Social media is a minefield, but one councillor must effectively navigate to succeed, it has been claimed.

In modern times, there is a high chance your local representative is engaging with residents through the likes of Facebook and Twitter, but that relationship has been called into question by some councils in recent weeks.

Rochford councillors expressed their fears that they were being ‘gagged’ by a new policy, while Castle Point residents were up in arms over a motion which they feared would attempt to reduce the amount of interaction councillors have with the public.

While David Manclark, who stood as a Tory borough council candidate in Canvey’s North ward in 2016, has been suspended by the Castle Point Conservative Association for being critical of the Conservative party on social media.

Conservative Castle Point Councillor, Colin MacLean, had no hesitation in stating social media is his greatest tool to communicate with his residents, insisting his job would be ten times more difficult without the service.

He said: “As an example, the biggest complaint any councillor receives is that the public only hears from us at election time.

“A councillor is just a part-time position, so it is very difficult to find time to engage with residents across the area.

“But I can hit thousands of residents a week through social media, and I can hear their complaints, and their questions, and give feedback or take issues forward.

“Provided you are sensible, it’s the most effective way to communicate.

“It is not a political opinion or political point scoring, it is about making yourself readily available.

“Complaints come directly to you, so say if there is some graffiti, I will have photographic evidence almost immediately, it is much easier than a phone call or writing a letter.”

And the councillor, who can regularly be seen speaking to residents on Facebook, admitted a number of issues come when councillors fall into the trap of arguing amongst themselves and criticising the opposition.

He added: “If you are only using social media to be critical of opposition or the council, then, of course, it is a bad representation of the council, and of you as a councillor.

“Arguing amongst yourselves has no benefit either, residents should not have to see that, and it does not benefit them.

“It all comes down to having respect, making sure you know the facts, and remembering your position.

“The day you are elected, you are no longer just Colin MacLean, you are Councillor MacLean for Cedars Hall.

“Councillors must remember that you will always be linked to your authority and you are representing them always.

“The last thing the public want to see if councillor’s arguing with each other on Facebook.”

And Basildon Labour Councillor, Gavin Callaghan, echoed Mr MacLean sentiments, insisting again it is a great tool, pointing towards the support he has gained for a foodbank collection which has received a huge amount of public support over the last two weeks.

He added that social media is one of the few opportunities councillors get to interact with their electorate in an unedited way.

He said: “I have been using social media in a political sense and in political campaigns since 2012 now.

“Social media allows you to very quickly engage with a large audience, and it makes sure what you want to say gets into the public in a completely unedited and undoctored way, which is important.

“I do think a lot of the negative stuff is over egged in a way, I am not the kind of councillor who would warn other councillors not to use social media, or tell them how to use it, but I would say if you are not prepared to see something critical, it may be best you stay away.

“I have almost 4,000 followers on Twitter, and I think a large part of that is because I engage in an authentic way.

“I will use the same tone that I would in council and I think that is important, to remain professional at all times.

“The public reward you if you are honest and engage with them.”