DRAFT - Communication Strategy
Worthing Economic Development Strategy

Introduction

The purpose of the Communication Strategy is to establish a framework for Worthing Borough Council to develop an Economic Development Strategy.

Aims

The Communication Strategy aims to:

• Identify the core principles and methods for consulting with stakeholders in a consistent and inclusive manner
• Actively engage stakeholders to develop an effective Economic Development Strategy
• Provide a dynamic two-way consultation process, which encourages involvement and facilitates feedback

General Guiding Principles

The following principles will guide all aspects of communication undertaken during the Economic Development Strategy consultation process.  Worthing Borough Council is committed to:

• Acting in an open and transparent manner
• Providing meaningful and timely communication
• Communicating in a clear, concise and inclusive manner
• Working in partnership with all stakeholders
• Promoting high quality communications

Stakeholders

The Economic Development Team will invite representatives from the stakeholder list below.  The representatives will be asked to participate in events throughout the consultation process and work in partnership to deliver the Economic Development Strategy:

• Local MP’s
• West Sussex County Councillors
• Worthing Borough Councillors
• West Sussex County Council Officer
• Worthing Borough Council Officers
• Worthing Chamber of Commerce
• Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)
• Worthing First
• Town Centre Initiative (TCI)
• Major Worthing Employers
• Worthing Businesses
• Community Voluntary Services (CVS)
• Surrounding Local Authority Officers
• Government Officer of the South East (GOSE)
• South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)
• Learning and Skills Council (LSC)
• Sussex Enterprise
• Business Link
• Highways Agency
• Coastal West Sussex (CWS)
• West Sussex Economic Partnership (WSEP)
• West Sussex Sustainable Business Partnership (WSSBP)
• Tourism South East
• Sussex Tourism Partnership
• Local Strategic Partnership (LSP)
• Worthing Action Group (WAG)
• Police
• Fire
• Primary Health Care Trust (PCT)
• Registered Social Landlords (RSL’s)
• Youth Services
• Community Groups
• Youth Council
• Worthing Residents
• Commercial Estate Agents
• Developers and Investors
• Education and Training Providers
• Higher Education Providers
• Public Transport Providers
• Utility Providers

Core Focus Group

The Economic Development Team will establish core focus groups from the stakeholder list, to address specific issues and options.  Members of the core focus groups will be asked to play an active role in the delivery of the Economic Development Strategy.

Media

• Worthing Argus
• Worthing Herald
• Splash FM
• Southern FM

Communication Methods

All methods of communication will be designed to meet the needs of the recipients, to promote effective communication.

Corporate Image

All strategy documentation and marketing will utilise the Worthing Borough Council logo. 

Stakeholders

Worthing Borough Council is committed to developing an Economic Development Strategy in partnership with its stakeholders, to encourage business growth within the Borough.  Stakeholders will be actively encouraged to participate in the design and decision making process.

Direct Contact

The Economic Development Team will establish a list of key contacts from local groups and organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors.  Their views will be actively pursued as part of the consultation/decision making process.

Promotion

Worthing Borough Council’s Economic Development Team will be responsible for coordinating the release of all information, regarding the Economic Development Strategy consultation process.  The Economic Development Team will liaise with Worthing Borough Council’s Communications Manager, to facilitate the release of information to the local media.

Publications

Where appropriate the Economic Development Team will utilise the following mediums to inform stakeholders, with clear and jargon free information:

• Articles (Business Matters and Vibe)
• Newsletters
• Leaflets
• Posters
• Mail shots

Website & Electronic Communication

Wherever possible, email will be used as a significant source for communication to stakeholders.

To allow access to both internal and external stakeholders, information will be posted on the business pages of the Worthing Borough Council website at www.worthing.gov.uk

Events

Where appropriate the Economic Development Team will organise events, exhibitions and workshops to provide opportunities for stakeholder involvement and feedback throughout the consultation process.

Implementation

The Economic Development Team will seek stakeholder feedback on the draft Communication Strategy in August 2008, prior to implementing the final document in October 2008. 

Evaluation

At the end of this process the stakeholders will be asked to evaluate the Communication Strategy, to determine whether the following outputs were achieved:

• Raise awareness of the Economic Development Strategy consultation process
• Promote a positive and consistent message of Worthing Borough Council's commitment to business development
• Promote the Economic Development Strategy to develop Worthing as a thriving borough where people want to Live, Work and Invest.
  

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