Can Councillors be forced to have a separate PC email address?

Question

Further to the earlier discussions in this thread - can anyone tell me whether as Parish Councillors we can be forced to have a separate PC email address - for which there is a facility through our PC website host.
Many of us on our PC have requested that our own personal email addresses are not publicised although we all have a telephone number publicised on the PC website.
There has recently been a contentious issue in our village which has resulted in some residents sharing the private email addresses of Councillors and emailing them on their personal email addresses. In my, and others, view formal contact with Councillors on council matters should be through the clerk.
There is now a move for us all be issued with a PC email address - with no personal choice in this matter. Can this be forced on us?
What would happen in the respect of Councillors who do not use email?
Thank you for any responses.

Answer 1

There is no legal requirement to move to Councillor email addresses, it would need to be discussed at a council meeting and decided upon but it is highly recommended because it keeps them separate from your personal email.  Also if the Council receives an FOI request and Councillors are using personal emails they are included and in some cases the ICO has permission to go through them so it is much better to have a separate Councillor address.

Answer 2

It can't be forced on you - but using your own personal E Mail address could make compliance with GDPR 2018 difficult.  The Council have to comply with that regulation and you and your E mail are then part of the Council. If you get E mails from paritioners, then you are handling personal data in most cases and you have obligations as to how you manage it and keep it secure.  With a separate council E mail, that obligation would fall mainly on the council data controller.  When using your personal E mail you then assume a data controller role and that makes it very difficult to know how well the Council is complying.

Answer 3

Thank you both