Social Media Policy
Halton Holegate with Fenside Parish Council
Adopted Feb 22
Review by: February 2025
1. Introduction
1.1. Social media refers to websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking. Examples of social media websites include Social Networking e.g. (eg. www.facebook.com), Video sharing – (eg. www.youtube.com), Micro-blogging (eg. www.twitter.com), Message boards (eg. www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbsn/home)
1.2. Social market is a key part of the PR toolkit, specifically for:
1.2.1. Communication – directly communicate important and timely messages, news and information, promote events and improve awareness of services
1.2.2. Engagement – seek opinions, share conversations and engage with residents to improve residents’ knowledge and correct misconceptions
1.2.3. Collaboration – find more efficient ways of working together and sharing information which can change or enhance the perception of the council's services
1.2.4. Advertising – target specific audiences outside existing networks with relevant information and calls-to-action in a more cost-effective way than traditional media
Council Use of Social Media
2. Principles
● To publish information about the work of Halton Holegate Parish Council to a wider audience.
● To avoid entering into online debates or arguments about the Council’s work. Social Media must NOT be used in the recruitment process for employees or new councillors - other than for the sole purpose of placing vacancy advertisements - as this could lead to potential discrimination and privacy actions, as well as breach of data protection issues.
3. Approved Council Social Media
● Parish Council website
4. Users of Council Social Media
● No one (other than the Chairman deputising for the Parish Clerk) has the authority to issue public statements on behalf of the Council.
5. Guidance for Council Officers on the use of Council Social Media
● Officers should be familiar with the terms of use on third party websites
● No information should be published that is not already known to be in the public domain – ie. available on the Council’s website, contained in minutes of meetings, stated in Council publicised policies and procedures, etc.
● Information that is published should be factual, fair, thorough and transparent.
● Everyone must be mindful that information published in this way may stay in the public domain indefinitely, without the opportunity for retrieval/deletion.
● Copyright laws must be respected. You must have written permission from the original copyright-holder before using any photo or video. It is generally illegal to use imagery from the internet without permission. Copyright cannot be transferred from a third party, such as a school. Stock image libraries all have restrictions on usage. You must check the licensing agreements.
● Conversations or reports that are meant to be private or internal must not be published without permission.
● Always attempt to seek consent before loading images You must not take or use any images of young or vulnerable people without written permission from their parent or guardian.
● Other organisations should not be referenced without their approval – when referencing, link back to the original source wherever possible.
● Do not publish anything that would be regarded in the workplace as unacceptable.
● Councillors must remember that they will be seen as ambassadors for the Council, and should always act in a responsible and socially aware manner.
6. Third party Social Media and Individual Councillor Usage
Councillors need to think about whether they are acting in a private capacity, or whether any impression might be conveyed that they are acting for and on behalf of Halton Holegate Parish Council. The Council has adopted a Code of Conduct which is binding on all members. If you use Social Media in your official capacity as a councillor, you should always be mindful of the Code, and of the seven Nolan principles applicable to holding public office – selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
Do:
● Set appropriate privacy settings for any blog or networking site
● Watch out for defamatory or obscene posts from others on any blog or page and remove them as soon as possible to avoid any perception that you condone such vies
● Be aware that the higher your profile as a councillor, the more likely it is that you may be seen as acting in an official capacity when you blog or network
● Ensure any Council facilities are used appropriate – if using a Council-provided blog site or social networking area, any posts that you make are extremely likely to be viewed as being made in your official capacity
● Avoid publishing any information that you could only have accessed in your position as a councillor
● Be careful if making ‘political’ points, and avoid being specific or personal about individuals.
Don’t:
Comment in haste
Post comments that you would not be prepared to make in writing or in face-to-face contact Use Council facilities for personal or political purposes
Never:
Post comments that are in breach of the Council’s Equality and Diversity Policy or that incites violence or hatred.
Policy Review
● Halton Holegate Parish Council will review this policy as is necessary and appropriate, or at a maximum of three years after adoption.