Issue - meetings

To receive a communication update from the Dewsbury Town Board communications working group.

RESOLVED –

That the Communication Update be noted.

The Board received an update from the Communications Working Group as below:

·       Counter Context had been working on a schedule of social media posts for publication on a variety of social media platforms. Board Members were asked to share these posts on their social media.

·       The Board were asked for feedback on what information they would like to see shared on social media, and a monthly request would be sent by Counter Context to prompt this feedback.

·       James Blamires, Project Officer, had provided text for the frequently asked questions (FAQs) and facts page for the Dewsbury Town Board website, which had been reviewed by the working group.

·       The working group had met with officers to review a number of options on how to spend the budget allocated at the last meeting of the Board, including how to best reach residents of Dewsbury and update them on the work of the Dewsbury Town Board.

·       The working group’s preferred options were advertisements on buses and bus stops, window vinyls, billboards and local radio, to reach as wide an audience as possible.

·       Further costings on these options were to be provided at the next meeting of the working group.

·       One third of the £12,500 budget for communications activity would be saved for later in the year.

·       Translation costs of communications into community languages had been considered, as well as how to reach residents who did not access digital technology. These communication activities were being prioritised.

During discussion the Board noted that information regarding the Board’s position on the Dewsbury Sports Centre would be provided on the Dewsbury Town Board website, and that the website would clarify how the public could ask further questions and engage with the work of Dewsbury Town Board. It was noted that there was the potential to use of WhatsApp as a channel of communication, however it was deemed to be unsuitable due to issues of data protection. The Communications Team invited further ideas from the Board on how to reach out to different groups within the community.

RESOLVED –

That the Communication Update be noted.