Celebrating local government: City Council is taking part in #OurDay
Birmingham City Council is taking part in the national #OurDay campaign today (19 November) to highlight the wide variety of services its staff delivers across the city.
From school admissions to the Frankfurt Christmas Market to voter registration, the hundreds of vital services of a council will be brought to life when Birmingham City Council staff take part in a social media marathon today.
They will be among thousands nationwide to participate online using the hashtag #OurDay, to give residents an insight into the hundreds of jobs councils do every day, from collecting rubbish and fixing roads, to taking care of vulnerable people.
By the end of last year’s #OurDay over 10,000 Twitter accounts had participated, and the hashtag trended at number one on Twitter for most of the day.
#OurDay has been organised by the Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils in England and Wales. The LGA is encouraging as many councillors and local authority staff as possible to take a couple of minutes out of their day to tell the world what they are up to as part of a 24-hour live social media marathon, from 00.01 today, by using the hashtag #OurDay.
Clive Heaphy, Acting Chief Executive of Birmingham City Council, said: “We provide hundreds of different services to citizens that cover all aspects of daily life, so it is important to showcase what we do so people are better informed about how we can best help and assist them.
“#OurDay is a simple, but highly effective way to do this – I look forward to seeing a range of Tweets across the day, that highlight the hard work, dedication and effort of our employees as they go about their day-to-day activities.”
Councillor Peter Fleming OBE, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Improvement and Innovation Board, said: “#OurDay is a chance to reflect on 24 hours in the life of Birmingham City Council.
“It is a great way for Birmingham City Council to show what council officers are doing every day to improve the quality of life of our residents. We’re excited that some of the stories behind the huge variety of vital services that the council provides every day will be heard.”
“We are really pleased that Birmingham City Council is taking part in #OurDay, a nationwide event for all councils, councillors and staff to get involved in, to highlight the amazing work that is going on in their communities.
“Councils are the most efficient, open and transparent part of the public sector and we’re looking forward to being part of the #OurDay conversation and to hear from residents on Facebook and Twitter.”