'Evil' keyboard warriors attacked by Bridgnorth councillors

Councillor Edward Marshall told a meeting of Bridgnorth Town Council he was concerned about “unacceptable personal abuse of the mayor and some others” on Facebook.

Other town councillors also told of their own experiences of online abuse.

The authority passed a motion to “uphold an environment and culture that encourages people to consider standing or working as a councillor” following a discussion on the issue at the meeting on Tuesday.

Councillor Marshall said: “I’m aware that my comments are very unlikely to change the minds of those who post what I consider to be inappropriate.

“They have a right to do what they like, so long as it is lawful. That does not prevent me from saying what I think.

“I would prefer people to be more civil, courteous and tolerable.

“I would like to see all councillors abiding by the council’s code of conduct at all times.

"This means following the spirit of the code of conduct at all times.”

Councillor Kirstie Hurst-Knight said: “I think these are evil and unfair comments, tarring us all with the same brush, that are very hurtful and offensive.”

Councillor David Cooper said: “As individuals and representatives of the committee we have a responsibility to behave in a manner which engenders respect in the office of councillor.

"Our responsibility extends to public interactions in every form.”

However Councillor Richard Fox said better communication by the council would help reduce negativity.

Councillor Fox didn't support the motion in the form it was proposed, saying the tone came across like "a headteacher scolding naughty children."

He added: "The reason people have such negative views of the council is in the past the council has behaved in odd ways that people have not understood and there has been behaviour that has brought the council into disrepute.

"There is a negative view in town of the council.

"If we want to change that the idea is not to reprimand people about the way they speak about us but we have to work hard to communicate the fantastic things that we're doing and the new consensus we're building.

"You can't tell people what to think about you, you can only change it, and it takes a long time to build a new perception."

After a speech by Councillor Dr Julia Buckley the motion was amended to propose that councillors hold themselves to high standards online,

She said: "Media is just a reflection of reality, we need to change the reality if we want the reflection to look better.

"Facebook isn't going anywhere, most people outside this room love Facebook.

"The smart play here is for the council to interact with Facebook in a positive way.

"We should put more energies into sending out the positive things we are doing through Facebook so the people who consume Facebook receive just as many positive messages as negative ones."

The motion, was amended to say: "This council, through the actions of its elected members, commits to upholding an environment and culture that encourages people to consider standing or working as a councillor and is opposed to anything that would frighten or otherwise discourage anyone from being a councillor."

It was passed by members unanimously.