Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I do if I have an enquiry out of normal office hours, including weekends?
2. Who do I contact to discuss advertising opportunities?
3. I have a Freedom of Information, what do I do?
4. Where can I find councillors' expenses?
5. What is BOLD?
6. When are the next Public Roadshows?
7. What is Purdah?
8. Does the Council Sponsor organisations or community groups?

9. We would like to offer a discount to your staff, how do I go about doing this?

Answers

1. Q.What should I do if I have an enquiry out of normal office hours, including weekends?
   

   A.We are available to deal with emergencies or urgent media enquiries 24/7. Contact the Duty Media Officer on 07947407151. (Back To Top)

2. Q.Who do I contact to discuss advertising opportunities?
   A.In light of BOLD we are currently reviewing our advertising activity and only participating in paid for advertising, if initially identified in a project's marketing strategy or where we can evidence that this channel has worked and engaged our public. You can provide details of your organisation, along with contact details of customers whom we can discuss success rates with, by emailing commsunit@worcestershire.gov.uk with advertising opportunity in the subject box. (Back To Top)

3. Q.I have a Freedom of Information, what do I do?
   A.The Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) give the general public rights of access to any recorded information held by public authorities, unless a specified exemption applies. To complete a request, visit our FOI webpages. (Back To Top)

4.  Q.Where can I find councillors' expenses?
    A.All our councillor's expenses are shown here (Back To Top)

5. Q. What is BOLD?
   A."The national financial situation means that councils across the country are having their budgets significantly reduced. In Worcestershire we're no different. We have to save £60-70 million from our core revenue budget by 2015. To find out more visit or BOLD webpages (Back To Top)

6. Q.When are the next Public Roadshows?
   A.Every six months the Leader of the County Council, Adrian Hardman and the Chief Executive, Trish Haines, go out to the communities in Worcestershire to engage with our communities and seek their views on how we can improve our services.  (Back To Top)

7. Q.What is Purdah?
   A.This is the period of time from when an election is announced until after the election is held. Local authorities are required to consider their activities during this period with regards to publicity and decision making. They must follow the Code of recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity. For more information on Purdah, you can visit the parliament webpages (Back To Top)

8. Q.Does the council sponsor organisations or community groups?
   A.In short, no. This is because the budget that the council operates from is made up of council tax payer's contributions and this is on the understanding that we are providing public sector services. We also have to ensure that we are not falling fowl of the Bribery Act 2010. However, the County Council does provide funding and grant opportunities. Please visit our VCS pages to find out more.

9. Q.We would like to offer a discount to your staff, how do I go about doing this?
   A. We do not promote organisations offering adhoc discounts to our staff because of the tax implications, as this is seen as a benefit in kind.