Council hits back at social media trolls, saying: ‘We do not take back handers’

West Berkshire councillors have asked people on social media to stop saying they take back handers.

The plea was made at a full council meeting last Thursday, which heard the plaintiff cry: “I think we should make it really, really clear to members of the public out there that there is no back handing, no gifts, no hospitality.”

It was made by Richard Somner (Con, Tilehurst South and Holybrook), who said: “One of the things that I do see regularly on social media is aimed at members of the planning committees accused of receiving gifts, or as often seen on social media, ‘back handers’.

“Can we state categorically that I have never known anyone receive so much as a cup of tea on a planning committee.”

His comments were made as the council was presented with a report on its own performance, listing the number – not the item – of gifts declared to the council register.

The report states that standards of ethical conduct across the district remain good.

The number of gifts and hospitality declared by officers is on a par with pre-Covid numbers, although there has been a reduction in the number of gifts declared by councillors.

The intention of the rules governing gifts and hospitality is to ensure that the council can demonstrate that no undue influence has been applied or could be said to have been applied.

“Backhanders? In 33 years as a councillor I have never seen a smidgen,” said council leader Jeff Brooks (Lib Dem, Thatcham West), who put the ethics report to council, which also noted the number of complaints lodged about councillors.

“I was invited out for a pint by a developer once, but was afraid to drink the pint!

“One of the reasons I don’t engage with social media is there is a group or groups who use it as a platform to say the most egregious things about councillors.

“They describe us as if we are all venal creatures. That is why I am not drawn in to social media.

“There are quite a lot of things that keep me awake, but the conduct of West Berkshire councillors isn’t one of them.

“If a complaint or issue can be resolved by talking to each other not only does it potentially fix it, it saves money.

“Sorry isn’t the hardest word.

“It is behoven on us to say I got that wrong. We are mortals, not saints.”

The Bribery Act 2010 creates a number of offences where a gift or other benefit is given or offered, which may amount to an offence of bribing another person, and/or of being bribed.

Therefore, if councillors or officers are offered a ‘gift’ or other benefit by a third party, this could amount to an offence not just by the person offering the gift, but also by the member or officer concerned and by the council.

Offences under this legislation can be committed by a person offering a gift or reward, even if the gift is not accepted.

There were 11 declarations of gifts or hospitality received by members during 2024/25.

This, says the report, represents a decrease on the previous year, although it should be noted that declarations are frequently made of gifts or hospitality received that is below the value that requires it to be declared – £25.

There was also a decrease in the number of gifts and hospitality declared by officers, with 47 declarations made during 2024/25, which is a considerable decrease from 73 declared in the previous year and more closely aligned with pre-Covid numbers.