Freedom of speech row sees council back down

A NEW tenancy agreement which could have prevented people complaining about Sandwell Council on social media has been changed – after bosses admitted they got it wrong.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service recently revealed the council had a public consultation to draft new council tenancy agreements.

One of the new clauses originally read: “You, people living with you and any visitors to your property must not use social media or any other form of communication to make false statements, abuse, threaten, harass or be derogatory towards council employees, contractors, agents or councillors.

“Communication includes telephone calls, text messages, e-mails or posting comments on social media. This condition applies wherever the communication takes place.”

But now the council has amended proposed clause.

In a Safer Neighbourhoods and Active Communities Scrutiny Board report the council said the wording had been changed.

It now reads: “You must not use social media or any other form of communication to abuse, threaten or harass Council employees, contractors or agents.”

In the report, the council argued the original clause was introduced “solely and exclusively” to protect council employees, contractors, and agents to carry out their duties free from threats.

Cllr Bill Gavan (Lab, Langley) said lessons had to be learned. He said: “I fully understand the idea behind it, our staff and our services team are entitled to the same behaviours and discretions. It’s been made out we are a Politburo here in Sandwell, and our opposition at the moment is quite happy to stir stuff.”

Asked how the council would enforce the proposed change in court, cabinet member for housing Zahoor Ahmed (Lab, St Pauls) said: “It is not about stopping anyone from using social media or preventing tenants from expressing a view about the council and its services.

“It is not about curtailing freedom of speech.”