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Wirral's Cabinet to discuss
plans for improved communications with residents and businesses
WIRRAL residents and businesses could
soon find it easier to learn about local services, events and community
information in the borough, through a new Council communications approach.
The move comes after extensive market research carried out last year by leading
market research agency, Ipsos Mori showed that 6 out of 10 Wirral residents do
not feel well informed about local services and community information, with the
figure even greater in the borough's more economically deprived areas.
Wirral Council's cabinet will later this month consider a proposal which will
see part of their current advertising costs redirected into producing a printed
publication to keep residents better informed about what is available and going
on in their community.
The publication will be supported by a new website and through social media, as
the Council moves to ensure it improves how it communicates with every resident
in the Borough.
The publication, which will include content supplied by community organisations,
residents groups and charities, will be at no extra cost to Council Tax payers.
Kevin MacCallum, senior manager for communications and marketing, said:-
"Our Residents' Survey last year told us very clearly that people in Wirral
wanted more information. These findings were a rude awakening for us: they told
us the tools we currently use to communicate with residents aren't powerful
enough and aren't getting the job done.
Keeping residents well informed is incredibly important and that's why we are
making communicating with residents a top priority.
It's clear that people want access to information and services in different
ways. The Council website alone gets in the region of 3 million hits every year
and we work with thousands of residents through social media channels like
Twitter and Facebook. The proposed monthly publication and new website
will enable us to communicate more effectively with every resident in Wirral
while reducing the amount we currently spend."
If approved, the publication will include public service and community
information, and some advertising.
It will be produced using existing resources, requiring no new investment, and
delivered once a month to homes and businesses, with additional copies available
at locations such as supermarkets, hospitals and transport hubs.
The first edition would be delivered in autumn 2016.
But some feel that this might affect new media groups online and
offline, just when the local media industry is facing ever increasing strain.
Do you think this is a good or bad idea? You
views please.. So please send us your thoughts on this to:-
news24@southportreporter.com... |
