policy ยท Ipswich City Council
Ipswich councillors review revised media policy after spokesperson law changes
Ipswich City Council discussed a revised Media and Corporate Communications Policy after amendments to the Local Government Act 2009 changed the statutory rules for who can act as a council's official spokesperson.
Ipswich City Council has reviewed a revised Media and Corporate Communications Policy after legislative changes affecting local government official spokesperson rules, according to minutes from an extraordinary councillor briefing and workshop session on 27 April.
The minutes say the amended Local Government Act 2009 is now in force and has changed the statutory provisions for the official spokesperson for local governments.
Council officers sought guidance on a revised policy to align with and implement those changes. The report stated this was a recommended action advised by the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers.
According to the minutes, councillors noted, discussed and provided feedback on the information presented about the legislative reforms and the Media and Corporate Communications Policy.
No final policy adoption or formal decision was recorded in the extracted minutes.
The minutes state that a report will be provided to a Finance and Governance committee for consideration.
Key facts from the minutes
- Ipswich City Council discussed legislative reforms affecting official spokesperson rules at an extraordinary councillor briefing and workshop session on 27 April 2026.
- The amended Local Government Act 2009 has changed the statutory provisions for the official spokesperson for local governments.
- A revised Media and Corporate Communications Policy was discussed to align with and implement the legislative changes.
- The report said revising the policy was a recommended action advised by the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers.
- Councillors noted, discussed and provided feedback on the policy information.
- A report will be provided to a Finance and Governance committee for consideration.
- No formal resolution or final policy adoption was recorded in the extracted text.
Why it matters
- The matter affects how council handles media statements, public messaging and who is authorised to speak on behalf of council, but the policy has not yet been formally adopted.
Source and method
Based on Ipswich City Council extraordinary councillor briefing and workshop session minutes dated 27 April 2026.