Council-run market ban for political parties

Political parties will no longer be able to run stalls at markets operated by North Yorkshire Council.

The council has approved new protocols setting out what councillors and political groups can and cannot do with publicly-funded facilities. They also warn members that jokes and banter on social media can cause offence.

The authority says the restriction is necessary because it cannot guarantee equal access to pitches for all political groups.

Markets operated by town and parish councils will not be affected, with those authorities free to set their own rules, though they will be encouraged to adopt the same policy.

Political posters, banners, election signs and advertisements will also be prohibited on council-owned land and buildings, including highway verges, lamp posts, railings, fences and trees.

The protocols also prevent political parties from organising public meetings in council administrative buildings.

Political groups represented on the council can still use meeting rooms for discussions relating to council business, while other publicly available council premises can be hired on the same terms as other organisations.

Bookings by political parties during election periods will require written approval from the council's monitoring officer.

A separate protocol sets out restrictions on members use of council resources, including computers, staff time, travel expenses and allowances.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the document also states: "'Posts' can cause others to take offence e.g. jokes can be misunderstood, 'banter' can be perceived as bullying, irony can be misread. Offence can easily be taken, even where none is intended."

Councillors are also warned against responding to provocation online and are advised to take particular care before posting hurried reactions to statements or news events.

They are also prohibited from using the authority's resources for election canvassing, producing party-political leaflets or promoting private businesses.

Official council email addresses and telephone numbers must not appear on political campaign material, while civic chains of office cannot be worn for political campaigning or personal activities.

The protocols recognise that election candidates retain statutory rights to use certain publicly-funded buildings, including schools and community meeting rooms, for election meetings.

The council says the measures will help ensure public resources are used appropriately and not primarily to advance private or party-political interests.

It warns that members who fail to comply with the resources protocol could breach the authority's code of conduct.

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