Public Sector: The Week in Public Sector

Portsmouth city council is seeking advice from other councils in order to bring together a set of communications protocols. It has already received advice from Kerrier District Council and Westminster City Council. The document will cover everything from media management to marketing, comms campaigns, publications, use of images and legal issues affecting local government communications, including FOI. Portsmouth corporate comms officer Charlotte Smith said: 'We already have procedures in place. The protocol is about bringing everything together in one document.'

- The local government association has revealed that many people are largely unaware of the services that councils provide. More than three in five people did not realise their council provided dog wardens and swimming lessons, or that it promoted tourism - and fewer than half of those questioned realised that councils were responsible for food safety in restaurants.

- Essex county council has appointed Giles Roca as permanent head of media and marketing. Roca has filled the role on an interim basis since December and has led headline-grabbing campaigns against post office closures and plans to open a second runway at Stansted Airport.

- The council for advancement and support of education europe has named Kate Hunter as its new executive director. The organisation represents professionals who work in alumni relations, communications, fundraising, marketing and other areas in education. Hunter is head of corporate comms at Queen Mary, University of London.

- The london borough of hillingdon has won four awards at the Good Communications Awards 2008, including the top award of Local Authority of the Year. The corporate comms team was also named Local Authority Public Relations Team of the Year. Hillingdon head of corporate comms David Holdstock has recently been appointed as the new chairman of LGComms.

For breaking public sector news, check prweek.com/uk/publicsector.