Appendix A - Communications Action Plan

 

Appendix A - Communications Action Plan 2017/18

 

 

Objective - Encourage pride in Maidstone

What we plan to do

Anticipated Outcomes

Audience

When

Support level

Strategic Priority

 

Encourage residents to engage in activities that enhance pride in our borough such as litter picks and other volunteering opportunities.

 

 

Residents feel a sense of ‘ownership’ and duty in making Maidstone a pleasant environment for all.

 

Residents

Councillors

 

Ongoing

 

High

 

Providing a clean and safe environment

 

Promote pride in Maidstone via officers and members and in regular communications both internally and externally including campaigns such as ‘Love Maidstone’ and ‘Bag that Poo’.

 

 

Increased satisfaction in the council and the efforts we are making to improve the borough for residents.

 

Residents

Staff

Councillors

 

Ongoing

 

High

 

Providing a clean and safe environment

 

Market the ‘offer’ of Maidstone Museum including exhibitions and the new gallery opening plus competitions and other promotions.

 

 

Increased awareness and understanding of Maidstone’s leisure and culture attractions.

 

 

Residents

Staff

Councillors

 

At key times throughout 2017-18

 

High

 

Ensuring there are good leisure and culture attractions

 

Objective – Keeping Maidstone Borough an attractive place for all

What we plan to do

Anticipated Outcomes

Audience

When

Support level

Strategic Priority

 

Engage with residents through existing and new channels about key improvement projects in the town centre such as the public realm upgrade.

 

 

A higher level of understanding from residents about how MBC is improving the borough.

 

 

Residents

Councillors

 

Ongoing

 

Medium

 

Regenerating the town centre

 

Highlight everyday work being carried out by grounds maintenance and other teams to keep our borough an attractive place for all.

 

 

A better understanding of how the council carries out its work and the work teams do within the borough.

 

Residents

Staff

Councillors

 

 

Ongoing

 

Medium

 

Regenerating the town centre

 

Objective - Engage with residents in an effective way

What we plan to do

Anticipated Outcomes

Audience

When

Support level

Strategic Priority

 

Use resident data demographics to target 18-24 year olds, over 75 and BME.

 

An increase in positive participation from the specific age ranges either via our digital communication channels or face to face.

 

 

Residents

 

 

Ongoing

 

Medium

 

We will communicate our vision clearly, openly, accurately and regularly to residents and stakeholders.

 

 

Publicise budget roadshows and other resident focused activity and encourage residents to attend and have their say.

 

 

Residents feel better informed and engaged in council decisions and confident to give their feedback.

 

Residents

Staff

Councillors

 

 

 

July & October 2017

 

Medium

 

We will communicate our vision clearly, openly, accurately and regularly to residents and stakeholders.

 

 

Promote council events such as Proms in the Park using all communication channels available and encouraging residents to feedback.

 

 

Improved awareness amongst residents of the different cultural events held across the borough.

 

 

Residents

Staff

Councillors

 

 

 

Ongoing

 

Medium

 

Ensuring there are good leisure and cultural attractions

 

Objective - Satisfaction with the way Maidstone Borough Council runs it services

What we plan to do

Anticipated Outcomes

Audience

When

Support level

Strategic Priority

 

Assist in the production of the council’s Narrative Report detailing progress towards achieving strategic plan priorities.

 

 

Increased trust in the council.

 

Greater understanding of the council’s strategic priorities.

 

Residents

 

Annually

 

Medium

 

We will communicate our vision clearly, openly, accurately and regularly to residents and stakeholders.

 

 

 

Introduce the council’s refreshed branding jointly with the digital services team launching the new look materials and beta website.

 

 

Greater recognition of council branding.

 

 

Residents

Staff

Councillors

 

 

October 2017

 

High

 

We will communicate our vision clearly, openly, accurately and regularly to residents and stakeholders.

 

 

Objective – Information about council services and benefits

What we plan to do

Anticipated Outcomes

Audience

When

Support level

Strategic Priority

 

Produce two ‘Borough Insight’ council magazine’s for 2017 and consider a further three editions for 2018. The magazine features advertising sold by the communications team in order to keep production costs reasonable.

 

 

Residents feeling more informed about the council through a recognised standalone magazine.

 

Residents

Staff

Councillors

 

July 2017

November 2017

March 2018

July 2018

November 2018

 

High

 

We will communicate our vision clearly, openly, accurately and regularly to residents and stakeholders.

 

 

A review of our external communications channels including our newsletter and social networking accounts.

 

 

More effective communication and better value for money.

 

Residents

Staff

Councillors

 

Annually

Low

 

 

 

We will communicate our vision clearly, openly, accurately and regularly to residents and stakeholders.

 

 

An update of our Social media Strategy, building on our existing social media profile.

 

 

Clear direction for the council’s use of social media to make sure that it effectively contributes to the council’s priorities

 

 

 

Residents

Staff

Councillors

 

 

December 2017

 

Medium

 

We will communicate our vision clearly, openly, accurately and regularly to residents and stakeholders.

 

 

Objective – Staff & Member engagement

What we plan to do

Anticipated Outcomes

Audience

When

Support level

Strategic Priority

 

Launch a refreshed Wakey Wakey following consultation with staff and councillors.

 

Improve staff communication channels to ensure new and existing officers have a better understanding of the council and latest updates.

 

Staff

Councillors

 

October 2017

 

Medium

 

Putting People First

 

Support annual One Council events to ensure topics are relevant and timely and relate to corporate priorities. Ensure events are followed up with staff feedback and this affects any changes necessary.

 

 

Increased employee engagement leading to better understanding of the council’s strategic plan and priorities.

 

Staff

 

Annually

 

Low

 

Putting People First

 

Support HR with their programme of co-ordinated staff communication and engagement activities including - team talks, Staff Forum, health and wellbeing week, and STRIVE awards etc.

 

 

Increased employee engagement leading to better understanding of the council’s strategic plan and priorities.

 

Staff

Councillors

 

Ongoing

 

Low

 

Putting People First

 

Improve regular communication with councillors to include advance notice of council events and staffing changes

 

 

Improved engagement with Members

 

Councillors

 

As appropriate

 

Medium

 

Putting People First

 

Continue to hold regular member sounding board meetings to ensure

Councillors have a chance to share their views on officer projects.

 

 

Improved engagement with Members

 

Councillors

 

When required

 

Medium

 

Putting People First

 

Launch phase 2 of the intranet ensuring the site continues to offer features and functionality that staff require

 

 

Improved digital communication with staff so they can find information easily and understand what our key priorities are.

 

Staff

Councillors

 

October 2017

 

High

 

Putting People First