The chair informed the committee that she had added
this item on the agenda as the council is increasingly moving
towards digital services and councillors are ever more dependent on
digital devices and social media. Both these factors potentially
have an impact on the role of councillors and in particular the way
in which they interact with constituents and also with officers
within the council.
During the discussion on the
item the following points were made:
-
At the moment there is no specific guidance for
members within the code of conduct regarding social media and
digital technology and there is no training specifically related to
this.
-
In view of the increasing use of
social media, improper use of social media could be a potential for
a code of conduct complaint against members.
-
There may be a need for clearer
guidance on when a member, whilst using social media, is acting in
their capacity as a member, as a campaigner or in their private
capacity.
-
Officers to look at the feasibility of providing
guidance and training for members in social media and digital
services.
-
The director of law democracy pointed out that at
present, the terms of reference of the standards committee
includes to advise, train or
arrange to train councillors on matters relating to the
members’ code of conduct but does not include broader member
training. She advised that there is a proposal going to council
assembly on 16 March 2016 to amalgamate the standards committee
with the audit and governance committee, which would be renamed the
audit, governance and standards committee to reflect the different
roles. The existing standards sub committees on civic awards and
conduct would be retained as sub-committees of the audit,
governance and standards committee.
-
The standards (conduct)
sub-committee would be vested with matters relating to the training
of members on the code of conduct and consideration could be given
for its term of reference to include broader member
training.