The chief executive of Caerphilly County Borough Council has told opposition councillors the authority did not give permission for its official logo to appear on a Labour Party social media leaflet, warning that the inclusion could create the impression of a council endorsement of a party political view.
What happened
A leaflet posted on the Caerphilly Borough Labour Councillors Facebook page last week criticised the newly formed Plaid Cymru Welsh Government over additional learning needs (ALN) funding. The post featured the council’s official logo, the council colours and the slogan “working for our communities”, but it did not include Labour party branding.
Following complaints from Plaid Cymru councillors, the council’s chief executive, Ed Edmunds, told the Plaid group leader, Cllr Charlotte Bishop, that council officers had not been involved in producing the leaflet and that permission had not been sought to use the logo. He said he had asked for the logo to be removed and reported that this action had been taken.
"The inclusion of the Council logo could, in my view, give the impression that this is a Council endorsed position and not a party specific political view."
Responses and concerns
Cllr Bishop said the chief executive’s confirmation backed up her concerns about a breach of rules that separate party political publicity from the authority. She described the use of the logo as a blatant breach of clear rules and said she was disappointed the council leader had not apologised.
The chief executive’s intervention underlines the sensitivity around use of council branding. Local authorities in the UK are expected to avoid appearing to favour one political party when using official insignia and other corporate materials.
Practical impact for residents and councillors
- The episode highlights how easily official imagery can be interpreted as an endorsement when used alongside political messaging.
- Councillors and campaigners should seek formal permission before using council logos or corporate design elements on publicity materials.
- Opposition groups may challenge the use of branding they view as blurring the line between council business and party politics.
Timeline
| Event | When (as reported) |
|---|---|
| Leaflet posted on Labour councillors' Facebook page | Last week |
| Plaid Cymru complaints raised | After publication |
| Chief executive confirmed no permission given and requested logo removal | Following complaint |
Council leaders and party groups in Caerphilly will now be mindful that the use of council insignia on political material can prompt formal challenges and demands for clarification. The chief executive’s written response, and the subsequent removal of the logo from the post, are likely to be cited in any further local discussion about acceptable practice.
As this matter concerns the separation of council resources and party political activity, residents wishing to raise concerns about similar cases can contact the council’s monitoring or governance officers for guidance on proper use of corporate branding.
