To consider the attached report regarding the Branding of the Ground Floor of the Civic Offices.
Minutes:
Rob Pavey, Customer Services Director, outlined the proposed designs and names for the re-branding of the ground floor of the Civic Offices to the Select Committee. This reflected the new community and collaborative purpose of the space and promoted the area as a new destination where EFDC services would work collaboratively with partners to provide wraparound solutions for residents and wider community activity. He emphasised that this was not a proposal to rename the Civic Offices and was for the ground floor of the building. The refurbishment of the Civic Offices had provided an opportunity to review how the building was used, the building had a reduced footprint for EFDC staff and the top floor was occupied on a commercial basis. He described the areas of the ground floor and the flow through these areas and suggested the proximity and integration of the ground floor activity lent itself to a common brand.
It was acknowledged that there was some subjectivity and personal preference in all branding exercises, members had been involved in the iterative design proves carried out over the summer and two options were presented: ‘The Civic Hub’ and ‘The Civic’. Partners had been consulted and feedback on a common brand had been positively received. Signage was needed to help all parties signpost services and improve the visitor experience. The signage would have the same coloured floor markings, as floor spots to act as path markers to assist the journey through the building.
Learning outcomes had been noted from the process which could have had a clearer design brief and better engagement. The costs detailed in the report were maximum costs and included the design, production and installation though the space and the floor markings. The final design was a representation of collaboration and people working together and the name options for consideration were ‘The Hub’ or ‘The Civic Hub’
Members of the Select Committee
Cllr Whitehouse requested that logo was not placed on the outside glass case at the Civic Offices as this was used to showcase the Chairman’s and Civic events and asked if there would be any non-digital publicity. R Pavey advised that the communication plan included non-digital formats, including conventional media channels, partners and other outlets such as libraries and offices. Cllr Kane confirmed that he and other members had been involved in an iterative process that went backwards and forwards with names and suggested that the space should be promoted with Parish and Town Councils.
The Committee agreed that from the two proposed options before them, ‘The Civic Hub’ was the preferred option.
Resolved:
The Select Committee considered the re-branding and proposed designs of the Ground Floor of the Civic Offices and agreed that the name ‘The Civic Hub’ should be recommended to Cabinet for consideration.
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Supporting documents: