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.