Agenda item

To develop and approve a new approach for communications with residents.

The Committee considered a report which set out proposals for how the Council would meet its Corporate Plan commitment to communicate effectively with residents. The report explained the approach for communicating with residents and highlighted priority communications activity for January 2022 – March 2023.

Members raised the following matters in relation to the report:

§  The comment was made that some residents did not have access to digital technology and might therefore be excluded from certain forms of engagement. The Head of Communications responded that the communications plan would sit alongside the Digital Strategy which aimed at improving access across the board. On being asked whether digital equipment could be provided by the Council for those in deprived circumstances, the Executive Director of Corporate Services explained that this was not currently planned and that some community-based projects might assist. .

§  The comment was made that town and parish councils and local volunteers would be willing to assist with the distribution of hard copies of documents to residents where necessary.

§  Some members of the public were still finding it difficult to access Cheshire East committee meetings over the Internet. The Executive Director of Corporate Services responded that there were ongoing technical issues involving the Council’s firewall and that a solution was being sought; she undertook to pursue the matter and report back to Members.

§  Greater emphasis should be placed on residents in particular, as opposed to other stakeholders, and recognition should be given to the communication difficulties experienced by older people.

§  The communications plan should also address the needs of minority groups such as travellers.

§  With regard to a question about how robust social and digital media platforms were against attempts by third parties to influence and disrupt communications, the Executive Director of Corporate Services suggested that the Committee might wish to add an item on cyber security to its work programme.

§  In response to a comment about the difficulty in contacting officers, for example in the highways and planning services, the Chief Executive reiterated the importance of customer service and explained that work was underway to make improvements.

The Head of Communications advised that the next step would be to conduct a survey of residents and customers to understand their communications preferences and needs. The results of that survey, and a draft communications strategy, would then be brought back to the Committee.

Members asked if the results of the survey could be published on the Council’s website. The Director of Governance and Compliance undertook to work with Democratic Services to ensure that this was done.

On a related matter, Councillor C Browne advised that he and the Leader of the Council were planning a Q&A session for residents.

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That the Committee

1.    approves the development of a communications strategy for residents, including undertaking a survey of residents and customers to understand their communications preferences and needs; and the results of the survey, together with the draft communications strategy, be brought back to the Committee;

2.    approves the principles and approach for communications activity set out in paragraphs 5.7 and 5.8 of the report; and

3.    notes the planned priorities for the communications programme for 2022-23.

(At this point, the Committee adjourned for 10 minutes.)