Publicity material, media relations and press releases
The Council’s Communications and Marketing Team will follow the same principles as other Officers of the Council in serving Elected Members impartially. They will also follow the Local Authority Code on Recommended Practice for Local Authority Publicity.
Appropriate press releases and publicity material will be prepared and distributed. Where any conflict exists publicity will incorporate a balanced and accurate account of the outcome of the formally constituted meetings. Communications and Marketing Officers will observe the provisions of the code of recommended practice on Local Authority publicity. One of the key provisions of the code is that the opinions of individual Elected Members cannot be promoted unless they are speaking on behalf of the Council.
Communications and Marketing Officers will continue, therefore, to incorporate in press releases only the views of individuals holding posts, which authorise them to speak on behalf of the Council. Communications and Marketing Officers will, however, offer informal advice to all Elected Members on media relations.
In accordance with the general provisions on confidentiality, both Officers and Elected Members will refrain from making confidential information available to the media.
Draft press releases will be finalised following consultation with any Member who is to be quoted.
Photographic services will be available for major civic events and at other events where budgetary provision has been identified.
Elected Members communicating with the media in any form, including social media, will not make references to Officers which are personal in nature or could be construed as offensive. Any matters relating to individual performance by an Officer of the Council should be raised through the appropriate mechanisms and not in the media. Officers who are in communication with the media in the course of their employment will similarly refrain from any such references to Elected Members. Elected Members are encouraged to check the factual accuracy of any media submissions with the appropriate Officer. Factually inaccurate statements mislead the public and may damage the reputation of anyone who is the subject of, or associated with, such inaccuracies.