[This is the advice note circulated to Lewisham councillors to explain the
"two clicks away" policy]
Member web pages
Increasingly
the public are using e-mail and the web to find out about local issues and
local councillors. As part of the redevelopment of the Council’s website – www.lewisham.gov.uk - we have redeveloped
the councillor pages. Officers consulted a cross section of members about their
requirements. Based on their comments our technical contractors have developed
a set of councillor pages which includes the ability to:
·
search for members by name, ward,
postcode or by using an interactive map. Quick links are also being installed
for members.
·
Member contact information, including surgeries, for all
members.
·
Web links to other sites (see notes below).
·
Have councillors own pictures and reports posted (see notes
below).
The
pages will also soon be able to:
·
Optionally accept a direct feed of ward related news from
the main website news feature.
·
Optionally of a direct feed of ward related events direct to
the ward page.
·
Link to basic ward information.
·
Have member posted local news, events, pictures and reports
(see note below).
Support
The
new pages are designed to ensure that a minimum standard of information is
given for all wards and all members, regardless of technical knowledge. As the
new pages are built on the main council computer technology it will be possible
for the Web Team to easily update individual pages at the request of members.
The
new pages will still allow those members who wish to personally author copy to
do so. Training in the Content Management System will be available. Governance support have set out a training programme for members which
includes ICT training from the eGovernment service. Additional training is
available on request.
Whether
you choose to input your own copy or not, the Web Team will endeavour to ensure
your copy is published as quickly as is reasonably possible. Requests for
support, and updates for personal page details, can be e-mailed to:
web.communications@lewisham.gov.uk
Enabling communications whilst
remaining within the law
Both
members and the authority corporately need to be able to show that the member
controlled pages are in compliance with the law on partisan activity.
Communications, supported with advice from Legal, will be able to assist members
in remaining within the law whilst enabling members to communicate freely with
citizens.
The
limitations which apply to the use of the new site are the same as those which
already apply to council funded communisations by members, including the old councillor.info.
Web pages must not be used to promote party political views. This includes a
restriction on providing links to partisan and party political websites.
Several members have
asked for advice on what sorts of web links can be installed on their
councillor web pages. Our objective is to assist members reach out to the
public, not limit communications, however the council is legally restricted
from engaging in "political" activity. The advice below is not
definitive legal advice but is being given to assist members and communications
staff develop
member pages to the satisfaction of councillors.
Personal sites
Providing they don’t
engage in partisan campaigning, links to personal sites are allowed.
Two clicks away can be OK
Some non-council sites
which discuss issues relevant to councillors might contain links to partisan
websites. This should not be a problem as this is not a direct link from the
council site. A member could link to a page on the LGA website, even if linked
on to a LGA political group site. Equally a link to a trade union site will
normally be acceptable even if that union site were linked to the Labour Party
site.
Non-partisan debate
Clearly organisations may
be involved in debating social, economic or environmental issues of interest
without being partisan, or engaging in "campaigning" contrary
to local government legislation. Links
are therefore acceptable to a range of non-political organisations, for example
charities or think tanks.
Other elected
representatives
Links to web pages for
other local elected representatives would also be allowable, provided they were
not being used as partisan campaign vehicles. For example the member pages of
the London Assembly website can be linked to.
Clear restrictions
Direct links to partisan
sites are not allowable. National, regional or local party websites, and those
explicitly of candidates for election, are partisan. So
too are those of party councillor organisations and political groups on
councils and assemblies. So, as examples, we can't link member pages to:
http://london.greenparty.org.uk/newsor
http://www.lewishamlibdems.org.uk/
We
are here to help. Queries should be directed, in the first case, to:
Rob
Yeldham, Head of External Communications
Robert.yeldham@lewisham.gov.uk
or 020 8314 6087