Working Groups

  • Communications & PR

  • CCTV

  • Governance

  • Strategic Plan

  • Outdoor Sport & Leisure

  • North of Ely Hub & Community

  • Inclusivity

  • Neighbourhood Plan Review

Communications & Public Relations

AIMS 

The working group was set up to consider the effectiveness of current internal and external communications and public relations in order to identify appropriate distribution channels to reach key stakeholders and develop effective communication materials as required.

ROLE

This is a consultative group, reporting to the Personnel, Finance and Governance Committee (PFGC), in relation to developing communication and public relations strategies in response to the issues identified.

To develop and facilitate a planned approach to communications.

To make recommendations to (PFGC) on the most appropriate and best practice strategies for communication and public relations.

To develop effective distribution channels to key stakeholders.

MEMBERSHIP

The Working Group comprises of 5 councillors.

Original Research undertaken included the following:

  • To investigate the current effectiveness of our internal and external communications.
  • To identify the communication needs of our internal and external stakeholders.
  • To investigate the different methods of communication distribution methods available which best suit the identified needs.
  • To identify a costed business plan for any addition requirements.
  • To identify training needs for implementation of any new systems.

ACTION TO DATE

 The group is currently working on:

  • Implementation of the new website.
  • Introduction of the Mayor’s Community Forum
  • Identifying best methods to reach and obtain views of our stakeholders
  • Identifying the needs of internal and external stakeholders
  • Reviewing our current communications materials (purpose and effectiveness), eg letters, minutes, notices, marketing materials, website, surveys
  • Reviewing our media coverage
  • Investigating different methods of communication available using new technologies, ie purpose, content, effectiveness, costs.

CCTV

In 2008 East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) in partnership with the City of Ely Council, Soham Town Council and the local Constabulary, successfully transferred the monitoring of the cameras in Ely and Soham from Cambridge City County Council, saving local taxpayers £100,000 each year, whilst significantly improving access to the CCTV by local police.

ECDC and Soham Town Council subsequently withdrew from the partnership and the final stage, which will save a further £40,000 each year, has been to move over to a modern wi-fi system.  As well as being much cheaper, the system also provides a more flexible scheme for the future and was welcomed by all partners.  A new Partnership was formed.

The purpose of the CCTV is to contribute towards ensuring that Ely’s city centre is safe from crime and social nuisance.

Monitoring of the CCTV cameras that are located around Ely, takes place in the Ely Police Station by a volunteer team, led by a Co-ordinator, and managed by the Clerk of the City Council.

The CCTV partnership is chaired by a  City of Ely Council Councillor and comprises 3 further City of Ely Councillors, representatives of the Police and the lead of  the Community Safety Partnership of the ECDC.

ELY CCTV PARTNERSHIP

CCTV covers the City Centre of Ely, the public car parks and the recreation area in St Johns Road, Ely. There are 28 cameras in total in Ely.

The control room is located at Ely Police station where all the cameras are recorded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with cameras monitored at peak periods by qualified volunteers.

AIMS OF THE SCHEME

The aim of the scheme is to reduce the level of vehicle crime, anti-social behaviour, violence, theft, criminal damage and commercial burglaries within the areas covered by the scheme.

The Ely Pub Watch and Shop Watch schemes link into the CCTV scheme via radios held by local pubs, clubs and shops, thus enabling precise targeting of actual and potential troublemakers. For more information, please see the CCTV homepage.