Decision details

The Director of Resources submitted a report for members to consider as to whether to sign up to the Local Government Association’s (LGA’s) ‘Debate Not Hate’ campaign.

Members were reminded that according to the LGA's 2022 councillor census, seven in ten councillors reported experiencing abuse or intimidation in the last year. 

In addition, the LGA have stated that they are starting to build a picture of the level of abuse and intimidation councillors receive daily for simply carrying out the role in their community.

The Report noted that the ‘Debate Not Hate’ campaign aims to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in their communities, encourage healthy debate and improve the responses and support for local politicians facing abuse and intimidation and with local elections planned for May 2023, the campaign would be very timely.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

1.    Agree to support the LGA’s Debate Not Hate campaign.

2.    Agree to take the item to the next meeting of the Parish Council Liaison Committee (2February 2023)