Improving Communications in Whitchurch

Whitchurch Town Council is to have a new Communications team

What is the best way to share news, opinions and ideas?

There is no doubt that the Town Council has gone through an unfortunate rocky patch with the recent resignations, together with the associated press and social media fallout.

There has been a massive change with half the Council having joined in the last seven months - with SIX new volunteer Councillors elected or co-opted.
 
This means new ideas and approaches may come to the fore – and good communication becomes even more important than ever. All public bodies needs to be open and approachable or they cannot serve the people it represents. 
Whitchurch Town Council should be no different.

Effective communication builds trust and confidence and can generate wider interest, increase active involvement, and improve greater understanding within the town about 'how it works'. After all, who fully knows who is responsible what, be in Town, Borough or County?

THE PLANS

I thought I would present a proposal to the Town Council – pleasingly it was accepted.

Over the coming months improvements are to be made in how the Town Council communicates with local residents with a small team being established to oversee this.

This is a chance for local people to be more involved.

Amongst the plans there will be production of a simple and easily read news bulletin to highlight the work of the Town Council and its responsibilities. Personal contact is to be encouraged together with opportunities to tour the Town Hall and ask questions of Councillors.
In addition online presence will be developed with greater use of social media channels, something that has had some discussion on the town's Facebook pages.

It is hoped to promote a culture of openness, accessibility, and two-way communication – and with it an improved understanding of the role of the Town Council in our wonderful town.

It won't happen overnight and will be a slow process but the whole town could work together on this. 

If anyone has any suggestions as to how they would like this to develop, please be in touch.