COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, December 10, 2012
MOTION NO. 7
MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell
To ask that Management explore and pilot test opportunities and means of communicating with the general public so that Council initiatives on such occasions as Halloween, Social Credit System, Seminars, Review of Policy e.g. on litter, parks, parking bye-laws etc. as there is a significant disconnect between the LA and the population it serves that cannot be addressed in an urban environment by public representatives alone?
REPORT:
South Dublin County Council is committed to ensuring that accurate, timely and relevant council information is made available to our citizens, elected members and council staff. At present that council utilises a wide range of communication channels to ensure information is accessible and interesting to all audiences. In 2013, the Council will undertake to commence the process for the production of a revised Corporate Communications Plan.This document will aim to outline South Dublin County Council’s strategy for improving and measuring communication processes and their cost effectiveness across the organisation . It will identify the areas of corporate communication that need be addressed in consultation with the elected members and citizens of South Dublin County. Effective communication is a controlled and managed process, with responsibility for communication being shared across the organisation. Good communication is at the heart of good customer service, and this communication plan will be developed to support the council’s customer services policies and procedures.
The ultimate aim of our external communication is that all residents, business customers and partner organisations that deal with the council will have a clear understanding and a positive perception of our:
· Aims
· Values
· Services
· Achievements
Channels of Communication:
Council/Library Websites
On average there are 180,000 page views of the Council Website per month. In December 2012, South Dublin County Council will launch the new corporate Website www.sdublincoco.ie. The site has been redeveloped using an open source content management solution, in line with Local Government Efficiency Review Shared Services strategy for Website Content Management. In line with international trends, government department websites are moving towards a service / task based menu layout and away from the traditional ‘departmental’ structure, enabling the citizen to see at a glance what service or information they require.
The library website front page was also redesigned in 2012 in order to streamline navigation and to highlight book, literacy and children’s services. With over 2.6 million hits in 2012 the website is a vital information tool for communities and offers ‘always open’ services.
Social Media Platforms
During 2012, the Council continued to utilise and develop the council’s social media sites to promote and communicate information and services to the community. Social media provides us with an opportunity to engage in conversations with our citizens and respond to criticism and misinformation through effective media monitoring. In times of limited financial resources, social media is relatively inexpensive and enables the local authority to increase our message reach in the community. Since 2009, we have developed these resources and trained our staff to provide real time information, create awareness campaigns and promote civic events. Our aim is to deliver real citizen centred services by sharing information and receiving feedback from our citizens. The Council provides information about the many traditional services we deliver and our innovative initiatives in the areas of the Arts, Libraries, Social Inclusion, Sports and Recreation, Business/Community Development, Road Safety and Environmental Awareness Programmes. Social Media provides the Council with a wonderful opportunity to share this information with a wider audience at relatively little cost. The Council now has in excess of 3,200 Twitter followers with more than 1,600 Facebook accounts ‘liking’ the Council's page and receiving updates and nearly half a million visitors have viewed our Digital Media Campaign -‘Tackle Litter’ on the Council’s YouTube Channel.
Corporate Magazines/ Brochures
In June 2012 ‘South Dublin County Today Magazine’ was produced, this publication aims to promote local democracy and the many community, business and educational services/initiatives that the Council delivers to enhance the quality of life opportunities for our citizens. In April 2012 South Dublin Libraries published the spring/summer issue of ‘Off the Shelf,’ a new magazine designed to highlight a selection of the latest programmes, collections and services. The newsletter promotes the cultural profile of South Dublin County attracting new audiences and partners to our libraries. It is envisaged to make ‘Off the Shelf’ into a bi-annual publication. In additional brochures and leaflets on Council services are distributed widely throughout the County through the library services network, community centres, arts/sporting/leisure facilities, County Hall and Civic Centre Clondalkin.
Local and National Press
The Council aims to develop and maintain good relationships with the national and local media. In 2012 over 400 media queries were processed and 125 press releases issued providing information on council initiatives and services.
Events /Launches
Over 200 events were attended by the Mayor’s Office in 2012, reflecting the council’s interaction with local community groups, schools, businesses and other public bodies.
In addition to the above, the Council also utilises the following communications channels: - Advertising in the national and local press, Telephony Systems (SMS), Smart Signs, Visits to and from Schools and 3rd Level Institutes, Community Groups and Partner Agencies.