18/12/2008 -

Council Focus Launch

Sligo Local Authorities have teamed up with local radio station Ocean FM to produce a programme of news and information which will be broadcast as part of the radio station’s regular schedule. The fifteen minute programme, Council Focus, will be broadcast on a Sunday mornings and will be repeated on Wednesday evenings. New editions of the programme will be recorded monthly.

The programme was formally launched on Thursday 18th December 2008 in Sligo County Council’s offices at County Hall, and was attended by the Mayor Councillor Veronica Cawley,  Councillor Seamus Kilgannon, deputising for Cathaoirleach Devins and Chief Executive Tim Collins and the staff of Ocean FM.

Valuable Outlet

In his address Councillor Seamus Kilgannon, deputising for Cathaoirleach Devins, said that ‘it was a very logical and welcome progression of the relationship between Ocean and the Sligo Local Authorities that we work together to co-produce a radio programme. The new programme will provide a hugely valuable outlet to deliver our message to the public we serve.’ The Cathaoirleach also commended Ocean for their commitment to the project ‘which is shown by their decision to broadcast the programme in a prime Sunday morning slot, and my belief is that it will, in time, develop a committed and loyal listenership.’

Feedback

Mayor Councillor Veronica Cawley identified the real benefit of the project was that ‘it will allow the Sligo Local Authorities to make contact with a growing radio audience. There was never a more important time for Local Authorities to deliver their message in a clear and accessible manner, and using the medium of radio will greatly enhance our ability to convey news and information on our many activities.’

The Mayor feels that the key to the success of the project is ‘feedback’ – ‘Over the coming weeks and months, the project team will monitor and review the programme, assess the comments and suggestions from our listeners, and use this feedback to guide the preparation of future programmes.’
Chief Executive of Ocean Tim Collins sees this production as unique co-operation between a local authority and broadcaster. He pointed out that this type of production is right up their street as their public service remit is most important to Ocean FM. Their recent documentaries on subjects such as Lisadell House and Home Carers show their commitment in broadcasting to as wide an audience as possible. Mr. Collins points to the strong commercial relationship which already exists between Ocean FM and Sligo Borough and Sligo County Council while ‘Council Focus’ will extend this to a service relationship. He is looking forward to feedback from listeners and working with the local authorities in developing this programme.

 
- Mayor Cawley and elected members with Sligo Local Authority Staff, staff from Ocean FM and Bob Murphy from PWDI at the launch of Sligo Local Authorities Radio Programme 'Council Focus'

‘Council Focus’ will be broadcast at 9.00am every second Sunday morning of the month and on Wednesday evenings. The first edition of the programme will be broadcast on Sunday 21st December at 9.00am and will feature:

• News and Information for the Christmas Period
• Christmas greeting from Mayor of Sligo Cllr. Veronica Cawley and Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Cllr. Jude  Devins
• Emergency Water Contact Details
• Interview with Sarah Leavy, Sligo Arts Office about the Street Art on Tracey Avenue, Sligo
• Interview with Kevin Colreavy, Communications Officer, Sligo Local Authorities about the development of ‘Council Focus’

Background

Throughout 2008 the Sligo Local Authorities have been recording monthly podcasts which are broadcast on their websites, and the participation of Ocean in this venture will greatly increase the audience for the programme.

The idea for the podcast arose from consultation with local disability groups, who encouraged the Sligo Local Authorities to target a ‘listening’ audience who may have difficulty accessing information in written format. The project was developed with the co-operation of the Sligo Branch of People with Disabilities Ireland (PWDI). The podcast was launched in December 2007 and twelve programmes have been recorded over the last year.

The upgrading of the podcast to a scheduled radio programme is a major development for the Sligo Local Authorities.

Enquiries to: The Communications Office at 071 9111016, e-mail: communications@sligococo.ie

 
- Production team of All Point West, staff of Sligo Local Authorities and Ocean Fm with Mayor Cawley, Councillor Kilgannon and Tim Collins, Chief Executive of Ocean Fm, at launch of 'Council Focus'