Issue - meetings

To receive an update on community engagement and messaging, including communication with communities and district councils.

The Executive Member of Public Health updated the Board on communications and engagement noting the recent period covered.

Key themes included testing, vaccination, and rapid testing among others.  As there was no change in lockdown status, “Stay at Home” and “Hands Face Space” messages were addressed in new and different ways, keeping people engaged and informed.  The most successful posts were around vaccination.  

Physical messaging is also in place, and on radio and local press as well.  The main area of inquiry pertains to information around return to school.  This includes safety not only at school but at school gates, journeys to and from, and an overall safe return to school.

The “Keep Going” campaign to encourage people via radio, animations, ads, targeted posters, etc. have been translated into various languages, including Bengali, Hindi, Polish, and Nepali.  The “Act Like You’ve Got It” campaign encouraged young people to stay safe and protect others around them.  Revised messaging and rules will be addressed as they change.  New Hampshire faith leaders’ videos will give residents more confidence to take the vaccine.

The key message to organizers is to engage early in planning stages for summer events and safety.  Support is available for families over the Easter break and targeted messaging circulated around public safety over Ramadan and Holi festival, as well as voting by proxy or in person.  All communications have been shared with key partners.  Many thanks to the Insight and Engagement team for their creativity and imagination with key messaging.

In response to questions, Members heard:

Vaccine hesitancy and reluctance in some population is an issue but work continues on this in terms of understanding the rationale and working with communities.  While the numbers are small, it is imperative to work harder to ensure they are not excluded or missed and to get right for everyone.   

All manner of communication to the public is being reviewed carefully alongside promoting a number of issues.  While some printer materials such as Council tax bills have already been printed or sent electronically, conversations with relevant colleagues will continue to see if Covid safety messaging can be included.  Postal votes have been encouraged though all voting options will remain available for residents.

The next formal meeting of the LOEB will take place after the elections and briefings will continue as necessary.  

The meeting ended at 10:39am.

To receive an update on community engagement and messaging, including communication with communities and district councils.

The Executive Member of Public Health updated the Board on communications and engagement noting that the Communications team continues to be engaged and active with new developments.  

Members heard that the roll out of vaccination programme and stay at home messages continuing with a well-received lock down animation that reached over 700,000 residents.  Connect to Support work carried on with children receiving meal vouchers and activities with child focused graphics over half term.  Posts about mental wellbeing advice, help for unpaid carers, and signposting for those experiencing domestic abuse remained priorities.  

There were 97 media inquiries and regarding the mobilization of the temporary mortuary, care home outbreaks, community testing, etc.  With regards to vaccinations, NHS messaging has been amplified - when and what to expect and advice on post vaccination behaviour.  Dedicated pages have supported national programme and provided signposting to the NHS information hub.  Targeted messages on vaccine hesitancy and awareness of scams have been shared to protect those vulnerable, shielding or socially isolated.  Targeted engagement for hard-to-reach BAME, Nepalese, traveller communities continue as well as outdoor media and posters in over 130 strategic points.  Upcoming priorities include plans in place with surge testing, the possible return to school, and encouraging young men to wear face coverings.  Communications targeting asymptomatic testing and the booking system are ready for launch and preparation continues for event planning ahead of the summer.

Members heard that vaccination for informal and unpaid carers is also starting with the local authority role in managing eligibility and easing access for this group.  Communication will go out next week to carers and will be managed carefully with support of practitioners as needed for eligibility, as well as voluntary sector groups engaged.

Members noted that the news has been encouraging and pushing the message to carry on following the guidance in Hampshire communities continues to be a priority.

The meeting ended at 10:45am.

To receive an update on community engagement and messaging, including communication with communities and district councils.

The Executive Member of Public Health updated the Board on communications and engagement noting the data is for the period from 1 December to 6 January.  Members heard that it has been a rapidly changing situation and communication activity and engagement has continued.  

Social media posts have reached over 1.1 million residents and they had been looking to the County Council for reliable information over Christmas, tier changes, and lockdown.  During that period, there were 150 news items and key areas of enquiry were in relation to tiers, schools, vaccinations, etc.  

NHS messaging has been amplified in collaboration with districts and parishes.  Community testing enquiries are on the rise and proactive engagement has continued with schools and nurseries.  

Looking ahead, priorities will include vaccine hesitancy, support to self-isolate and for support bubbles, mental health support for self-isolation as well as support for fuel poverty and vulnerable families.  Every Mind Matters programme, extended support hours, Connect campaign, and grants continue.  

Members thanked officers on the Communication team who have had extremely high standards with powerful imagery, new content, and consistent engagement.  In anticipation for dealing with the pandemic for some considerable time yet, messaging continues to shop safely- less often, alone, masked, and observing social distance.  Letters have gone out to all supermarkets with rules and national guidance and further public communication on this would be helpful.  

The Environmental Health Team is happy to take information from Councillors and the public to visit shops and have conversations with managers regarding any violations observed.  National chains can also be approached via the primary authority route with any issues or concerns.  It was noted that some family carers are not able to leave their children with learning disabilities at home when needing to shop and entry should not be refused to carers in these situations.

To receive an update on community engagement and messaging, including communication with communities and district councils.

The Executive Member for Public Health updated the Board on communications and engagement noting that the published report covered approximately 2 weeks since the last meeting.  Public and stakeholder engagement continues around Tier 2, Test and Trace, and financial impact of the pandemic.  The dedicated website continues to be active and visited.  Districts have been encouraged to reach out to BAME residents and an invitation to a working group.  Childcare bubble advice continues to be shared.  Responsive and targeted messaging continues to all communities and especially those at risk or difficult to reach.  Key campaigning around Christmas bubbles and local shopping continues, alongside Tier guidance, Yule rules, and Hands, Space, Face, and any new Tier announcements will be ready to run.

Current figures are encouraging but many schools, children and young people, and staff affected, but liaison between County Council and schools has been really strong and working well with good results.  Members agreed and commended teachers and staff on their efforts with positive attendance figures above national average, with support from Public Health and the Communications teams for their fantastic work.  

With regards to vaccination and communication, NHS information and local vaccination centre details will be part of the messaging.  An NHS update at the next meeting would be helpful for the Board to ensure partners are supporting critical communication and following the NHS leadership on vaccination programmes.  Ongoing vaccination will be vital over the next few months and more information is expected from NHS colleagues.  The County Council is eager to help support vaccination messaging.  Recruitment of volunteers for adequate staff for administering or supporting vaccination is not as visible as expected but could be targeted or promoted differently with a number of different roles.  Working with community leaders to spread the message with Covid ambassadors will be key in communities to take up the vaccines.

The next formal meeting of the Board will be on 20 January 2021 and additional briefings or meetings arranged as needed.

The meeting ended at 10:44am

To receive an update on community engagement and messaging, including communication with communities and district councils.

The Executive Member of Public Health updated the Board on communications and engagement noting the campaign summary, increased messaging and repeating, with use of new formats and animation.  

Members heard that support for high risk settings continue for both schools and adult social care sector.  The community has shared positive messages regarding their experiences with support.  

In addition to Covid 19 weekly summaries, news queries, and national restrictions for the second lockdown, newsletters and targeted messaging for stakeholders continues for businesses, faith, prison, transport, shielding, BAME community, and schools.

Communications will continue regarding the 5-day loosening of restrictions over Christmas and will continue to stress the current level of restrictions and situation with key messages to right people at the right time.  To avoid Covid-weariness, keeping messages appropriate, hopeful, and fresh has been key.  

Messaging will continue to be valuable in providing clarity about vaccinations, immunity, and tiers, consistent with NHS messaging as well.  Extensive and comprehensive communications have continued in over 500 schools to ensure the right messaging goes out to parents, carers, and local communities.  Academies and some other schools have also reached out for these services, but not all. 

More information about tiers is expected prior to the next meeting on 15 December.

The meeting ended at 1:50pm

To receive an update on community engagement and messaging, including communication with communities and district councils.

The Executive Member of Public Health updated the Board on communications and engagement noting that the two strands of communication continue with up to date information about what is happening now and keep safe guidance on social media.  Members heard:

Engagement with the public remains high with targeted actions in place.  The tier system and national graphics have been shared consistently.  The data dashboard remains the most popular and the constant refresh of messaging has been engaging even more people.  Branding right and consistent messaging across districts and partners together is working well. 

More media inquiries have been handled and the number of news items covering the pandemic has also risen with the feedback largely positive or neutral.  Key areas of inquiry have been regarding schools, care homes, events, and holidays. 

Additional advice has been shared for those shielding and vulnerable.  Messaging regarding the second lockdown is well underway and the team remains prepared for any changes. 

Targeted support for high-risk settings have continued and enquiries from schools managed, keeping Councillors from that area involved and updates but individual information kept confidential.  Follow up webinars have been set up for educational settings.  The Public Health England South East Health Protection Team is providing template letters and guidance for playground etiquette, school posters, and newsletters.

Adults’ Health and Care services are pulling together all information in one place and circulating a fortnightly newsletter.  High profile messaging for the second lockdown, both general and targeted, continues in collaboration with key partners, Local Resilience Forum, and the NHS.

The exact lockdown guidance is pending from the government with legislation to be passed on Wednesday 4 November.  The Communication team is ready to quickly pass on the information we received from the government with clarity in messaging.

The County Council is determined to work as transparently and effectively as possible and thanks all Board members for their efforts.  The additional formal meeting will be confirmed following the briefing next week.

The meeting ended at 14:59.

To receive a verbal update on community engagement and messaging, including communication with communities and district councils.

The Executive Member of Public Health provided an update on communications and engagement highlighting the two strands of work is being undertaken by the Council.  The first manages current events on the ground in real time and second, provides information and guidance on staying safe.  The Health Protection Board, Local Engagement Outbreak Board, data analysis, and national guidance all feed into the messaging alongside local branding. 

Joint up communications are used by the Local Resilience Forum, Hampshire Fire and Police.  These include press releases, social media, organic activity, and paid for targeted messaging for young people aged 18-24, BAME, and those in high risk settings.  Newsletters to care homes and domiciliary care workers, weekly email updates to parish councils, and webinars to provide support for keeping schools safely open have continued.  This monthly report had been shared with MPs and will continue to be circulated to them each month.  

The Chairman noted that the Local Outbreak Engagement Board will continue to be briefed as required in addition to formal meetings.  The next formal meeting of the Board is due to take place on 2 November.

The meeting concluded at 3:19pm.  

To receive a verbal update on community engagement and messaging, including communication with communities and district councils.

The Director of Public Health updated the Board on communications and engagement noting increased capacity for the Communications Team for getting the message out. 

In response to questions, Members heard:

Communication with schools continues with teachers helping with youngers children and advertisements and information on social media channels and relevant feeds are in place for older young people.  

Swift communications are in place in response to the outbreak and proactive commitment to track and trace.  Key briefings with stakeholders, press releases, social media messages, flow charts and plans, and social distancing advice continues.  Prevention work with young adults are in place using outdoor media such as the sides of buses, as well as intelligent targeting for different ethnic communities using social media.  Working with Children’s Services continues to support children returning to school and providing reassurances about safe measures at school.  Keeping Hampshire Safe brand is consistently used for communications.

Keeping communications open with all businesses regarding safety and protocols continues with the help of district, town, parish councils, liaising with chambers of commerce, business partnerships, trade associations, etc.

Members noted that with this quick moving pandemic, the Local Outbreak Engagement Board will meet as frequently as required for briefing sessions, outside of the planned meetings, in order to react quickly to unexpected changes and provide support as needed.