Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer which discussed and sought approval to draft Social Media Guidance, following consultation (for copy see file of Minutes).

The report set out the responses to the consultation exercise and the changes made as a result. The consultees had also been asked if the document should be adopted as Guidance rather than Policy. On balance this was the view of the respondents and Members agreed with this.

During discussion, the Committee was informed that the Guidance would be rolled out across all Councils with member training sessions arranged. Members were concerned that training was not mandatory, given the number of complaints received regarding the use of social media and given that there may be some members who would not attend. The Committee was informed that a subject Councillor would not be able to use lack of training as a defence to a complaint against them concerning the alleged inappropriate use of social media, and a failure to have attended training might be taken into account when the complaint was assessed.

Resolved:

That the amended draft Social Media Guidance be agreed and adopted, having the status of Guidance.