Yes the site does contain visual images of staff and elected members and we will look at this in more detail.

Elected members are public figures and as such their faces are posted on the council web site and publications that are displayed throughout council buildings. Some also spend some time in front of cameras promoting East Renfrewshire (some more than others).

We utilise these images of our public figures who are elected by the public of East Renfrewshire and paid an allowance by the residents of East Renfrewshire which we obtain from the council web site (which is paid for by the public) and other media, like the council facebook page (paid for by the public), Photographs taken by council staff (paid for by the public).

We also utilse other sources like You Tube.

There was an event last year that we reported on and a number of elected members were present and provided an interview on camera. We have used several images from the video, and like all of our images they have never been photoshopped or altered in any way.

We are aware that one elected member in particular hates the image that we have used recently of her.

However all that we can say is that is how you actually look, if you were to look in the mirror, that is your image and we have not altered it in anyway.

Members of staff at East Renfrewshire Council are paid a salary by the residents of East Renfrewshire. We utilise photographs of them when required to highlight or provide an image to compliment an article or story.

We obtain these images from either the council web site or other media that they, the council, have posted them on.

We would have to suggest that if the staff do not wish to be identified and share their images on the internet then they should not pose for photographs in the first place.

Image of Councilors and Members of staff which is currently displayed on the council facebook page.

In addition some of the images being displayed, ERNHW Limited own. Like this one which was taken from a video that was commissioned by ERNHW Ltd and after the council went in a huff a few years ago they asked for it to be taken down. This request was refused and they had their chief solicitor (paid by the public) write and request again that it be taken down. ERNHW Ltd offered to sell it to the council for the sum of 1 pence, Jim Sneddon who features in the video sellotaped a 1 pence coin to a piece of paper and sent that. This was sent back and a cheque requested, but this was refused by Jim Sneddon.


Jim Sneddon Head of Democratic Services

b) We would strongly dispute that the council have any justification in law to even consider legal proceedings. We would also highlight that people placing comments against photographs are called memes, and are intended to be humourous.

We would also have to suggest that those without humour should not view these images.

ERNHW Limited will await with interest any correspondence from the ICO concerning Data Protection Issues.

What does this actually mean?

Tom will not be in a position to telephone Jim Sneddon and ask how he is doing and wish him a Merry Xmas, or send him a Xmas Card.




However he will be in a position to continue to submit FOI requests.