Issue - meetings

The committee received a report from the Democratic Services Manager regarding the review of the Council Audio and Visual Recording Protocol.

 

Members of the committee made the following comments regarding the report:

 

i.        The positive benefits of selective professional recording and streaming of Council meetings was highlighted. Reference was made to the recent budget council at Brighton and Hove Council. It was however noted that in the absence of a budget for these types of activities, the protocol should enable third parties to record more freely.

 

ii.          Differentiation was suggested between rights for the press and public with regards to filming. It was suggested that the press were subject to professional restrictions, which the general public were not. It was also emphasised that due to the nature of some of the business of the council, members of the public may not wish to be identified and that as a rule the press respected these requests.

 

iii.          Further information was requested on the complaint. The Chief Executive agreed to send details to members of the committee outside of the meeting regarding the complaint. In light of the response it was asked whether it would be possible to create a zone in meeting rooms, which could not be filmed. The Democratic Services Manager acknowledged the suggestion, however explained that this might be difficult to achieve in some venues.

 

Following debate it was suggested that the existing protocol should be deleted and that subject to safeguards for members of the public, recording should be permitted. It was also agreed that filming should be overt. Councillors also welcomed the tone of the County Council policy.

 

It was agreed to delegate the wording of the guidance to Chair, Spokes and other members of the committee to finalise.

 

Resolved (6 votes to 0) to recommend to Council:

 

That the revised Audio and Visual Recording Protocol be approved.