Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Development attached.

Decision Made: (Unanimously)

That:

1.    The production of three Forward newspapers be approved.

2.    The newspaper to be posted out via Royal Mail.

3.    The evaluation of both the paper edition of Forward and the email newsletter be approved with a report of the evaluation to be presented to Cabinet at a later date.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive which outlined proposals for methods of communicating with residents and businesses in the borough until April 2019. The report sought the approval of the Cabinet on the production of three Forward newspapers, approval of its delivery method from two suggested options and approval of the evaluation of said newspapers, in line with the objectives of the Communications Strategy developed in 2017.

Councillors Mick Titherington and Paul Foster raised their concerns at the meeting that the recommendations made by the cross party working group to pursue an electronic version of the FORWARD had been ignored. It had been 18 months since its last publication and they considered the proposals to publish three editions over the next six months to be excessive in the run up to an all-out election.

The Cabinet explained, that whilst the electronic delivery of FORWARD was still being explored, there had been some software difficulties and rather than wait any further, they had decided to revive the existing arrangements to improve on the authority’s communications with its residents. In the future, the Cabinet planned to deliver the publication both electronically and in newspaper format so as to avoid digital exclusion for many of its residents especially those in deprived areas of the Borough. The use of community buildings such as local supermarkets, libraries and doctors surgeries had also been considered as places to deposit the publication in bulk, however a more personal delivery to residents was favoured by the community.

In response to a member of the public it was explained that the Council would be undertaking a review of its website and other online communications to improve on their content and accessibility.

Decision Made: (Unanimously)

That:

1.    The production of three Forward newspapers be approved.

2.    The newspaper to be posted out via Royal Mail.

3.    The evaluation of both the paper edition of Forward and the email newsletter be approved with a report of the evaluation being presented to Cabinet at a later date.

Reason(s) for decision:

A Communications Strategy was developed in 2017 that would transform how we communicate with our key stakeholders. One of the objectives in the medium-term action plan was to undertake a rigorous and evidence-based review of the Forward newspaper.

The decision will revitalise the Forward newspaper as recommended by the Communications Strategy and will improve communications between the Council and residents and businesses.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None.