Barking councillors to follow new social media guidelines

Barking and Dagenham councillors are to be subject to new social media rules aimed at clarifying professional expectations and mitigating significant risks associated with online activity. The guidance, presented to the Standards Committee on Monday, February 2, 2026, provides a framework for councillors on how to use social media responsibly.

The new guidance is intended to mitigate risks including the permanence of online content, legal repercussions from inaccuracies, defamation, and breaches of the Data Protection Act 2018. It also aims to protect members by outlining professional expectations and the consequences of inappropriate use.

The draft Social Media Guidance for Members, authored by Dr. Paul Feild, Principal Standards & Governance Lawyer, acknowledges the growing importance of social media in public life. It emphasizes that councillors are personally responsible for their online presence and for securing their accounts. Councillors are advised to include a statement on their personal social media profiles clarifying that their opinions are their own and do not reflect those of the Council.

Key aspects of the guidance include advice on working with the Council's Communications Team, the responsible use of personal social media accounts, and caution regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated content. The Council's Communications Team is responsible for approving all corporate social media accounts and will maintain a record of accounts, moderators, and passwords. They will also work with service areas to develop pages and monitor accounts, advising on appropriate use. Councillors are encouraged to seek advice from the Communications Team if they have any queries about the policy and/or use of social media sites.

Councillors are advised to seek advice from the Communications Team on policy and social media use, and to be aware that AI-generated content may not always be accurate. It is explicitly stated that Using AI will not provide a defence to a defamation claim or a breach of the Council's Codes of Conduct. Councillors are responsible for any AI material they post and must check that it conforms to the code as if they wrote it themselves. This includes checking if the AI makes a data breach or discloses personal information.

The guidance also outlines expectations for using corporate Council social media accounts, stressing adherence to Council values and ensuring posts are not libellous or offensive. It further details protocols for using social media during emergencies and electoral periods.

During emergencies, the Council's Communications Team is responsible for coordinating and publishing verified emergency information on corporate channels. They may share updates from official MET Police and NHS social media pages. It is crucial that messages do not interfere with or contradict official advice or alerts, and councillors should not post information updates to corporate social media accounts during an emergency without the approval of the Communications Team. However, content can be shared from the council's official Facebook and Twitter accounts. In the lead up to an election, detailed guidance will be produced by the Chief Executive in their capacity as the Returning Officer and will be available from the Monitoring Officer.

Even with a disclaimer on personal social media accounts, councillors must adhere to the Council's policies and procedures. They must not post, share, or approve/like comments or posts that could bring the Council into disrepute or be damaging to its reputation. They must safeguard confidential information and not share or discuss any council matters unless officially released. They must also not post, share, or approve/like offensive or libellous comments, images, video, audio clips, or information about other Councillors, residents, clients, customers, partners, or Council Staff. Personal social media use must not interfere with council business, especially during meetings of a quasi-judicial nature. Furthermore, personal social media must not be used to pass adverse comments or opinions of Council Services or its employees.

Managers managing corporate social media accounts will monitor comments and apply the Council's agreed social media house rules to Members and Staff. Failure to comply with the social media policy may potentially be considered a breach of the Councillors' Code of Conduct. Furthermore, anticipated statutory changes to the councillor standards regime include powers for authorities to suspend councillors for up to six months, with the option to withhold allowances, and potential disqualification for repeat offenders or in serious misconduct cases.

This guidance is detailed in the Report - Social Media Guidance document, available here. Further information on anticipated changes to the councillor standards regime can be found in the Standards Committee - anticipated changes to come Feb 2026 document, available here.

The meeting agenda and full public reports pack can be accessed via the following links: Agenda frontsheet Monday 02-Feb-2026 19.00 Standards Committee and Public reports pack Monday 02-Feb-2026 19.00 Standards Committee.