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Communications

We recognise the importance of good communication at North Dorset and want to make sure it is at the heart of everything we do.

Our work on communications is steered by our Communications Strategy 2008 (pdf, 159kb) (opens in a new window) . The Communications Manager aims to promote best practice in communication but we recognise that it is the responsibility of all staff and councillors to communicate effectively with our customers and partners.

Our communications work covers the following areas:

Corporate branding

At North Dorset we aim to ensure there is a consistent and properly used corporate style and brand for the council on everything from literature to buildings and vehicles.

Having a strong brand is more than just having a badge. Our brand reflects the fact that we have a clear understanding of what we are doing, why we are doing it and how we are achieving it.

This helps us to project the council in a positive, unified and consistent way which reflects our professionalism and commitment to providing quality services to the people of North Dorset.

We are working towards a consistent, high standard for communications materials which is accessible to everyone within an overall ethos of diversity and inclusion.

Public Relations

We use a variety of methods to keep North Dorset people informed about the council, highlight its achievements and protect its reputation.

News items are head-lined on the front page with links through to more detailed press releases in the Dorset Newsroom. We also liaise with the local media to ensure that articles about our business are fair and balanced. We aim to ensure the whole council adopts a consistent approach to the way it communicates.

Open Line is a magazine for residents about council business and life in North Dorset. We publish Open Line when we feel there is significant news or information to impart. Electronic versions of open lineare available to download.

Media Relations

At North Dorset we recognise the importance of the local media in communicating information about our work and the role of the media in the local community as a whole.

We aim to foster good relationships with media organisations to ensure fair and informative coverage of council news.

Our latest press releases can be viewed in our Newsroom.

Why not check out the latest news in the Daily Echo or Blackmore Vale Magazine. North Dorset is also served by Midwest Radio broadcasting from Yeovil with local news bulletins every hour and BBC Radio Solent.

Internal communications

We want to make sure that our employees and Elected Members receive accurate and timely information about our activities.

Employees receive information through a weekly cascade briefing system called Team Brief. Through Team Brief employees are also able to feed information up through the organisation. There is also an employee representative group called The Sounding Board which can be used to disseminate information and consult staff on important issues. Employees have access to the intranet throughout their time at work.

Councillors receive a weekly Members Newsletter as well as having access to the intranet.

It is important that everyone who works for us has the opportunity and appropriate mechanism to express their views.

© North Dorset

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