Cheshire East Council is set to approve measures to protect councillors facing abuse, as a survey revealed that one third considered resigning due to harassment. The council chair remarked on the necessity to protect members, while the deputy leader identified this as a national issue. The survey indicated alarming statistics, with two-thirds of councillors reporting incidents like death threats, stalking, and property damage. Most harassment occurred online. Council leaders emphasized the importance of developing supportive procedures for councillors to combat this growing problem.
Councillors will discuss the plans at a meeting later. Cheshire East Council Two-thirds of Cheshire East's councillors responded to a survey on harassment, abuse and intimidation and said they had faced incidents including death threats, stalking and damage to their cars or property.
Labour's Fiona Wilson, who was in charge of the group set up to look into the problem, said she thought the public would be "surprised and disappointed" about the levels of abuse.
Michael Gorman, the council's deputy leader and leader of the Independent group, said the figures reported in the area were "shocking" but said there were similar problems in other councils.
We have to accept that we need to protect councillors going forward, and we've worked really hard to bring forward a whole range of procedures that will support councillors if they have any concerns in this area.
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