Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director of Corporate Communications and External Affairs.

Members received a report of the Executive Director of Corporate Communications and External Affairs regarding an update on the Department’s work.

Members of the Sub-Committee were informed that the Corporate Communications and External Affairs Transformation Programme was well underway and Members of the Sub-Committee had been invited to one-to-ones to discuss the strategy. Over 70 engagement sessions had so far been held as had two workshops and an external review of digital channels and brand and stakeholder mapping was taking place for the first time. An update would be submitted to the February 2024 meeting.

In the discussion, the following points were made:

·       The City Belonging Project proactive engagement was taking place across the City. Members commented that engagement could be broadened and widened and more resident engagement should take place. An Officer stated that the work would ensure that opportunities in the square mile were open to as many residents as possible and that there was a wider community offer in place.

·       Partnering would be considered once the centre of excellence and its governance around the head of profession was in place.

·       The soft power that the sports engagement programme delivered was significant. Internal communications with Members and Officers in relation to the understanding of the sports strategy would be part of the strategic review. A Member commented that there was no reference to in-house City of London facilities in the sports engagement update. An Officer stated that the report referred to the review being carried out by the sport consultation around facility provision and this was an ongoing piece of work.

·       Officers were congratulated on their hard work including their work in relation to the party conferences, the City Belonging project, the party conferences and sports engagement.

RESOLVED, That the report be noted.