Media and Publicity Protocols

How To Find Out About What's New In Your Council

 

Barnsley Council undertakes to maintain a full and steady flow of information to the news media to ensure:

continued public awareness of the services provided by the authority and the functions it performs;

advance and ongoing publicity on matters of public interest; and

those affected by the Council's decisions, policies and priorities are given the information necessary to understand them and to have a real and informed say about them.

 

Eligibility

 

Not applicable

 

Procedure

 

The principle of Cabinet and Full Council decision-making and accountability will be by reflected in the Council's media liaison arrangements. In particular media statements on Cabinet decisions will be made by the appropriate Cabinet spokesperson. Interviews on Cabinet decisions will be given by the appropriate Cabinet member.

The continuing role of the Full Council is recognised in the Council's communication with the Media.

The work of the Council's Scrutiny Commissions is an important and integral part of the democratic arrangements for the purposes of media liaison. In particular:

• media statements and interviews on Scrutiny matters will be made by the chairperson of the relevant commission
  
• Scrutiny Commission press releases will be issued by the Press Office in the standard format.

The work of local councillors is recognised as an important contributor to the Council's community leadership role. Advice is available to local members in order to promote local issues through the media. Council publicity will not, however, personalise such issues.

The work of the regulatory boards (Planning, Licensing, Standards and Probity, and Appeals, Admission and Awards) is acknowledged as an important element, and key decisions will be publicised in consultation with relevant spokespersons.

The general policy of Barnsley Council is one of openness and accessibility towards the news media. Cabinet spokespersons will take the lead on media interviews and statements on Cabinet decisions. Officers may speak to the media within clearly defined parameters on operational matters. Media liaison should at all times be carried out via the Communications department.

Underpinning all aspects of this protocol is the general principal,enshrined in government legislation, that the Council will not involve itself in any publicity that appears to be designed to affect public support for a political party.

The period between the notice of an election and the election itself precludes proactive publicity in all its forms of candidates and other politicians involved directly in the election. Publicity cannot deal with controversial issues or report views, proposals or recommendations in such a way that identifies them with individual members or groups of members.

However, it is acceptable for the authority to respond in appropriate circumstances to events and legitimate service enquiries provided their answers are factual and not party political. Members holding key political positions should be able to comment in an emergency or where there is a genuine need for a member-level response to an important event outside the authority's control.

 

Helplines

 

If you have any queries please contact the Communitions Team on (01226) 773442, or email pressoffice@barnsley.gov.uk

 

Charges/Fees

 

Free of charge.

 

Methods of payment available

 

Not applicable.

 

Opening Times/Locations

 

The Press Office is open between 8.45am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

It is located at

Room 166
Communications
Town Hall
Barnsley
South Yorkshire
S70 2TA

 

How the customer can help

 

Not applicable.

 

Application form references

 

Not applicable.

 

Leaflets

 

None available.

 

Distribution points

 

Not applicable.

 

Legislation

 

Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity.

 

Response times/Next steps

 

Not applicable.

 

Out of hours procedure

 

If you have any queries please use the following email address and we will contact you as soon as possible: pressoffice@barnsley.gov.uk

 

Owner officer contact details

 

Public Relations Officer
Communications
Room 166
Town Hall
Barnsley
S70 2TA

Telephone (01226) 773442

Email: pressoffice@barnsley.gov.uk

 

Additional notes

 

Not applicable.

 

Frequently asked questions

 

To be identified.

 

Related Links:

• BMBC Press Releases

Last modified on 16/9/2008