Agenda item

To receive a written update of the Communication & Engagement Sub-Group along with a communications update.

(Carol Young to present-10 Minutes)

Consideration was given to a written report updating members on the Communications & Engagement Sub-Group and communications in general.

Carol Young, Policy and Partnerships Manager at Cheshire East Council attended the virtual meeting and highlighted at the previous virtual meeting discussions had taken place in respect of establishing a Communication & Engagement Sub-Group to support the development of the TIP and to help drive future regeneration of Crewe forward. 

She suggested the need to think about producing a Communication Plan which would set out key massages and set out timescales and milestones so it was clear when publicity campaigns were in operation as well as the importance of developing campaigns alongside those timelines for when want to release information. 

She explained that providing access to the public as well, including accessing information on projects would allow them to be more engaged and cuts down enquiry time if information is available online.  A number of tools and resources could be used for example a web presence/newsletters. 

She emphasised that a lot of good work already had already taken place particularly in respect of the Crewe branding. There was also the possibility of tapping into wider campaigns and using links to other websites as well as utilising partner videos to promote Crewe and partner networks.  She requested that discussions focus on how to move the Group forward, its direction, membership, purpose and terms of reference as well as agreeing to some objectives.

It was pointed out that a meeting was taking place later in the day round the website and that further discussions around that subject should take place there.  In terms of the substance of the group it was felt that discussions on this should take place outside of the virtual meeting given the time constraints.

In terms of the website the Chairman commented that the short-term plan was to use Crewe Town Council’s website with the longer-term vision to have a website which showcased the ambition of Crewe.  Initially elements would focus on the Crewe Town Board and the towns fund but the platform would then be extended to the wider regeneration efforts of Crewe.

In response Carol Young confirmed that the first stage was to access Cheshire East Council’s website whereby the public could access papers immediately and this was already in place.  The next step was to work with Crewe Town Council and then in the medium to longer term look to the procurement of a bespoke website.

With regard to the procurement process the Chairman asked if there was a mechanism in place for money to be transferred from Cheshire East Council to the Crewe Town Council to allow the Town Council to undertake the procurement process.  In response it was stated that this would be considered at the meeting taking place later in the day.

Further comments were made in respect of the web and whether or not it would build in the work already undertaken by Wayne Hemmingway.  It was confirmed it would.

It was agreed that further discussions would need to take place about funding.

There were concerns that the communication element wasn’t as cohesive as it could be and more involvement with key people would be more efficient rather than repeating discussions.  It was agreed that discussions after the virtual meeting would take place to co-ordinate diaries so that the meeting taking place later in the day involved all relevant people.

RESOLVED

That the update be noted.