Communications and Media Office

The Communications Office provides information services to the elected members, staff, media and the general public, as well as providing administrative support to the Cathaoirleach.

CONTACT MAGAZINE

Sligo Local Authorities publish a quarterly magazine for the general public, ‘Contact’, which provides news and information from Sligo Borough Council and Sligo County Council. The magazine is available from a network of outlets throughout the county. An on-line version of the magazine is available on www.sligococo.ie, and an ‘audio file’ of the magazine is also produced.

e-CONTACT

To supplement the quarterly magazine, the Communications Office publishes a monthly e-newsletter. e-Contact is circulated to individuals and groups who register their interest on-line. A ‘hard copy’ of the e-newsletter is also available to those without access to a computer.

- Launch of Podcast

SLIGO PODCAST A FIRST FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES

In December 2007 Sligo Local Authorities launched a podcast, which allows people access a broadcast of news and information on-line. The launch was attended by the Mayor Councillor Jonathan McGoldrick, Leas Cathaoirleach Councillor Martin Baker, and Chairman of the Sligo branch of People with Disabilities, Ireland (PWDI), Brian Crummy, and Head of Assistive Technology, HSE, Bob Murphy.

The first broadcast in the series featured a road safety message, seasonal environmental tips, emergency contact numbers for the Christmas holidays, advice on fire safety in the home, together with a preview of the major projects planned by the Sligo Local Authorities for 2008.

Leas Cathaoirleach Councillor Martin Baker sees the facility as an opportunity to deliver news to a wider audience. ‘An increasing number of people access news and entertainment on-line, and the launch of our podcast enables us to deliver important public service information to a listening audience.’

Brian Crummy, Chairman of Sligo branch of People with Disabilities Ireland (PWDI) says the podcast ‘is a very welcome initiative which will be a valuable resource for people with disabilities who wish to access information in this medium. Sligo Local Authorities already produce an audio-file CD of their quarterly magazine and other important publications, and the podcast is an excellent addition to their range of information services in the area of assistive technology.’

The production of the podcast and the training of the Sligo Local Authorities project team was delivered by All Points West, managed by Jho Harris and Sinead McClure. According to Sinead ‘Having worked in the broadcast sector for many years and been involved in teaching radio skills to a number of groups in Sligo and beyond, All Points West Media Services consider the vehicle of broadcast though the internet in the form of podcasting to be a very useful tool.

“When Sligo Local Authories approached us to come on board with the Podcast inniative we were quickly impressed with their innovation and determination to highlight the myriad of services that come under the umbrella of the City and County Council. To our knowledge this is a first for a local authority and these podcasts will become a necessary addition to the local authorities remit for reaching the public, while utilising a 21st Century technology in an informal but informative manner.”

All Points West’s Jho Harris envisages great potential for the podcast. ‘At the heart of these broadcasts is a very committed and talented team of people who will make the Podcast both enjoyable and informative and it will become a valuable outlet for public service information from the Sligo Local authorities.’

WEBSITE

The Communications Office works with the Information Technology section to maintain and update the Sligo local authorities’ websites. The sites provide on-line access to application forms and guidelines, contact details for all the services, weekly roads report, monthly news digest, and all the current advertisements and recruitment notices. The sites have been upgraded to ensure they are accessible to people with visual impairment and people with co-ordination difficulties, and a newly introduced contact management system means the site can facilitate presentation of the information in other languages.

OPEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE

Under its ‘Open Local Government’ initiative, local school children invited to County Hall to attend a monthly meeting of the Council. The children also attend a presentation on the role and services of the Council, and are given an information pack of brochures, newsletters and reports. In 2007 the programme was expanded to include a special programme for people with disabilities produced in conjunction with the ‘Northwest Parents and Friends Association.’

- Cathaoirleach Awards Programme of Events

CATHAOIRLEACH’S AWARDS

The Cathaoirleach’s Awards Scheme was introduced in 2000 to reward the many volunteers in County Sligo who have given special service to their community.

The award winners in 2007 were:

ARTS:

Rosaleen Holland

ENVIRONMENT:

Kieran McGill

HERITAGE:

Partick McCarrick

COMMUNITY:

Christopher Davis

SPORTS:

Eithne Clancy

NATIONAL SCHOOLS:

St. Mary’s Immaculate Girls N.S

CIVIC EVENTS

The Communications Office co-ordinated arrangements for a number of receptions at County Hall during 2007, including:

• Sligo Athletes, Special Olympics Athletes (to honour those who attended the Special Olympics world summer games)
• Anne Killoran, founder of Gallagher House
• Lord Bill Brett, former chair of the International Labour Organisation and Trade Union leader
• U-16 Ladies GAA Team, Connaught Champions and All-Ireland finalists.
  

STAY IN TOUCH

To register for news and information updates from the Sligo Local Authorities, visit www.sligococo.ie, e-mail communications@sligococo.ie or phone 071 9111016.