Agenda item - Review of Guidance on Social Media and Member Correspondence

Report of the Executive Lead Officer, Strategy, Governance & Law

1)             That the Committee review the Guidance attached as Appendix 1 and consider approving it formally as a means of assisting members in remaining with the Code of Conduct.

11.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Lead Officer, Strategy, Governance & Law that sought approval for the revised draft Guidance on Correspondence and the Use of Social Media for Members.

11.2      Councillor Hill noted that she recalled indicative timeframes set out for Members to respond to correspondence but that did not appear in the current or proposed guidance in the report.

11.3      The Senior Lawyer confirmed that indicative timeframes had been set out in previous versions of the guidance however, it was felt that approach was out-moded and a new approach was felt needed to shift discretion onto Members according to their circumstances

11.4      Councillor Bagaeen noted that concerns had been raised by his Group who had found the revisions either unnecessary or insufficient and therefore, he would not be supporting the report recommendations.

11.5      The Chair welcomed the report and the updates had improved the guidance and brought it up to date with modern methods of correspondence from residents.

11.6      RESOLVED- That the Committee review the Guidance attached as Appendix 1 and consider approving it formally as a means of assisting members in remaining with the Code of Conduct.