Agenda item

To receive a verbal update from Reverend David Edwards and a written report on the Communication & Engagement Sub-Group.

Reverend David Edwards attended the virtual meeting and provided a verbal update to the Board. 

Reverend Edwards went on to give a presentation on the website.  He confirmed the website was now live and the feedback received so far had been positive.  He thanked everyone for their hard work on the website particularly Lindsay Lewis.

The purpose of the website was also to support the Board’s ongoing engagement and partnership arrangements in the community.  The inclusion of ‘mini surveys’ represented the first step in keeping the conversation going between now and when the decision from Government was made.  The titles of the surveys reflected the key themes emerging from the TIP with each set of questions designed to steer debate helpful to the process.

Jane Dalton and Groundswell would continue collating responses until the end of January.  The Sub-Group was progressing with their social media presence on Facebook and Twitter working closely with Cheshire College South and West for resources in respect of the development and monitoring of the Sub-Groups social presence.  In addition the Director of Marketing and Skills Partnership at the College had been invited to be part of the Sub-Group.  In terms of content of the website the Board were asked for their feedback and what content they would like to see on the webpages.

Members offered their congratulations on the work undertaken so far and made the following comments:-

• Whether information on the future high streets fund would be included on the website.  It was agreed that the website would be a good place to showcase the Future High Streets Fund but further discussions with Cheshire East Council needed to take place first;
• The creation of a ‘feedback loop’ in respect of the surveys;
• Social media eg Facebook would be the best method of publicising the website;
• Inclusion of a journey of projects developing over the next few years, for example photographs of how work was progressing similar to the market hall;

Further discussions took place on the feedback process, the content of the website and how it seemed logical to include as much information as possible as long as duplication was avoided as well as ensuring as many people as possible were including in the engagement process, particularly those who did not have access to the internet.  Advertising of the website was considered to be essential and it was suggested that billboards could be erected to publicise the website’s existence in order to promote the transformational change Crewe was undergoing.

Rhiannon Hilton, the Communications Officer at Cheshire East Council attended the virtual meeting and presented a report outlining the strategic objectives and communication and engagement plan.

The Chairman welcomed the report and felt it was an essential document given the importance of communication for the Board.  In terms of the approval process he felt all elected Members on the Board needed to be included.  Discussions took place as to how this approach could be streamlined given the tight timescales for issuing press releases.  It was suggested a set number of Board members sign off the generic sentences within the press releases and if individuals wanted individual quotes to be included they would need to make sure they were submitted in time.  It was felt important that politics didn’t play a role when press issues had to be released and that the role of the Board was apolitical.

The Chairman felt previously press releases were being circulated without all members of the Board being fully aware.  The adoption of a protocol would hopefully avoid this in the future.  Members were asked to formally agree in principle the recommendations contained within the report and that the Sub-Group could make further amendments before presenting the final document.

Dr Mullan MP suggested the strategy allow for Board members to retain the right to release statements and make comments in a personal capacity but where possible all Board members be encouraged to communicate as part of the overall strategy.  Where statements were being released which contained comments from political persons then those comments should be balanced.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the update be noted that the recommendations contained within the report be endorsed in principle subject to a final version of the strategy being circulated to Board members for sign off;

(2)  That any further communication channels Board members would like to see to be emailed to the Communication & Engagement Sub-Group.