Residents are being encouraged to tell the council whether it is providing them with the news they want, as part of a review into its social media engagement. 

Results from the survey will be reviewed and used to help inform the Bracknell Forest Council’s future social media strategy, which is due to be published later in 2023. 

The executive member for economic development and regeneration, Cllr Marc Brunel-Walker, understands social media is “one of the most powerful communication tools” and the council wants to make sure it is using it effectively to “connect with [the] local community”. 

The debate for councils over whether to use social media has long passed, with Bracknell Forest present on six platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Nextdoor. 

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Just under 25 per cent of people aged 16 and above go to social media to get local news information, according to Ofcom’s 2022 News Consumption in the UK report. 

Figures also reveal that social media reaches 66 per cent of the audience, so it’s no wonder the council wants to make sure it is using it effectively. 

Cllr Brunel-Walker said: “We want to make sure we’re publishing news that residents want and need. By taking our social media survey, residents can give us their feedback that will help shape our new social media strategy.”   

 The survey will run until Monday January 16, with all submissions to remain anonymous.