Culture, media and sport
This portfolio contains the following services:
- the council's award-winning Internal Communications team keeps council employees up to date with developments in the council and the city and involves them in council initiatives. The team also runs annual awards celebrating the work and achievements of council employees.
- the Libraries and Information service runs Central library in the city centre, 23 community libraries, two mobile libraries, a prison library and an 'at home' service. It lends out books and audio-visual material (CDs, DVDs and tapes), runs a general and business information service and the Liverpool Record Office. The Central and community libraries have 350 internet-linked computers for public use. The library service is also responsible for special collections and for books and records of regional and national importance.
- Lord Mayor's Office and Town Hall service manages the Lord Mayor's civic programme and runs the grade 1 listed Town Hall, including catering. Liverpool Town Hall is licensed for weddings and can be hired for private events.
- Marketing Services is the internal marketing agency for the city council. It offers a full range of support, including customer consultation and market research, advertising, branding, campaign and event management, graphic design, website design, print and multi media communications. The team also gives general advice on marketing, communicating with customers and getting the best out of a marketing and communications budget.
- The Newscentre provides an all-inclusive communications service for the city and the city council and is responsible for promoting a positive image for the city within the media, and for crisis-PR management.
The Newscentre organises photocalls, produces magazines, writes speeches and issues press releases and briefings. It publishes City Magazine, delivered free to all 220,000 homes in the city six times a year. - the Sport and Recreation service runs public sports centres and swimming pools, municipal golf courses and allotments, and outdoor sports facilities in parks, recreation grounds and playing fields. It has one of the UK's most successful sports development and events programmes. The new Picton 50m swimming pool opens early 2008.