Corporate Scrutiny Panel – 26 September 2011
PRESENT: Councillor Glover in the chair.
Councillors Wilson (Vice-Chair), Bainbridge, Eckhardt, Marper, Oldfield and Wells.
The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.
14 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – There were no declarations of personal or personal and prejudicial interests.
No whip was declared.
15 MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of this panel held on 25 July 2011, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the chairman.
16 PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK– There were no requests received.
17 SOCIAL MEDIA SCRUTINY REVIEW – The Chairman welcomed Sergeant Mckellar-Main, Humberside Police’s ‘tweeter’ for North Lincolnshire to the meeting. Sergeant Mckellar-Main informed the panel that Humberside Police launched a Twitter pilot on 8 April 2011. There were thirteen accounts covering the Force. Twelve individual officers covering the four divisions had accounts as well as a corporate account for the whole Force.
The tweets were a combination of crime prevention messages, updates on ongoing incidents (all made anonymously), information on issues affecting the community and Police Federation matters. On top of that, some personal observations were made with the addition of humour to show the human side of the job.
Sergeant Mckellar-Main provided members with statistics on the number of Twitter followers, Humberside Police’s reason for using Twitter, feedback on the pilot and his own personal thoughts on the success and usefulness of using Twitter.
Members then engaged in a discussion with Sergeant Mckellar-Main on Humberside Police’s use of Twitter, as well as discusing the responses to the members questionnaire with North Lincolnshire Council employees on the use of social media.
Resolved – (a) That Sergeant Mckellar-Main be thanked for attending the meeting and for answering members questions, (b) that the presentation be received with thanks, and (c) that the findings from the panel’s questionnaire be noted.
18 ADDED ITEM – There was no added item for consideration at the meeting.