Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee continues to rely on the WLGA social media guidance;

(b)       That the following be asked to submit any suggestions for updating or improving the guidance to the WLGA:

·           North Wales Standards Forum

·           The Council’s Monitoring Officer, Head of Democratic Services, the Communications Team and ICT Manager; and

(c)       That the Committee makes representations to the WLGA on the need to update the guidance to reflect the wider platform of social media channels and highlight the potential dangers to users.

The Monitoring Officer presented a report to consider whether the Council should adopt a social media protocol, following previous discussions.  Whilst the current policy did not impose any restrictions, it set out guidelines mainly for officers on the careful use of social media which could also apply to Members.

Guidance on the use of social media - previously published by the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) - had been shared with the Committee.  It was suggested that the Committee may wish to submit comments to contribute to a review of the guidance by the WLGA.

Mrs. Phillipa Earlam spoke in favour of this and suggested a wider discussion at the North Wales Standards Forum.  She also said that views could be sought from the Monitoring Officer, Head of Democratic Services, the Communications Team and the ICT Manager who were mentioned as sources of advice in the WLGA guidance.

Mr. Ken Molyneux agreed that an update of the WLGA guidance should be pursued.

The Monitoring Officer referred to the Committee’s remit and suggested that feedback could focus on the prevention of breaches of the Code of Conduct.

Councillor Johnson said that the views of Town and Community Councillors should also be accommodated when submitting comments to the WLGA.

Mrs. Julia Hughes asked whether the WLGA guidance had been made available to new Members since it was originally circulated.  The Monitoring Officer replied that it had been covered as part of the ‘Safety First’ training sessions for new Members.  Mrs. Hughes said that the guidance should be updated to reflect the wider platform of social media channels now available and to highlight the potential dangers.

The points raised were summarised by the Chairman and agreed by the Committee.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee continues to rely on the WLGA social media guidance;

(b)       That the following be asked to submit any suggestions for updating or improving the guidance to the WLGA:

·           North Wales Standards Forum

·           The Council’s Monitoring Officer, Head of Democratic Services, the Communications Team and ICT Manager; and

(c)       That the Committee makes representations to the WLGA on the need to update the guidance to reflect the wider platform of social media channels and highlight the potential dangers to users.