Communications Office - Temporary Cover
Amber Valley Borough Council

Objective
To provide cost-effective and seamless support to council officers and the media during the Communications Manager’s maternity leave.

Strategy
To provide a full pro-active and reactive media relations service - our contact details were made readily available to all AVBC staff and introductions made to the council’s key media contacts. With Jeremy Hall managing the account, he and Sarah Monsoon are quite simply ‘on call’ for whatever media issues should arise throughout the duration of the contract. Proactive media relations activity and copy-writing is carried out within a structured schedule - for example; events promotion, newsletters to staff, regular community publications.

Execution
Jeremy and Sarah both have extensive experience within local authority press teams, so, armed with all the right contacts, enjoy huge success getting information requested by the press quickly, accurately and insightfully, with minimum fuss and disruption to council members and officers alike.

Most work is carried out remotely, from our Mansfield offices, but one day each week Jeremy is based in an office at AVBC’s headquarters in Ripley, Derbyshire. Ad hoc or extraordinary meetings are attended by Jeremy or Sarah, as required.

Evaluation
At the first month review we received excellent feedback from the Council’s Chief Executive - we had quickly established good working relationships, delivered strong results in all key areas and taken ownership of this vital council function.