Councillors raise porn alarm

COUNCILLORS have vowed to crack down on computer misuse after more than 230 computers at Notts County Council were found to contain pornographic or violent images.

Since May 2008, the council has used a package called Pixalert to scan and monitor computers.

But Conservative councillor Chris Barnfather told a standards committee meeting that more should be done to flag up inappropriate material when it arises.

This could be done with software which identifies trigger words or images at the time.

He said: "We're coming along and seeing past the event but maybe we should be stopping it arriving on the scene."

Councillor Stan Heptinstall said staff should be encouraged to report any inappropriate material they have received in e-mails. He said: "First of all, people accessing or attempting to access inappropriate sites – that's one issue to be dealt with.

"The other is receiving e-mails – we all receive e-mails – if that does happen, in a sense it's a bit hard on the recipient."

Council officers said this is already council policy but councillors said it should be strengthened and made clear.

It was also recommended by councillors that line-managers are given more training on the matter and that council policy should come up on screens when staff log-on as a reminder.

Charles Daybell, independent chairman of the committee, said it was important for the group to understand what was being done and how it was being done.

"We need to be sure the measures taken are effective. Policies need to be looked at again to check they are robust enough."

The recommendations made by the Standards Committee have been passed on for further review.

Twelve county council staff have been disciplined or are in the process of being dealt with.

Images found include those of graphic nudity, sex acts, extreme injury and mutilation, and hate and violence.

delia.monk@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk