NENE VALLEY NEWS

Aims and Editorial Policy

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 is by appointed contractor, with Editorship by the Council.

Aims

Nene Valley News'principal aims are to provide information to the citizens of East Northamptonshire on 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 citizens. In achieving these aims, Nene Valley News will:

  • Enable East Northamptonshire Council to establish an effective two way dialogue with those who live and work in the area
  • Communicate a sense of vision and direction for East Northamptonshire, the Council and its partners
  • Reflect and reinforce a positive reputation of East Northamptonshire Council
  • Reflect and reinforce the image and values of East Northamptonshire
  • Improve the quality of life of citizens by carrying news, advice and information about, and promoting, Council and other appropriate services
  • Encourage active participation in district life, through engagement in consultation and other local democratic processes
  • Play a vital role in public consultation and research, by presenting information, issues and proposals and ensuring Nene Valley News itself is a key route for feeding the results of public research and consultation to citizens
  • Provide a vehicle for local firms and businesses to promote their local goods and services and job opportunities within the area

Editorial policy

Nene Valley Newsis 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 newspaperis not used as a medium for conducting debates that should take place in Council.

The Editor of Nene Valley Newsis the Council’s Head of Communications, based in the Strategy and Policy Directorate. The Editor, in consultation with the Director of Strategy and Policy, has final responsibility for the content of the magazine. 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.

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

  • Topicality/reader interest
  • Benefit to the Council/reader
  • Usefulness to the reader
  • Exclusivity
  • Relevance / benefit to the community/disadvantaged groups

In assessing priorities for inclusion of feature material – both regular and individual – Nene Valley Newswill 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 - 1/2 page
  • On Your Doorstep - 1 page
  • Sport and Leisure - 1/2 page
  • Business Briefing - 1/4 page
  • Safer Communities - 1/4 page

Nene Valley Newscarries 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.

Nene Valley Newswill 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.