Loophole could mean Sheffield councillors are able to get away with bad behaviour on social media

Councillors have to abide by a code of conduct but currently the rules say they can only be disciplined if they step out of line in their role as a councillor.

There is a grey area with social media as to whether they are speaking as a councillor or as an individual member of the public.

The Local Government Association is consulting on a new code of conduct and it could toughen up the rules.

Gillian Duckworth, director of legal and governance, told a scrutiny meeting: "One of the things that is quite difficult is the need for a councillor to be acting in their capacity as councillor at the time. That's a legislative requirement.

"Often with social media, a councillor is not acting as a councillor. Although it appears to be unacceptable behaviour it's not something I can deal with under the standards procedure.

"The code of conduct suggests changes so that members are councillors more than just in meetings or in wards."

Ms Duckworth also said some councillors did not take up voluntary training offered by the council. She asked the scrutiny committee for its support.

"We do have social media training for members. The take up on training is something we are seriously looking at, how we ensure the required mandatory training is done.

"I have less ability to enforce mandatory training so your support is much appreciated. I would like members to see the training as being interesting and advantageous and your help to get members to engage would be brilliant."

Sheffield Council received 22 complaints about councillors' behaviour in 2019 - with a further seven from January to March 2020. The outcomes were:

Take no action (no breach)

2019 - 14

2020 - 4

Withdrawn or invalid complaint

2019 - 1

2020 - 1

Informal resolution

2019 - 5

2020 - 1

Refer to committee with an investigation

2019 - 1

2020 - 0

Refer to committee without an investigation

2019 - 1

2020 - 1

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