The council's Cabinet on 2 February 2006 approved the first ever protocol on written communications. Prepared by chief executive Simon Driver, it covers all written communications by staff intended for both internal and external audiences.
The protocol makes clear that written communications comprise a wide range of materials that staff are involved in preparing, for example:
- News releases
- Responses to media requests from ‘authorised’ officers
- Internal communications and People newsletter
- Publications, letters and emails
- Direct magazine
- Website
- Intralinc
- Cabinet, Cabinet member and Full Council reports
- Scrutiny and Regulatory Committee reports
- Briefing material, correspondence, memos and emails
- Consultation, promotional and marketing material
- Recruitment advertising.
The protocol seeks to ensure all officer-prepared written communications, achieve:
- Honest and responsible regard for the public interest
- Reliable, accurate, objective and measured information
- A commitment to never knowingly mislead internal and external audiences, including councillors, the media, employees, senior officers and council taxpayers
- Political neutrality
- High standards in public life.
It makes clear that officers must always consider:
- Style and content
- The timing and other circumstances of publication
- The likely effect on those to whom it is intended
- Political neutrality
- Balance, accuracy and reliability.
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