The intimidation and abuse of councillors, in person or otherwise, undermines democracy; preventing elected members from representing the communities they serve, deterring individuals from standing for election, and undermining public life in democratic processes.
This council notes that increasing levels of toxicity in public and political discourse is having a detrimental impact on local democracy and that prevention, support and responses to abuse and intimidation of local politicians must improve to ensure councillors feel safe and able to continue representing their residents.
This council therefore commits to challenge the normalisation of abuse against councillors and uphold exemplary standards of public and political debate in all it does. The council further agrees to sign up to the LGA’s Debate Not Hate campaign. The campaign aims to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in local communities, encourage healthy debate and improve the response to and support for local politicians facing abuse and intimidation.
In addition, the council resolves to:
· Use the LGA template letter to write to the local Members of Parliament to ask them to support the campaign
· Use the LGA template letter to write to the Government to ask them to work with the LGA to develop and implement a plan to address abuse and intimidation of politicians
· Regularly review the support available to councillors in relation to abuse and intimidation and councillor safety
· Work with the local police to ensure there is a clear and joined-up mechanism for reporting threats and other concerns about the safety of councillors and their families
· Take a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of councillors and officers
Decision:
Council
Agreed the following motion:
The intimidation and abuse of councillors, in person or otherwise, undermines democracy; preventing elected members from representing the communities they serve, deterring individuals from standing for election, and undermining public life in democratic processes.
This council notes that increasing levels of toxicity in public and political discourse is having a detrimental impact on local democracy and that prevention, support and responses to abuse and intimidation of local politicians must improve to ensure councillors feel safe and able to continue representing their residents.
This council therefore commits to challenge the normalisation of abuse against councillors and uphold exemplary standards of public and political debate in all it does. The council further agrees to sign up to the LGA’s Debate Not Hate campaign. The campaign aims to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in local communities, encourage healthy debate and improve the response to and support for local politicians facing abuse and intimidation.
In addition, the council resolves to:
· Use the LGA template letter to write to the local Members of Parliament to ask them to support the campaign
· Use the LGA template letter to write to the Government to ask them to work with the LGA to develop and implement a plan to address abuse and intimidation of politicians
· Regularly review the support available to councillors in relation to abuse and intimidation and councillor safety
· Work with the local police to ensure there is a clear and joined-up mechanism for reporting threats and other concerns about the safety of councillors and their families
· Take a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of councillors and officers
Minutes:
Council had been in session for four hours and voted by affirmation to continue.
This item was discussed after item 16.
The Leader explained that abuse of councillors, in person, in writing or online, was getting worse and so the threshold for intervention was getting higher. The consequence of this was that good councillors were resigning and there was a risk that councillor membership would be less diverse. Abuse of officers, who did not have a right of reply, was also increasing. She urged Council to set the right example by agreeing the motion and send a clear message that this abuse was unacceptable.
Councillor Heather Williams expressed her support for the motion and agreed with the Leader that the councillors in this authority needed to set the right example. She explained that abuse and threats affected not just councillors, but also their families and people around them.
Councillor Brian Milnes stated that he would support the motion. He considered that the behaviour of councillors in the Chamber had improved but was aware of the unacceptable abuse from the public.
Councillor Mark Howell suggested that councillors needed to support each other. He explained that the majority of the public were fine but a vocal minority could use the internet from anywhere in the world and abuse an elected representative anonymously. Councillor Sally Ann Hart agreed with Councillor Howell that councillors should support each other and show empathy for those who suffer abuse.
Councillor Tom Bygott supported the motion, which was protecting democracy by trying to ensure that normal people were able to stand for election.
Councillor John Williams suggested that abuse had increased due to social media and urged councillors to behave to each other in the way in which we wanted the public to behave to us.
Councillor Bill Handley explained that he had witnessed bad behaviour at parish council meetings and that abuse affected all tiers of local government. He stated that unfortunately friendships had suffered by taking a standpoint on a public issue.
Councillor Sue Ellington supported the motion and hoped that in many cases an appropriate response could diffuse a volatile situation.
Councillor Daniel Lentell explained that he had received abuse when he had become an independent Councillor. He praised members for having the courage to do their jobs in the public arena, despite the threat of abuse.
The Chair applauded the motion and thanked councillors for helping her to facilitate the debate.
The Leader proposed and Councillor Heather Williams seconded the motion. A vote was taken and by affirmation Council
Agreed the following motion:
The intimidation and abuse of councillors, in person or otherwise, undermines democracy; preventing elected members from representing the communities they serve, deterring individuals from standing for election, and undermining public life in democratic processes.
This council notes that increasing levels of toxicity in public and political discourse is having a detrimental impact on local democracy and that prevention, support and responses to abuse and intimidation of local politicians must improve to ensure councillors feel safe and able to continue representing their residents.
This council therefore commits to challenge the normalisation of abuse against councillors and uphold exemplary standards of public and political debate in all it does. The council further agrees to sign up to the LGA’s Debate Not Hate campaign. The campaign aims to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in local communities, encourage healthy debate and improve the response to and support for local politicians facing abuse and intimidation.
In addition, the council resolves to:
· Use the LGA template letter to write to the local Members of Parliament to ask them to support the campaign
· Use the LGA template letter to write to the Government to ask them to work with the LGA to develop and implement a plan to address abuse and intimidation of politicians
· Regularly review the support available to councillors in relation to abuse and intimidation and councillor safety
· Work with the local police to ensure there is a clear and joined-up mechanism for reporting threats and other concerns about the safety of councillors and their families
· Take a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of councillors and officers