Cheshire East councillors unanimously back measures to combat abuse of elected members

Cheshire East Council has backed a number of actions to help combat the “abuse, intimidation and harassment” of elected members and offer them support, after a survey showed that more than a third had considered stepping down as a result of harassment faced within the role.

Details: 08.Aug.2025

Councillors on the authority’s corporate policy committee unanimously voted through the measures following a review which revealed the levels of abuse many councillors had endured.

The approved measures include the introduction of a formal reporting process, the appointment of a nominated officer for councillor safety, development of a comprehensive councillor safety protocol and the provision of “lone-working devices”.

The council also backed “targeted training” around conflict prevention and wellbeing, and agreed that the authority “reaffirm its commitment” to the Local Government Association’s ‘Debate Not Hate’ public statement, to help support and encourage civility in public life.

The key findings of the councillor survey revealed:

35% of respondents had considered leaving their role as a councillor because of incidents of abuse, intimidation or harassment;
43% of respondents felt the volume of abuse, intimidation and harassment had increased in the last 12 months;
Over half (53%) of councillors felt council arrangements for protecting them personally were ineffective;
82% of members had experienced harassment, abuse and intimidation via social media; and
Female councillors significantly more likely to feel at risk ‘frequently or occasionally’ (41%) compared with male councillors (4%).

Death threats, excrement posted through letterboxes, stalking, trolling and obscene phone calls were cited as examples of the harassment, abuse and intimidation experienced by councillors.

Cllr Fiona Wilson, chair of the review’s task and finish group, revealed that Cheshire East has since engaged with the police and the police and crime commissioner and taken their advice on the reporting of incidents.

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She said: “It is positive that councillors now have a dedicated named police officer contact for raising concerns.”

Welcoming the decision to approve the recommendations in full, council leaders councillors Nick Mannion and Michael Gorman, said in a joint statement: “Councillors are local leaders and champions, bridging the gap between residents and local government. Becoming and serving as a councillor is a massive privilege and responsibility – but it also means councillors are very visible, often easily accessible to residents and all too often receive appalling abuse.

“We welcome this report and the necessary steps to protect our democratically elected members from abuse, harassment and intimidation. We need debate, not hate – and a kinder public discourse.”

Lottie Winson