1 Sponsors
Chipping Norton Town Partnership, specifically supported by Oxfordshire County Council, Chipping Norton Town Council and The Guild of Commerce
2 Editorial Board
2.1 Purpose
To set and manage editorial policy and police compliance with it. To carry responsibility for accuracy and unbiased nature of content. To report its activities to the Town Partnership, and consult it where it is proposed to make significant policy, structural or management changes in relation to the site.
2.2 Composition
The Board shall comprise two members of the Town Partnership and one from the Guild plus up to seven co-opted members to ensure each parent page editor is a member
2.3 Meetings
The Board shall meet physically at least four times a year.
2.4 Minutes
The Board shall minute its decisions and publish its membership, its Editorial Policy and the minutes of its meetings on the website.
2.5 Relationship with content manager
The content manager (the Partnership Programme Manager ) shall comply with these Editorial Policies, shall raise any issues of doubt with the Editorial Board, and shall report to and be responsible to the Board.
3 Editorial policies
3.1 Common content
Wherever possible site content shall conform to a common page set up, and the guidance provided for contributors.
3.2 Accuracy and bias
Content is to be accurate, balanced and fair. Accuracy is to the highest journalistic standards e.g. no hearsay, gossip, or individual opinions. Any material deemed worthy of inclusion yet which fails to match such standards to be very clearly worded in such a way as to make the status of this specific item clear.
3.3 Attribution
Unless explicitly stated otherwise content represents the Partnership through compliance with these policies. Any content that has been written or provided by an individual shall be attributed to him and no content shall be carried under an alias. Every effort will be made to attribute material correctly, but anyone believing there are areas where this has not taken place should contact the Programme Manager.
3.4 Style
Despite the policies that drive content to be accurate and attributed, the site will seek to be attractive and interesting - e.g. with good use of photographs, with the inclusion of “hot topics” and with topical news - such as to give the site a buzz and make it interesting. A common presentational style will apply to all pages.
3.5 Resource to visitors
The site shall seek to provide useful information to visitors, in addition to material that the Partnership wishes to see published.
3.6 Feedback
The site shall include email feedback prompts to encourage feedback (e.g. on errors, or requests for new services). This feedback will not be published directly on the site although the content manager may publish summaries or specific items in certain cases where a good purpose is served.
4 Technical policies
4.1 Structure
Site to have straightforward navigation, with an obvious return to the top level, and to the next level up in the hierarchy, from any page.
4.2 Text only switching
All content to be viewable in simple text form (switched by the visitor) to enable those of poor sight, or those with technically limited equipment, to access the material.
4.3 Sophisticated content
The site shall not employ sophisticated media content (e.g. video or audio clips, animations, high-resolution photos) that prevent use or reasonable response times without broadband or without the latest browsers. (Access via smartphones to be considered later.)
4.4 Virus
All content to be virus checked before being made operational with up-to-date checking software.
4.5 Worms, cookies and other program placement
The site will not implant any executable code in visitors computers.
4.6 Authorities and password protection
Access authorities with password controls will be operated to ensure that only the content manager or specific agreed nominated individuals from the Editorial Borad may alter content.
4.7 Service policies
Emails addressed to the Programme Manager shall normally be replied to within 72 hours with at least 75% of first responses being substantive rather than holding responses.
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