Possible New Code of Conduct for Trowbridge Town Council
CHANGES made to the standing orders of Trowbridge Town Council following a row about photographing, filming and editing of council meetings could result in a new code of conduct.
The change follows incidents in which council meetings have been uploaded to social media and websites in a way which could be misinterpreted.
Council leader, Stewart Palmen, said at the last full town council meeting he also intends to review the council's code of conduct following recent breaches by some councillors.
At the November 17 full council meeting, councillors voted 15-4 with one abstention to change the standing orders.
Complaints were made that the new orders infringed on freedom of speech and were legally unenforceable. But town clerk and chief executive Lance Allan said it is simply the council asking its councillors to be polite.
He said the council expects reasonable people to act reasonably and that, if necessary, they could obtain legal advice from the National Association of Local Councils, which represents the interests of 10,000 local town and parish councils in England.
www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/18936149.trowbridge-code-conduct-change-may-elections/