Sector statement on civility
We have joined organisations from across the local government sector in a joint statement on civility in public life for council officers and staff in response to concerns about the abuse council workers are facing whilst doing their jobs:
Local government employees play a vital role at the heart of our communities.
Every day, they deliver essential services, support the most vulnerable residents, implement democratic decisions, and ensure councils operate lawfully and effectively. They do so with professionalism, integrity, and a strong commitment to public service. Councils and their communities depend on this work, as does the wider public sector.
However, we are increasingly concerned that abuse of council staff is becoming widespread across the sector. Employees across all service areas are experiencing behaviour that goes far beyond robust challenge or legitimate scrutiny, including verbal abuse, threats of violence, physical aggression, intimidation and harassment, sustained online attacks, and coordinated campaigns targeting individuals. Disturbingly, many employees now view such abuse as “part of the job.”
As we approach the upcoming local elections, we know that political debate and democratic engagement naturally heighten. Passion and strongly held views are a healthy part of a vibrant local democracy. But these must never cross the line into intimidation, harassment, or abuse. We are already seeing an escalation in poor behaviour in the run-up to the elections, and this makes it even more important that we collectively set clear expectations now.
That is because these behaviours prevent local public servants from fulfilling their roles, impact individual wellbeing, and deter people from choosing local government as their career, risking the delivery of vital services and the integrity of our democratic institutions. Disagreement and challenge are vital and expected in local government, but abuse, intimidation, threats and harassment are unacceptable, wherever it happens.
Across our organisations, we recognise the damaging impact this has on councils’ ability to perform at their best and deliver for their local communities, as well as the individuals and families directly affected by abuse, harassment and violence. We must ensure we have strong and effective safeguards against abuse of council staff to ensure we are able to push back on abuse, whomever it comes from.
Public servants are not faceless institutions; they are real people and dedicated professionals who deserve respect as they work to serve their communities. The abuse they often endure in simply doing their job must stop.
Solace
Local Government Association (LGA)
Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS)
Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT)
Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH)
Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO)
Association of Electoral Administrators (AEA)
Association of Monitoring Officers (AMO)
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
Chief Cultural & Leisure Officers Association (CLOA)
Lawyers in Local Government (LLG)
National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC)
Society for Innovation Technology and Modernisation (SOCITM)