To help create opportunities where people can succeed, be happy and feel safe.
Bracknell Forest is a small unitary authority that has big ambitions for the borough, working jointly with residents and our partners.
The Council Plan 2023 to 2027 puts residents at its core and recognises the need to grow with the community now to shape tomorrow.
Council services must champion the clear commitment to putting residents first and to grow sustainable and inclusive communities. This includes communications and marketing, so this strategy and subsequent action plans will reflect that important ambition.
Council priorities
All our communications must reflect the council’s key priorities:
Engaged and healthy communities
Thriving and connected economy
The local economy includes many different aspects, such as businesses, jobs, skills, accommodation and services.
Green and sustainable environment
Our environment includes everything around us, our parks, our cycleways and our road networks.
Delivering our ambition
An ambitious, resilient, inclusive and sustainable organisation.
They must also support the principles that underpin the overarching plan:
- equality, diversity, and inclusion
- health in all policies
- climate and sustainability
The responsibility for delivering marketing communications, in line with the ambitions in the Council Plan, lies with the council’s corporate communications and marketing team.
Council-wide routine publicity officers will also support the strategy, while the responsibility for day-to-day communications (for example letters, emails, presentations) lies with all council staff.
This strategy does not cover emergency communications, a separate plan is established for reactive and crisis communications. It also does not cover the council’s approach to community engagement or consultation but will support work in those areas.
Research and feedback
To produce this strategy, the communications and marketing team carried out extensive online research, surveys with the public and staff and several staff and councillor workshops. (See Appendix B for details). This feedback has shaped the aim, objectives and approach.
Aim
The overall aim of the strategy is to keep communities informed by sharing easy to understand and timely updates on issues and services that matter.
We will explain our decisions, clear up any misunderstandings and make sure our community knows what services the council provides.
By doing this, we hope to build trust, maintain and safeguard the council’s reputation and make sure the community feels connected and well-informed.