Introduction
The Rt Hon Greg Clark wrote a book called “Total Politics” which eventually resulted in the Localism Act 2011. The act set out to “help people and their locally elected representatives to achieve their own ambitions”. Under this act local areas can produce a development plan, which takes full account of the characteristics of the local area, and, if “adopted” (made), requires that planning applications have to take note of the policies within the adopted plan.
The Battle Civil Parish Neighbourhood Plan, has been in the formulation process for some considerable time. Its key aims are to:
- Formulate localised planning policies for the Parish of Battle which development proposals are required to comply.
- Create the conditions within the community which allow improvements on facilities and infrastructure to begin, for the benefit of the Parish.
To achieve these aims engagement with the local community during the process is vitally important. Two-way communication with all the stakeholders helps smooth the path through to the referendum ensuring that it fully reflects the needs of the community from every corner of the Parish. A consistent strategy must therefore initially be developed which gives direction to all but is constantly under review to incorporate changes as and when they occur.
It must provide the framework which determines how all media, online, marketing, publications, internal and public relations communications relating to the Battle Civil Parish Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group are formulated and presented. Our channels of communication with our stakeholders which includes residents, employees, businesses, community partnerships and all levels of the government, must be appropriate and cost-effective.
We must ensure that our messages are clear, concise and easy to understand and that they reflect the key messages that we wish to get across throughout the process at all the Battle Civil Parish Neighbourhood Plan milestones. It is also essential that we facilitate to our stakeholders all the various methods of providing feedback on any aspect of the plan and its ramifications.
Objectives
The objectives of the Communication strategy are:
- Provide better communications which meet the needs of the target audience, ensuring a better understanding of their requirements and the outcomes we deliver
- Deliver a plan which is understood by all
- Allow the community and other interested parties the opportunity to help formulate the plan
- Ensure that all stakeholders are aware of how the process works and who is taking the plan forward on their behalf
- Provide appropriate consultation and communications to all stakeholders on the progress of the Neighbourhood Plan at each and every stage which includes gathering their approval
- Engage with Rother District Council on how the consultation, set out in the statement will be carried out and how this will be evidenced from a community perspective
Principles
Our key principles are information:
- that is relevant and appropriate
- that is targeted at the right people
- that is via the right channel of communication
- that follows the key milestones and stages as set out in the plan
These principles have the following primary elements;
- Communications must meet the requirements of the message to be conveyed
- Information must be available to view
- Methodology of delivery should meet the highest possible standards
- Delivery of information should be appropriate and in plain English
- People with disabilities and where English is not their first language should be considered in the delivery options
- Transparency must be a key element
Delivery Options
These are determined from the options available by evaluating what would achieve the required aims in the most positive and credible manor to the different groups.
Delivery Mechanisms:
| Website | Local Paper Blog | Press releases |
| Minutes of meetings | Parish Magazines | Exhibitions |
| Sports Centres | Council Newsletter | Direct Mail |
| Emailing | Consultation Forums | Leaflets, Flyers & Posters |
| Networking | Local Information Boards | Events |
Our Communications Strategy
| Stakeholder | Delivery Options | Outcomes |
| Residents in Parish Area | Exhibitions / website / local paper blog | Delivered |
| Young people in Parish Area | Targeted and consultation events | Delivered |
| More mature people in Parish Area | Consultation events / website / local press / posters | Delivered |
| People with disabilities and special needs | Website / Consultation events / local press / posters | Delivered |
| Schools and colleges serving the Parish Area | Consultation events | Delivered |
| All businesses and employers in Parish Area | Website / Consultation events / Newsletters / local press / letters / email | Delivered |
| Parish Council & Councillors | Reports / Meeting minutes / Presentations | Delivered |
| Providers / Landowners / Developers / Neighbouring Parishes /Town Council /District Council / Heritage Charter group | Meetings/letters/email | Delivered |