To consider a report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services proposing a variation to the existing constitution relating to photography, broadcasting or recording of meetings.
Contact:C Meadowcroft 388021
Minutes:
The Panel received and noted the content of a report by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) proposing an amendment to paragraph 17A of the Council’s Constitution relating to the filming, recording and taking of photographs at meetings that are open to the public and the use of social networking and micro-blogging websites.
Members were advised that the amendment had arisen as a result of new guidance produced by the Department of Communities and Local Government in June 2013 entitled “Your Council’s Cabinet – going to meetings, see how it works – a guide for local people”. Whilst the guidance relates to meetings of the Cabinet only, Members agreed that it would be reasonable for any new Procedure Rule to apply to all meetings held by the Council which are open to the public.
The Head of Legal and Democratic Services referred to the circumstances surrounding the filming of the Council meeting on 26th June 2013 by a member of the public. In that respect, Members’ attention was drawn to correspondence sent to the Panel’s Chairman from the individual involved on the proposed variation and the Panel were advised of the representations made.
Members recognised that some members of the public attending meetings may not wish to be filmed. However, they were of the opinion that those making representations would normally expect to be filmed.
Having had their attention drawn to the circumstances in which termination or suspension of filming might occur, the Panel felt that there would be no benefit in halting filming after a defamatory statement has been made. Furthermore, Members suggested that future training for Chairman be adapted to include dealing with such situations.
Members supported a proposal that the Chairman should have the power to require filming to take place from a specific location or locations in appropriate circumstances.
The Panel agreed that it would be preferable for anyone proposing to film, record or take photographs of a meeting to advise the Democratic Services Team in advance of the meeting and to provide their name and contact details.
A discussion then ensued on the streaming of Council meetings live on the internet by the authority and Members requested the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to investigate the possibilities and cost of using such technology.
Other matters discussed included the importance of communicating the rules for filming on agendas, the use of mobile phones at meetings and the definition of a public place. Members also considered whether Members of a committee should expressly be prohibited from texting or tweeting during a meeting, but whilst it was considered such actions would not be appropriate, it was agreed that this should be left to the common sense of individual Members and controlled, if necessary, by the Chairman.
Given that the change requires an amendment to be made to the Council’s Constitution, the Panel
RESOLVED
(a) that full Council be recommended to approve the proposed variation to the Council’s Constitution as set out in paragraph 3.4 of the report now submitted;
(b) that Annex (vi) be amended to reflect the changes identified by members above; and
(c) that, to avoid any potential difficulty in the interim, the guidelines for filming, recording and taking photographs at meetings open to the public be introduced informally pending their formal approval by the Council on 25th September 2013.
Supporting documents: