LIMERICK CITY AND COUNTY COUNCIL Brand Guidelines & Logo Usage
Brand Guidelines & Logo Usage / 1
Version 1.2: January 2017 Prepared by: Prepared by Office of Communications and Marketing
Contents Part 1: Instructions for use of the logo Part 2: Using the brand of Limerick City and County Council Part 3: Limerick City and County Council corporate house style
2 / Limerick City and County Council
Introduction This protocol gives you instructions on how to use the Limerick City and County Council logo and information on the Council’s ‘corporate style’- the way our documents should be produced to make them as accessible as possible to all our citizens. It is for our staff to use both internally and externally and should be given to all suppliers and contractors who produce promotional and other information on our behalf. There are also some instructions that can help you when producing documents and reports about the services that we offer. This applies to both internal and external communication and all new documents must adhere to this protocol which will be updated regularly. These guidelines have been produced to inform and assist staff and external users to correctly apply the brand identity of Limerick City and County Council. It is essential that the identity and logo are used in a consistent manner both internally and externally so this document must be adhered to at all times. It is the responsibility of Limerick City and County Council managers to ensure that all internal and external communication complies with the branding policy, corporate standards and best practice of Limerick City and County Council. It is the role of Office of Communications and Marketing to ensure there is consistency across the organisation in the use of the brand identity and that high standards are applied to maintain brand integrity.
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Office of Communications and Marketing For help at any time, please contact the Office of Communications and Marketing: Laura Ryan Denis Tierney Orla O’Connor Kelly Moran Niamh Morgan Mary Ellen Lyons
061-557134 061-557224 061-557377 061-557422 061-557352 061 557247
laura.ryan@limerick.ie denis.tierney@limerick.ie orla.oconnor@limerick.ie kelly.moran@limerick.ie niamh.morgan@limerick.ie maryellen.lyons@limerick.ie
All information for Limerick.ie should be sent to web.content@limerick.ie
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Part 1: Instructions for use of logo
Brand Guidelines & Logo Usage / 5
Part 1: Instructions for use of logo • • • • •
All items relating to or belonging to the Council must carry the Limerick City and County Council logo The logo should appear on both internal and external publications The logo should be reproduced as described in this protocol The logo must only appear on items authorised by the Council The logo and any other promotional materials must not be printed or produced in any other format other than that explained in this protocol
Colours and Contrast • The logo can be reproduced as black on a white background or any other strongly contrasting background • The reversed logo is available in white to be placed on a dark colour background, preferably on a solid black • Do not use a dark background with a black logo or a pale background with a white logo or position over an image or photo. Corporate Colours The Limerick City and County Council corporate colours should be used on any corporate items, for example, our annual report, power point presentations, pop up stands etc.
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Corporate Colours - Primary Logo
Full Colour Version:
2 Colour Pantone:
Dark Green: c100 m25 y100 k25
Dark Green: Pantone 349c
Light Green: c50 m0 y100 k0
Light Green: Pantone 369c
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Key Versions Primary Logo
Black & White: This is the only black and white version of the primary logo available and should be used in all instance where colour is not available.
Reversed: The reversed logo is available in white to be placed on a dark colour background, preferably on a solid black.
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Corporate Colours - Secondary Logo
Full Colour Version:
2 Colour Pantone:
Dark Green: c100 m25 y100 k25
Dark Green: Pantone 349c
Light Green: c50 m0 y100 k0
Light Green: Pantone 369c
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Key Versions Secondary Logo
Black & White: This is the only black and white version of the Secondary logo available and should be used in all instance where colour is not available.
Reversed: The reversed logo is available in white to be placed on a dark colour background, preferably on a solid black.
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Corporate Colours - Secondary Colours These secondary colours correspond to the various directorates within the council as well as HAP Shared Services Centre and Business Improvement Department. These colours should be used in a subtle way when designing reports. They do not need to be used for forms, day-to-day correspondence. Economic Development
Physical Development
Social Development
c89 m57 y23 k24 r27 g86 b124
c100 m0 y64 k0 r0 g168 b136
c0 m100 y22 k59 r124 g0 b57
Customer Services, Culture and Arts
Service Operations
Support Services
c0 m82 y0 k0 r239 g86 b159
c67 m4 y24 k0 r63 g185 b196
c0 m62 y100 k0 r245 g126 b32
Regional Services
HAP Shared Services Centre
Business Improvement Department
c67 m85 y24 k0 r116 g73 b131
c66 m53 y71 k0 r113 g118 b98
c12 m100 y73 k2 r209 g31 b67
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Clear Space - Primary Logo To preserve the integrity of the identifier and ensure maximum impact in environments where it appears with other elements, clear space must be maintained on all sides. The minimum clear space required all round is defined by the height of the ‘Swish’.
Minimum Size When the identifier is reduced there is a point at which it becomes ineffective. By establishing a minimum size for the identifier it ensures it is always prominent and readable across all media.
Minimum size for print material:
4cm w Preferred minimum size for screen / web:
4.3cm w (163pixels)
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Incorrect Usage - Primary Logo
Comhairle Cathrach & Contae Luimnigh Limerick City & County Council
Do not use on detailed or complicated backgrounds
Do not alter colours
Comhairle Cathrach & Contae Luimnigh Limerick City & County Council
Do not reverse out parts of the logo on their own
Comhairle Cathrach & Contae Luimnigh Limerick City & County Council
Do not use full colour logo on a dark background
Do not use logotype without symbol
Comhairle Cathrach & Contae Luimnigh Limerick City & County Council
Do not use symbol without logotype
14 / Limerick City and County Council
Clear Space - Secondary Logo To preserve the integrity of the identifier and ensure maximum impact in environments where it appears with other elements, clear space must be maintained on all sides. The minimum clear space required all round is defined by the height of the ‘Swish’ Minimum size for print material:
Minimum Size When the identifier is reduced there is a point at which it becomes ineffective. By establishing a minimum size for the identifier it ensures it is always prominent and readable across all media.
2cm w Preferred minimum size for screen / web:
2.25cm w (64pixels)
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Incorrect Usage - Secondary Logo
Do not use on detailed or complicated backgrounds
Do not reverse out parts of the logo on their own
Do not alter colours
Do not use logotype without symbol
Comhairle Cathrach & Contae Luimnigh Limerick City & County Council
Do not use full colour logo on a dark background
Do not use symbol without logotype
16 / Limerick City and County Council
Use with Other Logos - Primary Logo When using the Limerick City and County Council logo in conjunction with other logos, please ensure that it has the same prominence and is sized appropriately to match the shape and size of the other logos displayed. In the instance where Limerick City and County Council is lead sponsor for an event, it should appear at the start of the line-up. In both horizontal and vertical situations the council logo must never be rendered smaller than any other logo being display in the same visual area. See below sample with visual indicators:
Comhairle Cathrach & Contae Luimnigh Limerick City & County Council
Horizontal Situation Positioned to the left and of equal height other logos
Comhairle Cathrach & Contae Luimnigh Limerick City & County Council
Vertical Situation Positioned on top and of equal width
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Use with Other Logos - Secondary Logo
Horizontal Situation Positioned to the left and of equal height other logos
Additional Logos
Vertical Situation Positioned on top and of equal width
Limerick City and County Council is congnisant that some departments/ areas have their own individual logos eg Limerick Arts Office, Limerick City Gallery of Art, Innovate Limerick Please adhere to the guidelines regarding the usage of multiple logos (p16). Any department/ section planning on designing their own logo must contact the Office of Communications and Marketing prior to agreeing on any plans.
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Use of Irish Language Under Limerick City and County Council’s Official Languages Act 2003 Language Scheme 2015-2018 we undertake to do the following: Written Communication Text in the Irish language: • Shall appear first • Shall not be less prominent, visible or legible • Lettering shall not be smaller in size or in different font eg: italics • Shall communicate the same information • Shall not be abbreviated unless a word in English is abbreviated Letters and Electronic Mail It is mandatory that all written communication will be responded to in the official language in which it was received. Stationery It is also mandatory that headings of stationery, including notepaper, compliment slips, fax cover sheets, file covers and other folders, labels and envelopes are provided in Irish or bilingual. Signage All signage placed by Limerick City and County Council or on its behalf must be in Irish or bilingual, in accordance with the regulations. Publications Documents setting out public policy proposals, audited accounts or financial statements, annual reports and strategy statements will be published simultaneously in Irish and English.
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Circulars/Mailshots Where a public body communicates in writing or by electronic mail with the general public or a class of the general public for the purpose of furnishing information to the public or the class, the body shall ensure that the communication is in the Irish language or in the English and Irish languages.
Age Friendly Limerick Age Friendly Limerick Strategy 2015-2020 officially declares Limerick as an ‘Age Friendly’ location. It commits to improving key areas of infrastructure, services, information and an overall social response to older person’s issues When using branding and communications should be aware of the needs of older people • Use of Plain English • Need to use a range of communication channels, particularly traditional media • Forms and written communication were printed in large print • Bullet points are easier to read
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Part 2: Using the Brand of Limerick City and County Council
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Part 2: Using the Brand of Limerick City and County Council The following pages show the stationery templates for Limerick City and County Council, public notice advertisements and some examples of internal communications. The templates should not be altered in any way and recommendations for internal communications adhered to as close as possible. The logo has a set position on each branded item as specified on the following pages. All typeset information is set in the corporate typeface and colours.
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Typography Externally Printed Documents The corporate font of Limerick City and County Council is ‘Museo’ and ‘Museo Sans’. All externally produced printed material such as annual reports, strategic plans, public notices and all ads in newspapers, information leaflets must use the ‘Museo’ family of fonts. Heading text typfaces:
Bodytext typfaces:
Museo 900
Museo Sans 700
abcdefghijklmnop qrstuvwxyz ABCD EFGHIJKLM N OP QRSTUVWXYZ 01232456789 & *!%@?(.,;:)
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLM N OPQRSTUVWXYZ 01232456789 &*!%@?(.,;:)
Museo 700
abcdefghijklmnop qrstuvwxyz ABCD EFGHIJKLMN OPQ RSTUVWXYZ 01232456789 &*!%@?(.,;:) Museo 500
abcdefghijklmnopq rstuvwxyz ABCDE FGHIJKLMN OPQR STUVWXYZ 01232456789 &*!%@?(.,;:)
Museo Sans 500
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMN OPQRSTUVWXYZ 01232456789 &*!%@?(.,;:)) Museo Sans 300
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMN OPQRSTUVWXYZ 01232456789 &*!%@?(.,;:) Museo Sans 300 Italic
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMN OPQRSTUVWXYZ 01232456789 &*!%@?(.,;:)
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Internal Documents & Communications Calibri is the standard typeface to be used for all internal correspondence within Limerick City and County Council (All letters, emails, memos, agenda, fines issued must use this font). Heading text typfaces:
Bodytext typfaces:
Callibri Bold
Calibri
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMN OPQRSTUVWXYZ 01232456789 &*!%@?(.,;:)
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP QRSTUVWXYZ 01232456789 &*!%@?(.,;:) Calibri Italic
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMNO PQRSTUVWXYZ 01232456789 &*!%@?(.,;:)
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Sample Stationery The position of the logo and contact information should not be altered in any way. The department title can change to suit relevant section (note position of department title cannot change). Internal Letterhead A word version of the corporate letterhead is available on the ‘Templates’ page in the Branding folder in Corporate Services on the intranet site.
Seirbhísí Pleanála agus Comhshaoil, Tuar an Daill, Luimneach V94 WV78 Planning and Environmental Services, Dooradoyle, Limerick V94 WV78 t: +353 (0) 61 496 000 f: +353 (0) 61 496 001
with compliments
customerservices@limerick.ie www.limerick.ie @LimerickCouncil
Stiúrthóireacht Forbartha Eacnamaíochta Comhairle Cathrach agus Contae Luimnigh 7/8 Sráid Phádraig, Luimneach Economic Development Directorate Limerick City and County Council 7/8 Patrick Street, Limerick
Pat Fitzgerald
Senior Executive Officer Economic Development Directorate Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin Sinsearach
t: 061 407288 m: 087 2941612 e: pat.fitzgerald@limerick.ie www.limerick.ie
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Stiúrthóireacht na Forbartha Sóisialta, Ceanncheathrú Chorparáideach, Cé na gCeannaithe, Luimneach V94 EH90 Social Development Directorate, Corporate Headquarters, Merchant’s Quay, Limerick V94 EH90 t: +353 (0) 61 407 100 f: +353 (0) 61 415 266
Ceanncheathrú Chorparáideach, Cé na gCeannaithe, Luimneach Corporate Headquarters, Merchant’s Quay, Limerick
customerservices@limerick.ie www.limerick.ie @LimerickCouncil
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Printed Publications Our branding allows us to deliver our message consistently. Key to this consistency is its correct usage.
LCC Scrolls
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1 23/02/2015
17 17:14 Page
Luimnigh, ag ch agus Contae mhairle Cathra nnadh an Scrolla seo ar s Baill de Cho , ag bro An Méara agu intir Luimnigh mhu n cean , acting on feidhmiú thar County Council erick City and oll to Members of Lim k, hereby present this Scr The Mayor and Limeric of ple peo the behalf of
ives of Representat y Peirce Sophie Mar
a le cás na mban ry Peirce maidir trúil Sophie Ma eolaíocht ar spiorad each , eitlíocht agus ocht asaí Mar aitheantas chle lúth i e pioning the caus chur chun tosaigh rous spirit cham Peirce’s adventu science of Sophie Mary etics, aviation and In recognition of women in athl Dé hAoine, 6ú
Márta, 2015
Sínithe
Kevin Sheahan, Conn Murray,
Méara annach
Príomhfheidhme
APRIL 2018
Brand Guidelines & Logo Usage / 27
LCC Your Say Postcard AW.qxp_Layout 1 06/11/2014 10:31 Page 1
Public Participation Network Come and Have Your Say!
LCC Chambers Ireland A4 Ad.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2014 14:21 Page 1
Limerick City and County Council 2014 Chambers Ireland Local Authority of the Year
Limerick,
WE’VE COME A LONG WAY
together These are important times for Limerick.
The newly merged Limerick City & County Council is a coming together that means renewed focus and a new dynamism working for the benefit of Limerick and its people. Limerick is showing the way nationally for this new type of co operation, and will do so into the future with what can be achieved economically and socially thanks to the ambitious Limerick 2030 Plan.
www.limerick.ie
28 / Limerick City and County Council
Brand Guidelines & Logo Usage / 29
Public Notice & Recruitment Ads There is an established format for our advertising in newspapers. All public notice and recruitment advertising should be directed through Corporate Services. P U B L IC
Comhairle & Contae Cathrach Luimnigh Limerick C & County ity Council
Comhairle & Contae Cathrach Luimnigh Limerick City & County Council
N O T IC E
PLANNIN ACT 2000G & DEVELOPME NOTICE (AS AMENDED NT A NEW DOF HAVING MAD) CONTRIBEVELOPMENT E UTION SC In accord HEME ance with th Pl
e provisio anning an ns of the amended) d Development Act no 2000 (as tic e is hereby MENT its Counci given lm Limerick C eeting on 23rd Ja that at Limerick C nu ity and Co ity and Co unty Coun ary 2017 Developm unty Coun applicatio ent Contrib cil adopted ci ns to form The Sche a panel fo l invites ut the io n Sche me shall ha r the recrui tment of: ve immed me 2017-2021. TEMPOR iate effect. The schem e website at may be viewed on GLIN & K ARY LIFEGUARDS : the Coun IL T cils E ht E tp R s: Y PIERS //www.lim SUMMER erick.ie/co contribut 2017 uncil/deve ion-schem lopmente Candidate Dr. Pat Dal s must ho y ld as a min Irish Water Ec o n im o mic Devel Sa um a curr ent opment D qualificatio fety Beach Lifeguar irectorate d n, and shal l not be le or an equivalent REGIS age on 22 ss nd May 20 T than 17 ye E R O 17. F ars of 201 E L E C TORS 7/2018 Rate of pa y: Notice is Applicatio €419.74 per 37 hour he n Form an week Electors fo reby given that the d Briefing available o Register o r Documen n f the year 20 the City and Coun t are job-vacanc www.limerick.ie/co ty 17 un ie Local Gove /2018 for Dáil, Eu of Limerick for limerick.ie s Tel: 061 407124 E- cil/currentro rnment, pean A mail: lifegua rd@ Referenda was pu Presidential Electio ssembly, Latest date ns and blished on 2017 and for receipt th m e ay be insp 1s forms in th of complet locations: ected at th t February e Human ed ap plicat e followin Post Resources Wednesd g ay, Departmen ion Centres, Librar Offices, Garda Stat ions, Hea ies, Courth t is Limerick C 15th March 2017 and Coun o ity and Co us es ty , Limerick C lth Council O unty Coun opportuniti M ity ffices at D erchant’s cil is an eq es employe o Q ual r. at Kilmallo uay and Municipal oradoyle and ck District O ffices any time du , Rathkeale and N ewca ring norm al office ho stle West, at You can al urs. so Limerick Register at check if you are o .ie n www.che cktheregis the Live ter.ie
R E C R U IT
Limerick
.ie
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Vehicle Livery All council vehicles should be clearly branded as belonging to Limerick City and County Council. It is important that our council vehicles have a consistent look that clearly helps promote the image of one organisation. What must go on a vehicle: • the council logo • www.limerick.ie • customerservices@limerick.ie • Tel: 061 556000 What can go on a vehicle • A description of the service - MUST be in Irish and English (please refer to Use of Irish Language earlier in this document) • Relevant contact number • Fleet number • Advertising of key council message The application example shown is a guide to how the Limerick City and County Council brand should be applied to vehicle liveries. This is not deemed to be a definitive design as vehicle types will differ, however by following this template as closely as possible with an effective application of the brand elements, the brand can be maximised. Vehicle graphic advice and templates are available on request from the Communications Team.
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Logo can be centred to fit cavities
Departmental text should be kept to a minimal size Lines up at base
Litter Control Unit Environment Section Complaints to Litter Line 1800 201 151
customerservices@limerick.ie Tel: 061 556000
www.limerick.ie www.limerick.ie
Primary logo should be used as first choice, secondary logo may be used where portrait space dictates.
Vehicle Graphic advice and templates available on request from the Communications Team
Litter Control Unit Environment Section Complaints to Litter Line 1800 201 151
www.limerick.ie
32 / Limerick City and County Council
Logo can be centred to fit cavities
Primary logo should be used as first choice, secondary logo may be used where portrait space dictates.
Roinn Comhshaol Environmental Department customerservices@limerick.ie Tel: 061 556000
www.limerick.ie
Departmental text should be kept to a minimal size
Vehicle Graphic advice and templates available on request from the Communications Team
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Other Branded Items PowerPoint Presentations A PowerPoint template is available in the Templates section in Microsoft PowerPoint for all presentations. A Directorate-specific PowerPoint ‘frontpage’ must also be used for presentations. These are also available in the Templates section of Microsoft Powerpoint. Calibri is the only font to be used in presentations. All Templates are available in the Branding folder in Corporate Service on the intranet. Business Cards A business card template is available on the ‘Templates’ page in the Branding folder in Corporate Services on the intranet.
Email Signatures Our email signature is one of our most visible day-to-day communications. It is essential that it is consistent throughout the Council and must adhere to the following specifications. Email signature font: Calibri Font size: 12pt Font weight: Regular Font Colour: Black Either use the ‘|’ to differentiate Name from Title etc (1) Or Use separate lines (2)
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Your email signature must include the following: Name Title or Grade (optional) Section Department (Optional) Limerick City and County Council Address Line 1 Address Line 2 etc Limerick or Co. Limerick Eircode
Email signatures should always contain web address and Twitter account. Eircode must be used directly after Limerick, there is no need to write the word ‘Eircode.’ Email Signatures Samples Option (1) Denis Tierney | Communications Officer | Limerick City and County Council Merchant’s Quay | Limerick V94 EH90 061 557224 | 087 0907037 www.limerick.ie | @LimerickCouncil Option (2) Denis Tierney Communications Officer Limerick City and County Council Merchant’s Quay Limerick V94 EH90 061 557224 087 0907037 www.limerick.ie @LimerickCouncil
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Part 3: Limerick City and County Council Corporate House Style
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Part 3: Limerick City and County Council Corporate House Style These are instructions to help you when producing documents or reports on behalf of Limerick City and County Council. Our Address: Corporate Headquarters, Merchant’s Quay, Limerick V94 EH90 Our website address www.limerick.ie must appear on all documentation and literature that is produced. If you have a specific address that takes customers to a relevant page, for example www. limerick.ie/council/press-releases then you should use this. Ideally, this URL should be short and user friendly.
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Style of Writing and Layout We have a Corporate ‘house style’ which tells you how to write council information like dates, job titles etc so things are consistent and look professional. Here are some basic rules at a glance and then some more detailed descriptions if you want to find out more. Basic Rules: • Always use plain English for documents • Always include the Council web address (www.limerick.ie) on all publications • Think about who you are writing for, what the purpose of your document is • Ideally get someone to proof read what you’ve written Layout • Use Calibri font at point size 12 or larger - never less • Use 1.5 line spacing where possible • Never use all capital letters for words • Never underline words or use italics or other type effects • All text, including headings and titles must be left aligned, not justified, centred or right aligned • Never put text over a graphic or logo as this makes it difficult to read • Avoid or explain abbreviations • Don’t use symbols like & - use ‘and’ • Don’t use jargon unless you know that the reader will understand it • Avoid long rambling sentences • Use bulleted lists to make things clear • Documents with more than one page should include automatic page numbers aligned to the right in the page footer
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Basic Plain English and Punctuation Tips Abbreviations and Acronyms An abbreviation is a shortened word or phrase such as MW for MidWest or UL for University of Limerick. An acronym is a word made from the first letters of other words, for example MWRA (Mid West Regional Authority) or PPN (Public Participation Network). Use the full word or phrase the first time you use it, followed by the abbreviation or acronym in brackets. For example; •
Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (DHPLG)
You may use abbreviations and acronyms in headings where being concise is important. If you do this, write out the full version the first time you mention it in the text, followed by the abbreviation or acronym in brackets. Abbreviations and acronyms are usually capitalised. Use of Ampersand ‘&’ Only use the ampersand when it is part of a formal name. For example Standard & Poors Limerick City and County Council uses the word ‘and’ in our name. Refer to the council as ‘Limerick City and County Council not Limerick City & County Council. The & is just used in our logo. A&E, R&D and Q&A are the only other acceptable uses of ampersands.
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Apostrophes The apostrophe has two uses. 1. To show we have left out a letter or letters • we’ve instead of we have 2. To indicate possession • The council’s new service • The customer’s complaint If it is more than one subject, the apostrophe goes after the ‘s’. For example The customers’ complaints. The vehicles’ doors. If it is a plural word that doesn’t have an ‘s’ such as children or people add an apostrophe and an ‘s’. For example Children’s Services and People’s Park. Don’t use contractions such as it’s, they’re, don’t, can’t in formal documents. Brackets Brackets are useful for including information that doesn’t quite fit with the main structure of a sentence or an aide or comment to the reader. If the brackets surround an entire sentence, then the full stop at the end of the sentence stays within the brackets. For example: (This is the procedure you should follow.) If the brackets only surround part of the sentence, the full stop goes outside. For example: This is the procedure you should follow (under normal circumstances).
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Bullet Lists/Numbered Lists Bullet points are ideally used to clearly display types of lists that are not full sentences. In these cases; • the bullet points must not end with full stops or semi-colons • each bullet point must begin with a lower-case letter unless the word is a noun • each bullet point should be short • only the final bullet point should end with a full stop • if there is only one bullet point, insert a full stop at the end of it When numbers and letters are used as points, always ensure that there is a full stop after each numbered point, and no bracket, for example: 1. The council was able to increase frontline services. 2. They were able to minimise redundancies. a. The council was able to increase frontline services. b. They were able to minimise redundancies. Capital Letters Keep everything in lower case unless it is a noun – that is, a specific name. For example: • There are many councils, and Limerick City and County Council is one of them • When governments around the world didn’t agree, the Irish Government held strong • There were many chief executives at the meeting and Conn Murray, Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council, led the session Similarly, use lower case for council strategies in general, and the people involved in them. For example: • local area agreements • local strategic partnerships • councillors, members and officers
42 / Limerick City and County Council
Aside from starting sentences, use capitals for: • people’s names such as Conn Murray • job titles only when used in the same sentence as a name: ‘Kevin Sheahan, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick’ • registered brand names like Brown Thomas, Debenhams, Limerick Leader • the Government when referring to the current Irish Government and to specific departments like The Environment Department • specific products and services i.e. Limerick City and County Council Strategic Policy Committee • days of the week and months • historical events such as 1916 Rising • specific strategies, for example, the ‘Libraries Strategy’ In addition, do not capitalise: • job titles in general • general terms such as consultancy, best practice, marketing • compass points and regions- north, south, east,west, midwest etc except when these are part of a particular name, such as Newcastle West • euro- lower case for all currencies when referring to the currency itself, not the figure • seasons of the year, unless they are included in a title: Spring 2016 edition • many IT related words, such as internet, intranet, home page, website, email, e-government, online. Case Studies At the top of case study, if applicable, include the name of the local authority of region, for example: Case study: Limerick City and County Council - strategic leadership and engagement.
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Colons and Semi-Colons Colons introduce something: an idea, a list, an explanation, or a spoken or written remark. Always use a simple colon, not a colon followed by a dash (:-) Semi-colons separate complete but closely related sentences. For example: • That is your job; this is mine • Hand the cheque to the bank; hand the cash to me. Commas Use commas to link words in a simple list. For example • You can reach Customer Services in the five areas of Merchant’s Quay, Dooradoyle, Kilmallock, Rathkeale and Newcastle West Use commas to cordon off extra parts of the sentence. For example: • The reporter, who was meant to be covering the council meeting, was fast asleep.
Compared to: • The reporter who was meant to be covering the council meeting was fast asleep.
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Contact Details Please ensure you write all contact details in written communications as per the following example: Joe Bloggs Administrative Officer Limerick City and County Council Merchant’s Quay Limerick Tel: 061-557123 Email: joe.bloggs@limerick.ie www.limerick.ie @LimerickCouncil Councillor When referring to councillors in general, you should use the word in full but you can abbreviate this to ‘Cllr’. It should have a small c except when used as a title next to someone’s name, eg Cllr Kevin Sheahan. Dates Write dates in full using the dd month yyyy format. For example, 14 September 2016. Specify the year in question rather than ‘this year’ as information goes out of date very quickly. For financial years write 2014/15 not 2014-2015. Don’t use ‘th’ ‘nd’ ‘rd’or ‘st’ on the date Don’t put a comma after the month, for example, 3 February 2016 or 26 June 2020 e.g./ i.e etc e.g. means ‘for example’ i.e. means ‘in other words’
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Everyday Words To get your message across use plain, everyday words as much as possible. Avoid official sounding terms and formal language. Here are some examples and their plainer alternatives: • equitable=fair • elected member=councillor • expedite=speed up • expenditure=spending • henceforth=from now on • hitherto=until now • inasmuch as =because • in lieu of=instead • utilise=use • with reference to=about, concerning. Font For print the corporate typeface is Calibri size 12. Please do not alter, expand or condense it. Always keep the sizes and styles of the typography consistent throughout a document and use at least 12 point for body copy. The Full Stop, Exclamation Mark and Question Mark These are used to end sentences. • Single space after full stops, not double space. For example. Use a single space. Not double after a full stop. Use a single space. Not double after a full stop. • The exclamation mark isn’t normally used in formal writing. • Question marks are used at the end of a direct question. For example, use a question mark for ‘How will we tackle this problem?’
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Headings • Should be kept short and relevant • Start a heading with a capital letter, but do not use capitals elsewhere in the title unless it is for a name. For example, Guide to working for the council not Guide to Working for the Council • The use of headings style is mandatory Hyphens Hyphens’ main purpose is to glue words together. They notify the reader that two or more elements in a sentence are linked. Although there are rules and customs governing hyphens, there are also situations when writers must decide whether to add them for clarity. Confusing: He returned the stolen vehicle report. With hyphen: He returned the stolen-vehicle report. With no hyphen, we could only guess: Was the vehicle report stolen, or was it a report on stolen vehicles? Its or It’s? Another common mis-use and one that breaks the normal rule above is when to use the apostrophe in its or it’s • It’s is short for it is. • Its means belongs to it.
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Numbers • Use the word for everything from one to nine (except page numbers, times and dates). • Numbers for 10-1,000 • When writing about thousands, use digits and a comma. For example, 15,000 • For millions, use the full word. For example, €6 million with a space before the word ‘million’. • Numbers at the start of sentences should always be spelt out except for years e.g.: 2016 was a good year. Paragraphs • There are no rules on how long a paragraph should be but anything more than six lines is probably too long Sentences • A good average length is 15 to 20 words – no more Speech Marks and Inverted Commas Use speech marks for speech. • For example, “What are you doing?” he asked. • Use inverted commas to highlight something, like a title of a document. For example, the article in ‘Council Connect’ said councils should use plain English.
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Writing the time Write the number with am or pm following - 4pm, 7.30am Don’t use .00s, for example 3.00pm, just say 3pm Don’t use the 24 hour clock Writing Email Write the word ‘email’ followed by the email address Joe.bloggs@limerick.ie The word email doesn’t have a hyphen. Out of Office If you are out of the office, as a courtesy to your colleagues and customers it is necessary that you activate your out of office on your emails and on voicemail on your telephone extension. Email - Your out of office should include your return date and contact details of who is detailing with your work in your absence. This out of office should be for internal and external mails. Telephone - Your message should include your return date and contact details of who is detailing with your work in your absence. Make cure to turn this message off when you return back to work. LCCC The use of LCCC is only to be used on internal documents and purely as a time saving measure. All documents, forms or reports for external use or public documents must use Limerick City and County Council
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