The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham's communications team is
set to double in size as part of a raft of measures to improve
communications.
Both an internal review and a Best Value inspection this year concluded
that more needed to be done to improve the council's corporate identity
and boost its local and national profile.
As a result, the council has restructured the department and recruited
former London Borough of Waltham Forest PR head Jane Bufton as its first
head of corporate communications.
She is tasked with formulating a national and local media relations
strategy and overseeing a doubling of the five-strong team. This brings
together design, PR and public affairs in the same department for the
first time and includes recruiting two additional PROs.
Changes also include the promotion of PRO Melissa Hoskins to become
deputy head of corporate communications.
Bufton said: 'My main priorities are to raise local pride and profile of
the Barking and Dagenham council the length and breadth of the country.
This is a little-known council that has achieved a lot and is improving
at a fast rate.'
Bufton, who reports to borough policy officer John Tatam, added that one
way she aims to raise the profile locally is to attempt to gain
increased media coverage of CEO Graham Farrant and council leader
Charles Fairbrass.
- North Yorkshire County Council has appointed Clare Walker as its first
head of communications.
The council has created the post to co-ordinate marketing and PR across
the council. She heads a team of five and reports to director of
business and consumer services Gordon Gresty.
Walker's priorities include creating a corporate identity and improving
public consultation and internal comms.
