Agenda item

Report of the Chief Legal Officer

The Ethics Committee considered a report of the Chief Legal Officer that provided an update of the local response regarding

The Committee had been monitoring the work of the Local Government Association (LGA) programme around Civility in Public Life and Digital Citizenship. This work was in response to the increasing concern about intimidation and toxicity of debate and the impact this had been having on democratic processes. A report was last provided to the Committee on 15th December 2022 (minute 28 referred) and remains part of the Committee’s Work Programme.

The report covered:

·  Work undertaken by the LGA including a new toolkit to help combat abuse of Councillors, aimed at putting an end to the increasing intimidation being reported by Councillors. The toolkit outlined different ways Councils and Councillors could support the Debate Not Hate Campaign objectives and take action. It was felt that at this time the resources from the LGA be kept for future reference and used as required.

·  Work of the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) and county associations on revisions to the Local Government Association (LGA) Code of Conduct Supporting Guidance “to better reflect the sector's needs” covering the general principles of Councillor conduct and application of the model Councillors' Code of Conduct.

·  The Council’s own campaign that commenced on 5th September 2022 called “Debate Not Hate” and the virtual session held on 27^th September 2022 entitled “Civility Saves Lives” held as part of National Inclusion Week and open to all Councillors and Council staff. The session discussed civility and respect and how people treat each other at work.

·  Training for Members on Chamber Skills, rules of debate and standing orders, especially for new Members joining following the May elections, to be delivered by a training provider who could offer the following to be held in June before the first full Council meeting after the elections:

a)  'Chamber Skills - Coaching for the Mayor' to be firm, fair, efficient and effective - delivered in the Chamber with the Mayor, Deputy and support colleagues, including 'Speaking at public events' if time permits

b)  'Chamber Skills and Etiquette' training for administration and opposition groups (separately) tailored to prepare Members for the first full Council meeting in June and meetings thereafter. It would cover the application of Council procedure rules, common errors, speaking and the types of behaviour expected of Members in the Chamber.

·  Social media training took that took place on 14th March 2023 which covered the variety of different social media platforms, separating personal and public accounts, as well as the positives of social media as well as how to address some of the negatives, including support from the Council as well as guidance and links to the Debate Not Hate campaign. A follow-up is to be arranged looking at accessibility good practice, security settings and adapting content for different social media platforms.

The Committee raised concerns regarding behaviour in the Council Chamber at Council meetings and welcomed the ‘Chamber Skills and Etiquette’ training that would cover the speaking and the types of behaviour expected of Members in the Chamber.  

RESOLVED that the Ethics Committee:

1)  Notes the work undertaken by the Local Government Association on their Debate Not Hate campaign.

2)  Notes the work that is being undertaken locally.

3)  Agrees that this item remains on the Work Programme of the Ethics Committee for continued review.