Isle of Wight Council has appointed Hampshire County Council
corporate communications manager Julie Hollings to the new post of
communications head.
The council wants to review how it communicates with staff and residents
as authorities across the country implement wider public consultation on
how they provide services.
A former local newspaper and magazine production journalist, Hollings
worked for Hampshire County Council for four years, joining as
communications manager.
In her new post, she will lead a team of six and report to chief
executive Bernard Quoroll, who joined the council in January.
Hollings’ brief includes raising the council’s political profile to
enable it to contribute more to regional and national debate. She will
also review how the council communicates with its 130,000 residents,
find out where they can obtain information about the council and access
its services.
She will then work to involve them in service delivery decisions.
She will also be briefed to review how the council communicates with its
4,500 staff, with an emphasis on involving them in developing the
council’s vision.
The post will oversee the public affairs office, which employs a team of
three, led by public affairs manager George Chastney.
Hollings said: ’My priority is to look at the systems in place and the
aims of the council and look at how communications can support those
aims.’
