Melton councillors set new policy to address abusive attacks

They are concerned about a significant rise in abusive behaviour aimed at councillors and officers from members of the public, particularly via social media.

Some members have also flagged up incidents of fellow councillors also making personal verbal attacks on them.

It all fits in 2022 research by the Local Government Association (LGA) which found that seven out of 10 councillors had experienced abuse from the public in the previous year.

They are running a Debate Not Hate campaign to raise awareness of the issue and Melton councillors voted to back the initiative.

Members voted at the latest full council meeting to support a motion proposed by Councillor Pip Allnatt, recently elected as both a councillor and new leader of the council, which reads: “That Melton Borough Council joins Councils across the country in supporting the Local Government Association’s Debate Not Hate campaign.

“In so doing, the Council is setting a clear and positive expectation regarding acceptable behaviour, both within the Council, but also from members of the Community, and wishes to make clear that abuse of Members or Officers, in any form, and directed to any person, is not acceptable.”

It was seconded by Councillor Malise Graham, leader of the opposition Conservative group, who voiced concern about a recent ‘terrifying ordeal’ where a council officer was abused by a member of the public.

"This behaviour is totally unacceptable – our signs in reception say that we take anti-social behaviour seriously and this will strengthen that,” he told colleagues.

Councillor Pat Cumbers told the meeting: “There has been too much nastiness within this council over the last few years and some of us have been victims of it.

"This has impeded the way we work with each other so I welcome this new motion.”

Members are worried that the levels of abuse some councillors are experiencing will put people off standing for council at future elections.

The motion ensures that such behaviour will be taken seriously, with offenders called out and a potential of legal action being taken against them.