Communications Policy
Policy Adopted on 23rd Feb 2023
The purpose of this policy is to clarify the roles and responsibilities of all councillors involved in dealing with the media. It is also to ensure that the Parish Council is seen to communicate in a professional and objective manner. This policy does not seek to regulate Parish Councillors in their private capacity but does provide advice and guidance on their sensible use of media.
The Parish Council’s communications with the media seek to represent the corporate position and views of the Parish Council. If the views of Parish Councillors are different to the Parish Council’s corporate position and views, it is the responsibility of every councillor to make this distinction clear. Subject to the obligations on Parish Councillors not to disclose personal and confidential information and not to misrepresent the Parish Council’s position, Parish Councillors are free to communicate their position and views. In all cases, the Parish Council’s approach, in accordance with the Code and the Guide, is that all individual councillor communications should:
• be lawful
• be cost effective
• be objective
• be even-handed
• be appropriate
• have regard to the Parish Council’s policies
• be issued with care during periods of heightened sensitivity (eg elections).
If in doubt, never say anything you will be uncomfortable repeating in court.
COMMUNICATION CHANNELS
The type of communication channels used will depend on the target audience and the message to be communicated. These will include:
1. Parish Council website
2. Consultations and feedback forms
3. Correspondence (general)
4. Direct responses (email, phone, in person representations)
5. Parish Council meetings
6. Parish Council working groups
7. Nominated Parish Council spokesperson (e.g. for social media responses)
8. Annual Parish meeting
9. Parish Councillors
10. Features submitted to local newsletters
11. Posters, flyers, newsletters
12. Village notice boards
13. Networking links with partners/stakeholders.
WEBSITE
The Parish Council website is an important vehicle for the promotion of Parish Council and wider Parish activities. The website will not:
• contain content that may result in actions for libel, defamation or other claims for damages
• be used to process personal data other than for the purpose stated at the time of capture
• promote any political party or be used for campaigning
• promote personal financial interests
• be used for personal campaigns
• be used in an abusive, hateful or disrespectful manner.