Communication services for town and parish councils

Improving engagement between councils and the community 

Effective communication is essential for councils to keep residents informed, involved, and confident in local decision-making. Essential PR & Marketing supports town and parish councils with tailored strategies, tools, and guidance to strengthen engagement, trust and transparency.

Why choose Essential PR & Marketing?

With over 30 years of experience working with local authorities, we specialise in:

• Simplifying complex information for residents
• Developing targeted, actionable communication plans
• Engaging communities across a variety of low cost communication channels
• Providing flexible solutions that fit council budgets and resources

We work closely with council clerks and councillors to ensure every message is clear, consistent, and impactful.

Our services

Media training - new for 2026

How confident are you in your media spokespeople’s ability to safeguard your council’s reputation during an interview?

Fomer BBC journalist Jill Sainsbury from Switched-on Multimedia and local government communication specialist Julie Jackson from Essential PR & Marketing have partnered to deliver practical, hands-on media training tailored specifically to town and parish councils.

This media training session is designed to equip members and officers with the skills they need to perform confidently on camera, on radio and in the press and to understand when and why it is sometimes best to keep quiet.

What to expect

• Practical experience of what it is like to be contacted by a journalist and how to respond.
• Opportunities to take part in TV and radio interviews with questions from a real journalist on realistic scenarios.
• Insight into how to avoid common pitfalls.
• Knowledge about how words said in an interview may be used and the context in which they are likely to appear.

Training outcomes


After the training, participants will:

• Feel confident and prepared to speak positively and effectively when under pressure from journalists.
• Understand the importance of clear and consistent messaging and how to avoid common pitfalls.
• Have an insight into what journalists are looking for so they can avoid risks and present the council in the best possible light.

Request a quote

If you are interested in us running this training at your council, please contact us to request a quote or to ask a question.

Communication for one-off projects

Promoting a new project or consultation? Our fixed-price packages help councils:

• Engage residents and stakeholders from launch to completion
• Ensure messaging is clear, professional, and consistent
• Maximise participation and awareness

Branding refresh 

Strengthen your council’s identity with:

• Logo redesign and brand guidelines
• Bespoke illustrations or graphics for newsletters, websites, and social media
• Consistent visual identity that reflects your community

Annual communication strategy

Maximise the impact of your council communication and achieve recognition from residents for your work.Choose from:

1. A communication strategy and comprehensive plan tailored to your council, ready to implement independently or with our support.
2. Collaborative strategy building workshops. Involve councillors in creating your communication strategy with these guided sessions run by our local government communication experts.

Digital marketing

Reach the right audiences online with:

• Social media strategy and management
• Electronic newsletters
• Targeted campaigns to increase engagement and visibility

PR and crisis support

When challenges arise, we provide calm, professional guidance to protect your council’s reputation and maintain trust.

Resources & Support

We also offer downloadable guides, templates, and case studies to help councils:

• Improve resident engagement
• Communicate projects effectively
• Deliver measurable results

Get in touch

Keep your council connected, informed, and trusted. Contact Essential PR & Marketing today to discuss tailored communication solutions designed for Surrey and Hampshire town and parish councils.