Anne Gregory

Gaining access

Though not every authority will have a professional public relations officer with whom to make contact for advice, virtually all will publish their own leaflets or newspapers, take comprehensive entries in the telephone directory, issue citizen’s charters and have help points or information centers in public offices such as libraries or service reception areas.
Such information may be the foundation of effective public sector relations, but for those who are not familiar with the way councils work it is an invaluable means of identifying what is going on in a community; who the main personalities are and what the local policies are on specific issues.
Each of the respective ‘tiers’ of local government also have their own associations which represent their interests at national level with government ministers, senior civil servants and other relevant national associations, pressure groups and so on.
These organizations are charged with a broad lobbying remit and as such form an influential body of opinion on behalf of their respective members. They are therefore also the prime influence and interior of policy likely to affect their member authorities.
When trying to build alliances or determine the strength of the opposition never overlook the views of the appropriate local authority. Elected councilors will want and need to be aware of something which is likely to affect their patch.
Like MPs they will act as a resourceful ally if they share your objectives. They too will want to know about the issues affecting their constituents, given that councils provide schools, planning, social services, highways, transport, leisure facilities, fire and rescue, libraries, refuse collection and so on.
And sometimes via a party political network, or simply through constituency matters, they will be in contact with local MPs to discuss issues of common concern.
Local government is, generally speaking, much more accessible to the public than central government. Council offices and services are situated in the locality, with their committees and the full council meetings – where the decisions are taken – open to the public.
Who writes the committee papers upon which so many hours are spent in public debate? The answer is, the officers – usually. Just as civil servants will advise their political bosses and act in a non-political capacity, so will council officers.
Basing their advice on professional expertise and local knowledge, they will offer elected members impartial advice.
So they, too, need to be considered an important target for information and potential alliances in public affairs activity. Be prepared to be referred to a less senior officer, even if your personal approach or letter is made to the chief officer.
Many authorities now have ‘directorates’ with a multi-disciplined person to head a multi-function department; the second or third tier official below that person is most likely to be the individual actually dealing with the matter with which you are concerned.
With major policy matters usually the appropriate service chief officer or even the chief executive personally take the lead, in conjunction with leading elected members. Grouping of local authorities are formed on areas of concern – from airport developments to economic strategies – and can be a powerful voice on the national scene, thus making them influential allies or opponents.

Содержание