Social media ban on Arun councillors mentioning colleagues is rejected

The guidance, which was discussed at a meeting of the cabinet on Monday (October 19) gave a list of ‘dos and don’ts’ for members using Facebook, Twitter and the like.

Conservative leader Shaun Gunner was one of several who felt the ‘don’ts’ – which included not talking about other councillors or officers without their permission and not criticising them at all – flew in the face of transparency and the need to scrutinise decision making.

While leader Dr James Walsh initially said he would sign up to the guidance, he quickly changed his mind, saying speaking about other members was ‘normal currency’.

He added: “Councillors are fair game as long as there is respect and [it’s] not offensive or discriminatory.”

Fair game is one thing, but there were disturbing claims from Matt Stanley (Lib Dem, Marine) that some councillors had been attacked on social media because of their age or their disability.

When it came to conduct within the council, deputy leader Francis Oppler said he was in favour of having firm rules in place to protect people.

He added that he felt those rules had already been broken ‘in some quite significant ways’ though he gave no details.

Paul English (Con, Felpham East) told the cabinet that the social media guidance had been ‘kicked into touch’ in the past as it was seen as being ‘too outlandish, too much against councillors speaking and totally undemocratic’.

It was agreed that the guidance would be sent back to the standards committee for another look.

A suggestion from Paul Dendle (Con, Arundel & Walberton) that councillors should not use social media when they have had a drink or two were dismissed as ‘impossible to monitor’.