Contact: Jeff Pattison, ext 7321

1 Members Web Pages - Acceptable Use Policy

1.1 At the County Council meeting on 23 November 2006, members gave their consideration to a report and recommendation from the Governance Committee about the adoption of an Acceptable Use Policy for members' web pages.

1.2 The purpose of the Policy is to govern the content of members' web pages so as to protect the interests of both the County Council itself and also the individual position of members. The Policy is consistent with those adopted by other councils which operate members' web pages. The question as to whether members wish to make use of these web pages is entirely at their discretion. Certain core contact and committee details are maintained centrally. It is for the members to decide the extent to which they want to provide additional information.

1.3 At the County Council meeting on 23 November 2006, there were several questions raised by members about the interpretation and implications of the Policy insofar as it might inhibit the information that they may wish to include on their web page. It was therefore agreed that prior to any decision on the Policy, I should arrange a seminar for members so that a full discussion could take place on any questions or issues that members wished to raise.

1.4 The seminar was held on 9 January 2007 and a full discussion took place, not only on the reasons for the Policy and its implications, but also on technical matters.

1.5 As a result of the questions raised at the Council meeting on 23 November and also at the seminar, I have drawn up a list of questions, together with their respective answers, which hopefully will assist members in their decision as to whether the Policy and the members' web pages facility will be adopted for use by the Council. This is attached.

1.6 For ease of reference a copy of the report presented to the Governance Committee on 26 October 2006, together with a copy of the Policy, is attached.

2 Recommendation

That the Council implements the members' web pages initiative and adopts the Acceptable Use Policy attached as an appendix to this report for endorsement by all members wishing to use the web pages.

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1. Report and Appendix on Members' Web Pages to Governance Committee on 26 October 2006

2. Acceptable Use Policy Q&A's