Agenda item

Communications and Branding (Sac.06.09.2019/8)

Minutes:

Alison Dixon, Communications and Marketing Manager was welcomed to the meeting to support discussion on the item.

 

The item was thought to be timely. Given that a number of new contracts had recently started, it was thought pertinent to discuss how these and the wider work of the Area Team and Ward Alliances was communicated and branded.

 

Members were reminded of the previous allocation of finance made for the production of two versions of community magazine. Only a single edition was completed before the contract with the supplier was ceased due to the publication being less than satisfactory.  This led to an amount of finance remaining allocated but would not currently be used.

 

Noted was the need for organisations to acknowledge funding sources, as many users of contacted services were unaware the service they used was funded by the Council.  Members noted the variety of logos and branding, which were not always used consistently.  This had been raised in the recent review of Area Councils.  Members discussed TownSpirit and, given this was relatively new, whether this was understood by residents.

 

Members also noted the use of social media such as Facebook and Twitter as part of communications by contract holders and the Area Team. In addition ‘What’s on’ guides were produced, display boards were erected at events, and projects featured in wider council publications.

 

A number of approaches to improve communications and branding were suggested in the report circulated, and Members were asked on their preferred approach. 


The options included the Area Team developing guidance to assist contractors in their use of logos and acknowledgement of funding.  Also suggested was a focus on social media, with more video content and boosts being undertaken to help promote projects.

 

Noted was the reliance on social media, and that the elderly population would be more inclined to read printed media.

 

Other suggestions included using a pro-forma for leaflets which could be populated with information about Area Council or Ward Alliance projects and distributed in prominent venues.  Also briefly discussed was the opportunity to purchase dedicated support from communications, and the use of other options such as tv screens within libraries.

 

RESOLVED:-

(i)            That the outstanding finance originally allocated for the production of a Community Magazine be allocated to Communications and Branding; and

(ii)          That a guide on branding be produced for Area Council and Ward Alliance commissioned services and projects;

(iii)         That a ‘Love Where You Live’ logo be developed detailing the Wards in the South Area underneath the main logo;

(iv)         That video content related to the Health and Wellbeing Fund projects be developed as a pilot to assess the impact of this approach to communications;

(v)          That the Area Council Manager further develops the most viable options put forward, together with costings for consideration at a future meeting of the Area Council.

Supporting documents:

 

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