Dear Tim Lethaby, Editor of Somerset County Gazette
Hello Tim
As the editor of County Gazette, I wanted to let you know I am concerned about how your newspaper’s recent posts on Facebook appear to incite hostility towards public officials like myself.
There have been two specific posts regarding the remuneration of Councillors and MPs that lack context and balance. The resulting comments have been negative, hurtful, and misinformed, and I’ve even noticed suggestions of threats directed towards individuals in public service, like me.
To provide some context, Somerset Council has significantly cut expenditure on Councillor allowances by £520,000 and expenses by £44,000 by reducing the number of Councillors from 267 to 110, with a further decrease to 96 anticipated by 2027. Despite having fewer Councillors, the workload remains largely the same. Some District Councillors even experienced an allowance cut once the Unitary Authority was established in May 2023.
You should be aware that an independent Remuneration Panel establishes Councillors’ allowances based on hours worked, with any increases linked to national pay awards. This means Councillors do not set their own allowance, which seems to be implied by your media platform. Additionally, many Councillors opt not to claim all their allowances or expenses; in fact, I have never claimed expenses, despite all the trips I do for casework and to attend committees or Full Council in Taunton and Bridgwater.
The time I dedicate to my Councillor work is not compensated anywhere near my professional hourly rate given my skills and experience. And the role is very demanding and challenging. Not helped by public attacks, which your paper’s posts (on facebook) are generating.
Some of us have faced harassment that has been serious enough to involve the police.
My straightforward question for you, as the editor, is whether the engagement your posts generate on Facebook is worth the negative impact they have on individuals serving in public office? I assume you are aware of the potential risks that may arise from the animosity your media platform posts can create?
We all want to encourage the best candidates to step forward as Councillors and MPs, but in the increasingly toxic environment your media platform seems to be contributing to, how many potential community leaders will be deterred from participating in local government?
I’ve used this platform to reach out to you, mirroring the way your media platform is drawing attention to public figures, like me.
Thank you for considering my concerns.
Cllr Claire Sully