HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

This is a new one.

An article in the LT today states that councillors are getting a new guide on data protection which apparently precludes writing about your work as a councillor on blogs and social networking sites.

Not had anything in my correspondence yet, but if my posts suddenly get a lot more fluffy then you know I've either been gagged or I need to grow a new pair.

If it's true I wonder who came up with that idea?

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

yeh but if ya use the P.M. system others aint gagged.:D;)

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Who watches the watchers?

You know what the internet is like, nothing is as private as you think.

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

What will you do if you are told not to talk about work on here??!!
Seems a bit silly if you ask me but then like you said we have a good idea who came up with it...............;)

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Oh am well aware of that, more n one way to skin a cat ken.;)

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Ken it is a report coming to next weeks Cabinet meeting - http://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/downloa..._Equipment.pdf

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Do they class forums like this as social networking?

I can see lots of officers/councillors creating new anonymous accounts on forums if it goes through.

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

I can actually see the point if the computers or laptops that are used to access the Internet are council owned, but banning councillors from posting about their work on social networking sites, your having a laugh, but if that's the case Ken there's a mate of mine will do you a great deal in carrier pigeons seeing we're going back to the dark ages:D If your interested PM me;):)

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

You mean people like Ken, Neil, if we see a new member called the Laird of Rishton it won't fool us will it:D

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Unless there's some clause or other in a contract somewhere you've signed up to effectively gagging you, I can't see how that can work ?

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

I think that they do class forums such as this as social networks. however how I understand the document it refers to divulging information that you received because you are councillor and which is privileged. It also deals with not naming people etc.

A lot of the report deals with use of HBC IT equipment and their email system, some councillors have laptops, printers and internet connection provided by HBC, whilst others (myself and Bernard included) get a monthly allowance (which is a taxable) to cover use of their own equipment. It is pretty standard for companies to have a policy regarding what employees can use the companies computer system for.

Neil - if you read my link I would be interested to see what you think of the report.

The thing that concerns me is that they may be trying to censor how I interact on Facebook - which certainly has nothing to do with my role as a councillor. I do have lots of links to Labour Party and Union info but this is in a private capacity.

Nobody watches or reads anything in the pm system because of the laws the owner has to keep copies of pm's but even he has nor wants an easy way to view them, and for anyone to be able to read them they would have to produce the absolute correct documentation for him to even attempt looking there.
You, me, anyone can pm with the knowledge that they are private.

Excuse me? How long have Councillors been employed by HBC? Aren't they the peoples representatives placed there to do the bidding of the electorate?

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

I am sorry if I gave the wrong impression in my post but I was not saying that councillors were employed by HBC - just pointing out that most companies have similar policies for what purposes their IT equipment can be used for and most ban use of certain sites on their computers.

The councillors are definitely the people's representatives.

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

thankfully its only called a guide ken.

hope you tell them to stick it up their backsides.

the way this council is getting i wouldnt dare use one of tehir in house computers for fear of ithaving a key logger on the system

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Let's have a look at the relevant part of the policy, which can be viewed in full at:-

http://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/downloa...ment_V4_1_.pdf

"Care must be taken when using any personal websites, blogs or social networking to ensure that your personal use and your official capacity as a Councillor do not merge. If you do not make the distinction clear, your personal website and any views it contains, could be viewed by
others as an extension of your official duties as a Councillor and therefore indirectly the collective views of the Council. When using such sites you should consider whether you are acting in your capacity as a councillor or not. If you give the impression that you are (for example, by referring to information you received in your capacity as a councillor), then you will be subject to the Council’s code of conduct. You should also avoid criticising named individuals online, as the laws of libel will apply to what you say."

All sounds like common sense to me. The internet is another arm of the media, like the newspapers, radio and TV. It doesn't gag councillors, merely reminds them of their responsibilities in how they behave as representatives of the Council. Broadly speaking, and leaving aside the odd personal dig at the beloved Leader, that's how they have always behaved on this site!

Therefore the Councillors can use any means at their disposal to communicate to their subjects?
Without fear or favour?
Or, is this another thing at our medal wielding head of the boroughs discretion? Similar to closing toilets on a whim?

No wonder people don't vote, he is used as the stranglehold on everything!
You want votes?
Stop this megalomaniac, encourage the sensible Tories to join with you, let's lose this loser.

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Looks like there is going to have to be an overuse of the word 'allegedly" :D

Or PB will from now on have to be in code,
May I suggest BP?

Oh, heck no they have better lawyers.

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Won't be long before they try passing a rule where nobody can speak in Hyndburn without council permission. At least most of the conservative councillors are well practised at it :)

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Most of the councillors who post on here, do so as ordinary citizens, speaking their own mind.

The only person who's posted on here, who drew attention to his status as an elected offical in the borough, was TheLeadersOffice HBC, otherwise know as one Peter Britcliffe.

His post have referred to council business.

Me thinks someone should perhaps pracitice what they're preaching.

If this is just an attempt to gag opposing views, it won't work.

I'll happily post verbatim what any councillor happens to tell me, if it's in the public interest, and I won't break any rules doing it, forum, or legal.

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

I might have used humour on here, but have never posted one thing about any politican that would stand up in court as being libelelous.

Dressing up as Betsey Trotwood, in Lancashire's damp climate, will result in a wet muff.

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

So much for a new era of transparency and openess in politics.

Most politicians who post on here make it very clear which hat they're wearing.

This just seems yet more evidence of megalomanical control.

The thought police will be drafted in next.

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

That's quite different, which I accept.

We get a message every time we log in on an HBC machine that e-mails are liable to be read by an in-house third party should they so wish and no correspondence should be classed as 'private'. That I can deal with, it's supposed to be for official council use after all.

If anything gets said about censuring Facebook or Blogspot then I think there may be a few councillors who aren't terribly happy about it and some considerably damaging press for The Leader.

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

I always did have a problem of an office being a member on here, is an office not an inanimate object;)

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Obviously the answer is use your own computer Ken, and say stuff it, just a thought:rolleyes:

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

So odd were the posts, written in the third person, getting decimal points and commas mixed up when giving numbers, it was only thanks to people like you, that we knew who it really was, and not some off the wall comedic hacker.

:D

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

For you my un named maybe or maybe not a councillor fellow AccyWebber, it would be a pleasure to read and comment back :D

I know a few people who have got themselves in the deep dodo at work for things they posted on facebook. Often things about other work colleagues, insulting management or the company etc. Its a bit like the modern equivalent of doing something stupid at the staff Christmas party and getting sacked the day after for it.
Most large companies have staff who read local/national press and now websites looking for things that could affect the good name of the company. The Council is again a bit different as your image does not really affect your ability to do your business.
If I worked for a bread manuafacturer for example and posted on my facebook status about the flour stores being full of rats I could seriously affect my company if it was picked up by the newspapers.

Most companies have rules about doing things out of work that may have a negative impact on work. Not sure what I think about Councillors because you are not really employed by the Council as such and many Councillors appear to think the way forward is by insulting the opposition at every possible occasion.

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Yes, I remember that shocking story in the press.

I think we have a thread about the 'Silly cow' incident.

In fairness though, those outrageous incidents are few and far between, at least on here.

;)

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

I can't belive that this pile of tripe has gone on for 2 pages, (knowing my luck this will be the start of Page 3, (tit's out less)),

There surely is no way anyone can stop a councillor addressing his/her constituents?

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Just a quick aside, did you know the dodo was a bird that went extinct in or around 1681?

I think you mean doo-doo

doo-doo (dhttp://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/oomacr.gifhttp://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/prime.gifdhttp://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/oomacr.gifhttp://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/lprime.gif)n. Slang Fecal matter or something likened to it.

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

I did not know you were an expert on doo doo Less

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Ok so I don't use my name on here, but when I first joined Accyweb most people had nom-de-plumes (also at that point I never thought I might become a councillor). And I have never made my identity a secret. But please do read the info.
:o:o

As far as I am aware the only people I have offended on Facebook where some American relatives, who had some pretty way out ideas about gun control in the UK and I did put them right about our country.

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

;)

Congratulations.

You made it to page three.

;)

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Agreed.

Personal choice, and most people choose a username.

As you say, you were an active member here long before being elected.

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Everything a Councillors says and does is a reflection of not only themsleves but the party they represent and also the Council they represent.

Put like that it is probably worse than a normal employee. Things they did before standing for election can also be used against them - that tends to happen more at Government level though.

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

You might want to give your councillor a jolly good probing.

As for me, their past is largely irrelevant.

I'm just happy if they do what they say they'll do, on their election pamphlets.

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

I have read both documents and I think the policy looks pretty good. To me the policy is trying to protect Councillors and it says a similar one exists for Officers.

Everything you post on here or facebook or in email etc could be used against you by members of the public or other Councillors.

A good example of that is Kens comment about the houses in Rishton not being pulled down yet - that has made whoever said they have look daft.

I could give you good examples of both Councillors and candidates making themselves look bad on facebook but I wont.

I don't comment about my work place as such on here or facebook. I don't post about who I work for either because I don't want anything I say coming back at me in the same way I would not like to see something you wrote getting you in trouble.

I do know people who have been in front of the boss because of online comments.

I read that a lot of divorces now use evidence from facebook about who is doing what with whoever. If that can be used in court then your comments about whatever could be.

It says things like dont post something you would not say face to face with the person and other sensible things like that. Just be careful what you post and think of the policy as a guide to safe internet usage.

Even on a forum like this an annoymous person can be traced by the police if they do something to break the law. Loads of paperwork needs to be filled in and court orders and who knows what is needed to get IP adresses that can be traced by ISP's to find out who posted it.

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

I think, as in the rest of life, if you tell the truth, don't say anything libelous, and don't do anything to be ashamed of, you haven't got much to worry about.

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

I agree but different people think different things are ok.

As an example some people would think your toe sucking in a public house

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

I should have been clearer, and said 'don't do anything to be personally ashamed of'.

If I worried what other people considered shameful I'd never be able to leave my house.

Being silly, posing with your wife's foot, didn't make me ashamed. It amused me, and others.

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

The policy is there to cover councillors, and presumably there is also one for employees.

As for the rest of us, we can continue to post whatever we like within the realms of legality and decency.

I, for one, will take full advantage of that privilege!

:hehetable

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Just as councillors can too.

;)

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

....yes but we don't have to worry about incurring the wrath of the (alleged) Scaitcliffe Stasi!

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Unless they break either forum rules, or the laws of the land, I think they have nothing to fear at all.

Even if this doesn't suit some people.

:rolleyes:

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

You see I did serve as a very valuable addition to AccyWeb, how else would you have known of these snippets of information:rolleyes:

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

If this was a pantomime Less I would now cry "Oh Yes There Is":D

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Think its only in recent time that people have started using there own names G. I once contemplated asking mick to change my screen name to my own, but at that point there was no point as all the regs know exactly who I am anyway:hehetable

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Well that is probable a daily occurance in Gs life Neil so quite exceptable:D

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

I think gynn the rules and regs regarding council computers may have come into being in the days when councillors didn't have their own machines but there was one in the members room at the old cardboard castle, allegedly somebody had been surfing porn channels at the time, now how true that is I don't know:rolleyes:

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Councillors from Accy had better watch out if the stasi get this software:D
Sacked for Googling 'knockers': The civil servant caught out by laptop snooping software | Mail Online

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

As far as I can see, insults aren't really that necessary a lot of the time. Printing the facts of what is being proposed is usually quite enough to get a negative point across.

Most of the councillors are pretty civil to one another, it's only the odd one who refers to me in private as 'The Bald-Headed ****** From Rishton'.

No insult at all really, purely factual. I am bald admittedly, but I assure you my parentage is impeccable.

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Well if it is, you certainly aren't no son of mine!
;)

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Silly cow.

:rolleyes:

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

I wonder if Councillor Britcliffe has been on the phone to President Mubarak of Egypt, swapping notes on how to restrict internet access by the restless natives?

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

why would they call you after a file? I used a bastard file in metal work at school and it was quite effective :)

ahh its because of the shiney dome at the end i guess :D

http://mydthomework.com/images/tools/file.jpg

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

If Peter Britcliffe loses power in May, will he hand over the log in details of the Leader's Office account?

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

That is not allowed and would probably get the account banned

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

I would imagine it would have to wait until years of recounts and judicial inquiries ;)

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

In that case then, would the account be barred from posting as it would be a false log in ?

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

I'm sure that the mod's would should such an unlikely event occur, use their discretion and allow a change of user name, it's happened before and I'm sure it will happen again.

(Remember that young lady that came on with the user name, I'm a virgin?)

After the first accyweb meet she went to, well, it would have been embarrasing had she been refused a name change, for plenty of members!
:eek:

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Oh god what have I done, every lady member will be claiming...

THAT WAS ME!
:rolleyes:

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

As long as it isn't offensive, you can call yourself whatever you like.

I was going to be TheCatSatOnTheMatUnderTheQueensThrone, but feared some lazy arse would shorten it to The Catty, or even just T.

Plus, in the past, if people ask nicely, it is possible to change, or alter a username.

;)

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

We don't ask for proof of id, you could have chosen superman if you wanted :rolleyes::D

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Stop being sensible when I am trying to wind him up :p

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

My twelve year old godaughter, Peter Britcliffe, wants to know how she can join the forum please?

:D

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Just sign up like all the other spammers :D

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

What do you mean if:D

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

You mean you wind people up cashy who'd a thout thad:D

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

God and Peter Britcliffe is an oxymoron, well according to most on here:D

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Keyboard still a bit dodgy, after spluttering coffee on it?

Your 'o' 'x' and 'y' might need a wipe down with a damp cloth.

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Why

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

I think they might be sticking.

Oxymoron.

O, x, and y?

Get it?

Ok, I'll get my coat.

:D

Re: HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?
 

Ya and close the door quietly on your way out:D