Councillors ‘like’ web

By Bridget Cook
THE City of Casey is “getting with the times” and allowing councillors access to social media sites.
At Tuesday night’s council meeting, councillors unanimously voted for the council’s IT systems and policies be amended to allow councillors access to sites including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and LinkedIn by the end of the month.
The council also resolved to investigate giving councillors access to cost-neutral iPhone apps that are relevant to their role as a councillor and pose no security threats to the system.
Cr Wayne Smith, who raised the motion, said he believed it was time to allow councillors access.
“We are one of the few councils not allowed to access (social networks) because of security risks,” he said.
“If there is a security risk to our system we need to do something about it.
“Not all councillors will want to. I know they are effective tools for governments at all levels. We need to get with the times and allow access for those who want it.”
Cr Bob Halsall agreed that it was a good idea.
“There are a lot of people who don’t have email, they use social media as their main address,” he said.
“We can’t change new technology, we just need to keep up with it.”