Nene Valley News

Nene Valley News is the community newspaper produced by East Northamptonshire Council. It is published fortnightly and delivered by direct distribution to each household in the district. Supplies are also made available to other community outlets. Design, production and distribution are by appointed contractor, with editorship by the council.

Aims The newspaper’s principal aims are to provide information to the residents of East Northamptonshire about the services, decisions and policies of East Northamptonshire Council and to publicise events which take place at council venues. Action taken by central government or other agencies that may affect the council's activities can also be reported, as can issues relevant to the broader well-being of residents. In achieving these aims, Nene Valley News will deliver the following outcomes:

 Well informed residents  High customer perception of ability to influence council decision-making

The newspaper contributes to the following corporate outcomes:

 Good quality of life in East Northamptonshire  Good reputation with customers  Council services which provide good value for money  Effective partnership working  Strong community leadership  Knowledge of our customers and communities

Nene Valley News will achieve this through:

 Enabling East Northamptonshire Council to establish an effective two way dialogue with those who live and work in the area  Communicating a sense of vision and direction for East Northamptonshire, the council and its partners  Reflecting and reinforcing a positive reputation for East Northamptonshire Council and the image and values of East Northamptonshire  Improving the quality of life of residents by carrying news, advice and information about, and promoting, council and other appropriate services  Encouraging active participation in district life, through engagement in consultation and other local democratic processes  Playing a vital role in public consultation and market research, by publicising information, issues and proposals and ensuring Nene Valley News itself is a key route for feeding the results of consultation to citizens

D:\Docs\2018-04-18\0532cdab94e92767cd2d6d2d53a7b8a9.doc August 2009  Providing a value for money vehicle for local firms and businesses to promote their local goods and services and job opportunities within the area

Editorial policy Nene Valley News is concerned only with agreed council policy and is not expected to report all sides of debates that lead to particular decisions being made. Similarly the newspaper is not used as a medium for conducting debates that should take place in council meetings. The council’s Communications Manager acts as the Editor of Nene Valley News. The editor, in consultation with the Head of Policy & Community Development, has final responsibility for the content of the newspaper. The editor is responsible for decisions on the design and style of the magazine, for ensuring that production and distribution deadlines are met and for managing the contract and overall budget for Nene Valley News. The editor is also responsible for ensuring that the newspaper reflects at all times the council’s Equality and Anti-Discrimination Policy, in particular through the availability of the paper in alternative formats and ensuring equality when dealing with complaints and comments.

In assessing priorities for inclusion of news stories, the Editor will take into account:

 Topicality/reader interest  Usefulness to the reader  Benefit to the council  Exclusivity  Relevance / benefit to the community/disadvantaged groups  Partner contributions

In assessing priorities for inclusion of feature material – both regular and individual – Nene Valley News will take into account the same criteria as above, but with some relaxation on grounds of topicality.

Within the confines of the above, Nene Valley News will endeavour to include a broad range of material which, taken over a number of issues, will achieve a fair balance between corporate, service and community activities. It will seek to ensure a fair balance between all services, but with a clear emphasis on front line services. The following space and banners have been agreed for service activities on a regular basis:

 Greenscene - 1/2 page  Artscene - 1 page  Out and About - 1 ½ page  Sport and Leisure - 1/2 page

D:\Docs\2018-04-18\0532cdab94e92767cd2d6d2d53a7b8a9.doc August 2009  Business Briefing - 1/4 page  Safer Communities - 1/2 page

Heads of Service are expected to notify the editor of potential conflict between what is happening in their service area and advertising/promotion in Nene Valley News eg food safety notices for pubs and restaurants, legal action being taken, etc.

Nene Valley News carries commercial advertising to offset overall production costs. The sale of this space – a ratio of 40:60 of editorial of each issue – is the responsibility of the contractor's in-house team. The contractor keeps the revenue from sales, which is reflected in the price for the contract. Inserts are only accepted from partner organisations or for community based activities and kept to an absolute minimum. Each is considered individually on its own merits. Commercial 'junk mail' type inserts are not accepted – there have been complaints from deliverers and parents about the weight of the bags and they tend to create litter problems. The council does not currently receive any income from inserts; this goes to the distribution company.

Nene Valley News will at all times seek to abide by the Government's Code of Practice on Local Authority Publicity, the Code of Practice for Civic Newspapers approved by the Institute of Public Relations, SOLACE and the London Government Public Relations Association and any other appropriate legislation.

D:\Docs\2018-04-18\0532cdab94e92767cd2d6d2d53a7b8a9.doc August 2009