COUNCILLORS had  indulged in name calling in tit for tat posts on social media,it was reported at Wellington Town Council’s April meeting.

The clerk, Greg Dyke, said that some councillors were using social media to debate and comment on issues the council had been discussing.  There was nothing wrong with that and in this modern day of information technology it was a justifiable method of encouraging debate and involving the public.

But members needed to be very careful about what they published in emails, blogs, social networking sites, Twitter and Facebook. Once it was published it could not be taken back. In addition to the name calling between councillors some incorrect information had been given.

He suggested the council adopt a social media policy which was the same as the model document used by the Somerset Association of Local Councils.

There was some discussion about whether some of the wording was really appropriate and it was agreed it should be reviewed during the next year.  

It was decided that the document should be called ‘guidelines’ instead of ‘policy’. The council was very divided on the issue and it was only carried six to five.