Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Communications & Community Engagement Officer concerning the progress of current and proposed communication projects.

Members were pleased to hear work assessing the Council’s website in order to ensure that it was compliant and followed the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines was underway

The Committee discussed the paper-based communications that the council provided to residents. It was felt that an additional newsletter should be delivered to each household however, the existing £3,000 budget remain and therefore Officers should make the publication A5 in size and utilise QR codes so residents could obtain additional information on subjects.

In consideration of the proposed new residents’ leaflet, it was felt by Members that this should be an electronic leaflet provided by estate agents or solicitors on completion of house purchases with a link to a page on the Council’s website.

Members also asked that paper copies of the newsletter and residents’ leaflet be made available via the Councils administration office; these would be printed in house and therefore avoid any additional printing cost.

The Committee considered the options for signage to direct visitors to the Lake & Country Park. Members understood the difficulties of the positioning of the signage. It was suggested that it could be placed close to the new café that was due to be built in the coming year. Members were keen to ensure that the material used meant that the signage was robust from vandalism attacks however, felt that wood should be a first choice with plastic, hopefully recycled, as a second choice. The Committee delegated to Officers to further explore options including having Witney Shed produce the signage however a purchased option may provide a more longer lasting option.

Recommended:

1.      That, the report be noted and,

2.      That, a budget of £3,000 be set for the printing and delivery of two A5 newsletters in 2025 and,

3.      That, a new Witney information leaflet be produced and,

4.      That, a budget of £1,500 be set for the provision of signage for the Lake & Country Park to be met from the existing In Bloom underspend and,

5.      That, the purchase of signage be delegated to Officers.