Monday 24 February 2025
Dear colleague
Local elections are to be held in the Shropshire Council area on Thursday 1 May – for Shropshire Council, and for town/parish councils in the Shropshire Council area (where contested). The pre-election period starts on Monday 10 March, when the notice of election will be published, and ends at 10pm on 1 May. During this time specific restrictions on publicity and other activities are in place.
During the pre-election period, the rules change on what we can and can’t publicise. In short, the council can't carry out any activities that could be construed as influencing support (either positively or negatively) for a politician or political party. This will affect the way we deal with the media, and extra care must be taken by service areas with social media accounts.
In particular, council officers cannot:
- Produce publicity on matters which are politically controversial.
- Arrange proactive media or events involving councillors.
- Issue or publish photographs, videos or audio which include councillors.
- Make references to individual politicians or groups in press releases.
- Supply council photographs or other materials to councillors or political group staff if they may be used for campaigning purposes.
- Continue hosting third party blogs or e-communications.
- Help with national political visits.
The pre-election restrictions are governed by Section 2 of the Local Government Act 1986, as amended in 1988.
It is important to note that pre-election rules restrict activity wider than just publicity. Use of council facilities and resources; the member’s code of conduct, developing new policies and holding of events - including some meetings - featuring councillors must all be carefully considered during this period of heightened sensitivity. We must also consider whether to launch or run consultations or campaigns during this period.
To guide councillors and officers through the pre-election period, the Local Government Association have produced a helpful guide - A short guide to publicity during the pre-election period | Local Government Association
If in doubt, please contact the communications team for advice at communications@shropshire.gov.uk.
Please remember that during the pre-election period, the ordinary functions of councils should continue, but some restrictions do apply, by law, to all councillors and officers.
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