Dear Mr Kemp,

Re: Freedom of Information Request No. 1214 - Communications, marketing, advertising, promotions and public relations.

I am writing regarding your email request for information, which I received on 28^th January 2010.

I can confirm that the search for the information you requested has now been completed and the authority can provide the following:

1) How many staff work in communications, marketing, advertising, promotions and public relations in your authority. For the avoidance of doubt this should include staff in a central department and directorates, plus any retained freelance workers.

a) The Corporate Media and Communications Team, sitting below the Head of HR & Communications, is made up of six members of staff.

The Team is responsible for the marketing and public relations of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.

2) The structure of communications, marketing, advertising, promotions and public relation (ie structure chart/organogram with job roles)

a) Please see the attached structure chart.

3) The job title of the most senior staff member employed in communications, marketing, advertising, promotions and public relations.

a) Head of HR & Communications.

4) The age of the most senior staff member employed in communications, marketing and public relations.

a) 48

5) The average age of staff members employed in communications, marketing, advertising, promotions and public relation.

a) 36

6) The proportion of staff members employed in communications, marketing, advertising, promotions and public relation holding a) journalistic qualifications b) public relations qualifications c) marketing qualifications

a) Four out of seven hold professional qualifications as described above. The remaining members of staff are qualified to Degree level.

If you wish to discuss any of the above, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision, you should write to Complaints Officer, Support Services Department, PO Box 6, Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6ER.  If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the IC cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the Council. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliff House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.'

Yours faithfully,

Kirsty Horseman

Group Manager - Media and Communications

Media and Communications Team

Corporate Director Support Services Sally Holland

PO Box 6 Civic Centre Victoria Avenue Southend-on-Sea Essex SS2 6ER

Switchboard 01702 215000 : DX 2812 Southend www.southend.gov.uk