Jane Warne, Communications and Visitor Economy Manager, will provide members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee with a verbal update on Communications – Service Monitoring.
Minutes:
Jane Warne, Communications and Visitor Economy Manager, provided members with a verbal update on Communications – Service Monitoring and a summary document for members to read.
She provided members with updates on several communications and visitor economy matters between April 2024 and August 2024, as well as highlighting the important priorities for the remainder of 2024.
It was highlighted that a press release had been created on the potential Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) airborne chemical contamination within the Hillhouse Industrial Estate. Sampling of land in the vicinity of the site was expected to take place in September 2024. Ten email enquiries had been received by the Environmental Health team and regular updates on the website and drop-in sessions were being made available for residents.
Almost 2000 people attended the Wanderland 2024 festival, with the Wanderland 2025 Festival expected to be bigger and better, with less reliance on external companies and providers to reduce outlay.
A brand-new Communications Plan was being worked up, which would enable statistical reporting on the work being undertaken by the Communications Team to be brought to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the 14 April 2025.
Members provided several comments and questions, which are summarised below:
•Councillor Atkins queried how Wyre Council was communicating key messages with the public. Common themes were picked up through observing activity on social media and designing campaigns around specific trends. Media releases and narratives were also utilised, one example was regular updates on waste management and collection services.
•On communicating with residents who do not use social media, Jane explained that a diverse range of other communication channels were used to ensure campaigns were inclusive. Examples were the use of branded material on council vehicles, specific teams such as the Climate Change Team attending local events, distributing pulse surveys and publishing articles within school newsletters and local papers.
•A representative from the Communications Team would be able to attend upcoming meetings of the Waste and Recycling Task Group once it was officially approved by members of the Climate Change Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee.
•Phase two of the Discover Wyre website would offer new features. Lists of accommodation, hospitality and events packages were planned. Film and TV advertisement recording locations would also feature as a new section.
•Jane responded to a question from Councillor Amos regarding the ongoing dispute between fishermen and Associated British Ports over Jubilee Quay access.
•Ten enquiries had been received on the potential PFOA chemical contamination within the Hillhouse Industrial Estate since September 2023. It is thought that the contamination was airborne and occurred around ten years ago.
•The Environment Agency was testing the land around the site and a press release and drop-in sessions for residents had been arranged.
•Jane Warne explained that she was receiving regular updates on the historic contamination investigation from external stakeholders, such as Lancashire County Council, UKHSA and the Environmental Agency. Updates would be regularly posted on our dedicated webpage, but the process would take some time as analysis of samples was a complex and thorough process.
•Regarding the timing of the start of the investigation into the potential historic contamination, Jane Warne offered to follow up on this upon conclusion of the meeting.