Llanelli Town Council has deferred a motion aimed at developing a policy to protect staff from unsolicited and covert filming in council-managed buildings. The decision has sparked debate over the balance between the public’s right to record in civic spaces and an employer’s duty of care to its workforce.
The motion follows recent warnings from the retail union USDAW regarding a significant rise in social media abuse and unsolicited filming. Union delegates have highlighted emerging safety concerns, particularly for staff members who may be domestic abuse victims trying to keep their whereabouts private, noting that the increasing prevalence of smart glasses with built-in cameras makes covert filming difficult to detect.
Arguments for the Motion
The proposed policy sought to establish clear guidelines regarding where recording is and is not permitted within council properties, such as offices, community centres, and service points. Proponents argue that while these are civic buildings, they function primarily as workplaces where employers hold a legal duty of care regarding the physical and mental well-being of their staff.
Councillor David Darkin, who introduced the motion, stated:
“I was really troubled by the issues raised by USDAW and want our council to take an active stand.”
The motion was seconded by Councillor John Prosser, who expressed disappointment at the outcome, stating that protecting council staff is a core responsibility of the administration and that the deferral represented a missed opportunity to support the workforce.
Council Response and Legal Context
Independent councillors voted to defer the motion, citing the need for further research into the legal and practical implications before committing to a formal policy layout.
The issue touches on a complex area of public and private access. While members of the public frequently argue that filming is permissible in public spaces without consent, legal frameworks differentiate between open public land and workplace premises. Under standard guidelines, commercial properties like shops and public body offices can implement rules regarding photography and filming to protect the privacy and dignity of employees.
According to USDAW, unauthorised filming can amount to a serious invasion of privacy with a measurable impact on workers’ mental health. Deputy General Secretary Rab Donnelly characterized the practice as a form of intimidation and an invasion of privacy, particularly affecting those in vulnerable situations.
Next Steps
Because the motion was deferred rather than rejected, the proposal remains on the council’s agenda pending further review. In the interim, council staff will continue to operate under existing workplace guidelines while the necessary research is conducted to determine how a specific policy against unsolicited recording could be legally structured and enforced.
