Key information
Decision type: Assistant Director
Reference code: ADD2126
Date signed:
Decision by: Andrew Collinge, Assistant Director of Intelligence
Executive summary
The Greater London Authority (GLA) wishes to undertake research to identify key elements of messaging around Mayoral the priorities of housing and the environment, in order to ensure that our communications with Londoners is successfully delivered across these statutory strategies.
Decision
That the Assistant Director for Intelligence and Analysis approves GLA expenditure of up to £25,000 for qualitative research services which identifies citizen’s preferences for communications from the Mayor on policy areas of housing and the environment.
Part 1: Non-confidential facts and advice
1.1 The Mayor has responsibility for seven statutory strategies. It is considered good practice to communicate messages about GLA activity to Londoners and to reflect their views in policy making. ADD2003 sought approval to identify citizen preferences in terms of comprehension of policy, reaction, and appropriateness of language.
1.2 We now wish to improve the GLA’s approach to communicating core messages around two key policy areas; housing and the environment, so as to raise awareness of City Hall’s activity, and to encourage Londoners to get involved in the work of the Mayor. This includes best messaging, and best delivery of messaging, to resonate with the opinions of Londoners. The desired outcome is to establish a series of tested messages to guide how we can communicate with Londoners about the work of City Hall – for upcoming strategies, and for other communication.
1.3 The GLA wishes to commission 2CV Ltd from the Transport for London Market Research Framework to undertake qualitative research which identifies citizen preferences for communications from the Mayor and City Hall to meet the above purpose.
Objective
2.1 Via the Transport for London Market Research Framework, to commission 2CV Ltd to deliver a short programme of qualitative research that provides insight as to citizen preferences for communications in relation to the Mayor of London’s statutory strategies and priorities for housing and the environment.
Outcomes
2.2 The insight will be used to develop and support the GLA’s communication and outreach plans, and deliver recommendations for creating messaging content around the Mayor’s housing and environment strategies and priorities.
2.3 Improved communications and engagement with Londoners in relation to the Mayor’s statutory strategies and priorities will ensure that Londoners are aware of the opportunity and benefits of engaging with the GLA’s work.
3.1 The qualitative research will include participation from:
• A broad cross section of the London population; and
• Key groups who are relevant to this research – inner / outer Londoners; and homeowners / renters.
3.2 This will ensure that City Hall is able to produce communications that appeals to, and enables all Londoners to engage with the work of the Mayor.
a) The risks of opinion research are generally rooted in methodological decisions, in terms of ensuring that a breadth of Londoners’ views are taken into account. The method which the GLA will commission will look at a pan-London sample ensuring that the GLA gets a range of opinions, whilst also including elements that focus on groups which are not currently well engaged in this work.
b) This work links directly to the communication of the Mayor’s statutory strategies by enabling them to be communicated in a way that is engaging to Londoners, thus facilitating engagement of citizens with the development of statutory strategies and priorities.
c) This research will engage with a broad range of Londoners in determining how the GLA can best communicate with them around its priorities for the next four years.
5.1 Approval is being sought for expenditure of up to £25,000 for 2CV Ltd to undertake market research for the Mayor’s Housing and Environment strategies and priorities. This is to be funded as follows:
• £8,334 from Intelligence Cross-Cutting Research 2017-18 Programme Budget
• £8,333 from Housing & Land Operational Costs 2017-18
• £8,333 from Environment Strategy Updates 2017-18 Budget
N/A
Signed decision document
ADD2126 Effective Messaging for Housing & Environment (signed)