REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: June 27, 2023 Report No. ADM-23-026
TO: Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Tara Zajac, Manager of Communications
SUBJECT:
Title
Media Relations Policy ADMIN-70
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council rescind Council Policy ADMIN-70 Media Relations Policy.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Communications Policy (M-ADM-12)
Social Media Use Policy (M-ADM-11)
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
Good Governance and Organizational Excellence; Strong Relationships and Partnerships; Engaged and Healthy Community
BACKGROUND:
The Media Relations Policy has not been updated since 2015. Some contents of the policy are dated as compared to today’s media landscape and therefore the changes to our current policy are recommended. The policy is also highly prescriptive about best practices in the process, which is out of scope for most policies and as a result it is recommended that those sections be removed.
The existing Media Relations Policy is a Council Policy, meaning that changes need to be approved by Council. The Communications Policy (M-ADM-12) and Social Media Use Policy (M-ADM-11) are Management Policies and this proposed change will bring the suite of policies into alignment under the Management Policy designation.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
Management Policies are operational in nature and do not need to go before Council, rather they are approved by the Chief Administrative Officer. It is recommended that the current Council Policy be rescinded, and the attached Management Policy be implemented in its place. With the changes proposed to this policy, it will streamline direction on how staff should work with media and streamline the process for future edits.
2. Organizational Implications
If this policy is designated as a Management Policy rather than a Council Policy, then staff can make changes directly (with CAO approval) as operationally required.
3. Financial Implications
There are no financial implications.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
There are no sustainability or environmental implications.
5. Communication & Engagement
The updated policy will be added to the staff intranet. The previous version will be stored as an archived Municipal record.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That Council rescind Council Policy ADMIN-70 Media Relations Policy.
2. That Council request further information from staff.