Councillor abuse ‘becoming a national problem’

A council has been prescribed to sign plans to bring in measures to deal with councilors, it was considered after a survey found around a third, it was considered to stand on misconduct and harassment.

Fiona Wilson, who presided over the review at the Cheshire East Council, said it was “disappointing” that the authority had to look at the issue, but said the council needed to “accept”, it had to protect the members.

Council Deputy Leader Michael Gordeman said that “national reaction” needs to be because misuse “was becoming a national problem”.

Councilors will later discuss plans in a meeting.

Two-thirds of Cheshire East councilors A survey responded to harassment, abuse and intimidation And said that he had to face incidents including dangers of death, staring and damage to his cars or property.

Overall, 82% of harassment was reported on social media, with 62% individuals, 51% via email and 20% on the phone.

Labor’s Fiona Wilson, who was in charge of the group established to see the problem, said he felt that the public would be “surprised and disappointed” about the levels of misuse.

“It worries me because the impact with councilors – with experienced councilors working hard for their communities, who do not want to stand again,” he said.

“We have to accept that we need to protect the councilors going forward, and we have really worked hard to bring forward a full range of processes that will support councilors if they have any concern in the region,” he said.

Council’s Deputy Leader and Leader of Independent Group Michael Gordeman said the figures mentioned in the area were “shocking”, but said that other councils also had similar problems.

“I think we need a national response. It is becoming a national problem,” he said.

“I think this government is listening and I think they really need to take some action,” he said.

He said that he realized that the social media platform needed to “catch”.

“My father and my grandfather both fought for democracy in WW1 and WW2 and in the trenches against dictatorship, they are probably wandering in their graves now, because I think I think I think right now, this is not this country.

“England is based on democratic values, not hatred and misuse,” he said.

“People who do not have, are people who are giving their time and energy and are constantly being intimidated and abused through online and email and face -to -face, damaging our cars, whatever we have learned from this report and reports at the national level … is the time to start doing something about it.”

The council is presenting a formal reporting process, training in prevention of conflict, and releasing security equipment.