Issue - meetings

Report of the Interim Chief Executive attached.

Decision made:

1.    That Cabinet agree to the wider South Ribble Borough Council brand perception to form part of the up-coming citizen survey.

2.    That Cabinet considers the options for brand update/change and commits to making the minimum change necessary following the Citizen Survey feedback.

3.    That Scrutiny Committee will consider the results of the Citizen Survey feedback in relation to the branding options before coming back to Cabinet for decision.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster presented a report of the Interim Chief Executive that outlined options for new or updated South Ribble Borough Council branding.

The Council’s brand and logo had been in place for a number of years and was originally created in partnership with Runshaw College. The logo, colours and associated branding are used both internally and externally across the Borough. Limited versions of the logo are available which can cause design challenges and brand inconsistencies.

The Leader explained that a brand is the way that our customers perceive us and encompasses the entire experience. The vision for the Council is to be modern and accessible for all; an organisation that listens to their stakeholders and encourages co-design and consultation, and he considered it appropriate for any new branding to reflect this.

Consultation on the current branding and options on how it could be improved would be sought from residents via a new Citizens survey that was planned to be undertaken shortly and the Leader also commented that it had been several years since a Citizens Survey had been carried out across the Borough.

Councillor David Howarth spoke against the proposals asking if this change was actually a priority for the Council. The logo is on many fixtures across the Borough, including our rubbish containers and it would take some time and considerable cost to change everything. Councillors Michael Green, Colin Clark and Alan Ogilvie shared the same opinion.

The Leader noted Members concerns and promised that if the results of the survey indicated an agreement to change, it would be a light touch approach. Councillor Foster also stated that he would be happy for Scrutiny Committee to view the final proposals before it comes back to Cabinet for decision.

Decision made (unanimously):

1.    That Cabinet agree to the wider South Ribble Borough Council brand perception to form part of the up-coming citizen survey.

2.    That Cabinet considers the options for brand update/change and commits to making the minimum change necessary following the Citizen Survey feedback.

3.    That Scrutiny Committee will consider the results of the Citizen Survey feedback in relation to the branding options before coming back to Cabinet for decision.

Reason(s) for the decision:

1.     The current brand provision is very dated and very few design elements are available for use by the Communications Team and across the organisation.

2.     The Council has a new administration and priorities and a piece of work needs to be in place to determine public perception of current brand.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

1.         The option to do nothing was considered and determined unviable as current brand is dated and limited design elements are available.