen relationships with residents.

·       Marketing was essential to promote and raise awareness of the vision, priorities and themes of the Council.

The Leader of the Council, Elizabeth Dennis, presented the report entitled ‘Marketing and Communications Strategy 2024-28’ and advised that:

·       The Council must consider the best way to communicate effectively with the community, its partners and stakeholders.

·       A marketing-based approach to communications was needed to assist in delivering those messages more effectively.

·       Data analysis had shown that where communications teams were involved at the start of a project, there was an 82% success rate and 15% if communications were not involved at all.

·       Communication was the responsibility of everyone who worked at the Council or in the local community.

·       This Council considered the impact on the environment in every piece its work. With regard to the environmental impact marketing and communications at the Council, the only item printed was the Outlook magazine, which was published twice a year. Items were printed by North Herts Museum and Hitchin Town Hall.

·       The communications team worked on a hybrid basis, therefore keeping their carbon footprint down and helping to promote climate initiatives across the district with a view to everyone working towards a more sustainable future. 

Councillor Elizabeth Dennis proposed and Councillor Alistair Willoughby seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That Cabinet approved the 2024 - 2028 Marketing and Communications Strategy.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)   With residents facing a cost-of-living crisis and council budgets being tightened further, it has never been more important for councils to communicate effectively with their audiences.

(2)   Effective communication is critical as it has the power to engage communities, challenge misconceptions, build trust and confidence in the council and through that, strengthen relationships with residents, stakeholders, and staff.

(3)   Although communications help to tell the story of North Herts Council (and improve resident perceptions of the council), marketing is needed to promote and raise awareness of our vision, priorities, and themes, to ensure that the right people, get the right message, at the right time through their preferred channel of choice.

(4)   It is therefore recommended, that the 2024 - 2028 strategy is a Marketing and Communications Strategy.