Agenda item

Resolved: It is recommended that Democratic Services Committee: Approve the establishment of a Task and Finish Group of the Democratic Services Committee to focus on handling harassment abuse and intimidation for Councillors while promoting Councillor safety at a local level.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services provided an overview of the report contained in the agenda pack and outlined the proposal to establish a Task and Finish Group.

Members welcomed the establishment of a Task and Finish Group and commented that there had been a change in terms of people’s actions and attitudes since the pandemic with increased levels of online abuse. Members noted that it would be useful to look at information that may be available in the education sphere and to identify why there has been a change in culture and any underlying issues.

Resolved: It is recommended that Democratic Services Committee: Approve the establishment of a Task and Finish Group of the Democratic Services Committee to focus on handling harassment abuse and intimidation for Councillors while promoting Councillor safety at a local level.