Writing this on ‘OurDay’ 2014 brought home just how local councils have embraced the vehicle of social media. Using social media is now an essential part of a district’s armoury in getting messages to the public.

Not only can messages be promoted, it also acts as a customer access channel that cannot be underestimated. Some may regard the use of twitter as a nice ‘to do’ if there is enough time, but that is a disservice to the medium.

Twitter is now the live news feed for traditional media outlets such as broadcasters and newspapers/periodicals, but also for the public and government. In recent times, discovery of a major factory closure and major traffic delays have benefitted staff locally, as well as many ideas and innovations being put into place in the local government family.