Personal Safety Guidance for Councillors

Councillors play a crucial role in staying connected with their communities, helping individuals with various issues, often beyond Council services. While these interactions are generally positive, councillors may find themselves in a position where they need to calm down angry and frustrated residents who often contact their elected representative when they feel that they have no other avenue to pursue. To support councillors, we have a number of measures in place to assess risks, prevent and handle situations where councillors might feel unsafe.

All councillors are encouraged to read the following Personal Safety Guidance for councillors;

• LGiU's Personal Safety Guidance for Councillors was first produced in 2019. It was updated in March 2021 to include information about canvassing safely in the run up to the local elections in May 2021 and include a new section on Covid-19.
• LCC's Personal Safety Guidance for Councillors This guide has been produced from material and advice provided principally by the LGA/LGiU. It should be read in conjunction with all relevant Lancashire County Council codes of practice and protocols.

Both of these guides are also available on C-First, under Councillor Protocols and Guides Personal Safety (lancscc.net), along with other useful information.