Decision details

The Chief Executive submitted a report for Committee to consider the broadcasting of Council and Committee meetings and the varying options available.

At present there were no facilities in the Council Chamber or Committee rooms to enable the recording or live streaming of meetings, and there was currently no legal requirement to do so. Some authorities recorded and/or broadcasted their meetings in order to make these available to the public on their respective websites.

The report noted that the current government had committed to reconsidering the ability to hold hybrid Committee and Council meetings with an evidence-based approach following a request from the Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO) and Lawyers in Local Government (LLG).

The Council’s Democratic Services Team had investigated the options available for Committee to consider, which were attached to the report. It was also noted that some equipment in the Council Chamber was now obsolete and required replacing. 

Members raised different opinions and felt it was important to maintain accountability and transparency. It was suggested that the Council await potential changes to legislation from central Government before spending the large amount required to install the necessary equipment, to ensure this was fit for purpose. Members noted the intermittent issues with the microphones and other equipment and invited a capital bid in order to replace existing equipment as required.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

1.    Agree to defer the decision until the current Government have reconsidered the ability of Members to attend meetings remotely, and

2.    Request that a capital bid is submitted for consideration for the replacement of equipment as required.