Those holding ‘official positions’
City of York Council’s decision-making executive group is made up of councillors who each have responsibility for an area of council policy and business. These areas of responsibility are referred to as executive ‘portfolios’.
Chairs of Committees should consult with the communications team on any matters relating to the work of their committees. In particular chairs must make it clear when they speak to the media if they are speaking on behalf of the Council.
The Lord Mayor, in respect of their civic responsibilities, may also speak on behalf of the Council in publicity relating to their civic responsibilities.
Officers who are directly approached by a member of the media should not answer questions themselves. The journalist should be referred to the communications team, which will manage the response.
Councillors who are directly approached by a member of the media may make use of the guidance contained in this protocol.
Officers and councillors who have contact with the media in a personal capacity or as members of non-council related organisations must not refer to their council posts and must make it clear to the journalist concerned that they are speaking in a personal capacity or on behalf of the non-council related organisation.
Trades union officers or political assistants, who are employees of the Council and who have contact with the media in their trades union or political capacity, must make clear that they are speaking as a union or political group representative. If trades union officers have contact with the media in their capacity as a council employee, then the relevant provisions of this protocol relating to council officers will apply.