Councillor Len Roberts has successfully brought a new transparency to how MidCoast councillors conduct themselves on social media, in the media and online.
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At the ordinary meeting held via Zoom on Wednesday November 18, council adopted an updated Code of Conduct which includes at Media, Social Media and Websites Disclosures Register clause.
The register will ensure the community knows which digital or print platforms the councillors are involved in and hold them to account about any comments made through these outlets that may be in breech of the code.
Cr Roberts brought a Notice of Motion forward at the October 28 meeting to include a media disclosure clause in the code. His notice stated that several councils are amending their codes in line with best practice for councillors regarding media and social media, and quoted an excerpt from the Maitland City Council's policy.
"A public disclosure of interests in media, social media and websites allows the community to know who is behind such social media pages and websites and makes councillors accountable for posted content," the policy states.
After his own successful legal battle over defamatory comments made about him, Cr Roberts spoke to the importance of the matter at the November meeting.
Cr Peter Epov spoke at length in opposition of clause 5.3 in the proposed Code of Conduct which requires councillors to: disclose sole or joint administration of social media pages or websites; regular contribution to any media, social media or website (at least three times per year); and membership of any organisation that has a website or social media presence that comments on council activities on a regular basis.
He talked about concerns over privacy and costs then raised an amendment motion to adopt the code with the exclusion of clause 5.3. It was seconded by Cr Jan McWilliams, and Cr Brad Christensen and Cr Kathyrn Bell joined in the vote to amend. However the motion was lost after Cr Roberts, Cr Claire Pontin, Cr Katheryn Smith, Cr Karen Hutchinson, Cr Troy Fowler and Mayor David West voted against. Cr David Keegan was absent.
The motion to approve the Code of Conduct in full was then brought forward. Cr Epov, Cr McWilliams, Cr Christensen and Cr Bell voted against. Crs Pontin, Smith, Hutchinson, Fowler and Mayor West voted for and the motion was carried.
Councillors are required to make the initial annual disclosure by December 31, 2020 for the year ending June 30, 2020.
Council is required to review its code within 12 months of a council election or sooner if there are changes to the legislation. The Office of Local Government's recently released its 2020 Model Code of Conduct and The Procedures for the Administration of the Model Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW prompting MidCoast Council to conduct a review.
Anne Keen
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
