Standing up for common sense in New Barnet
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Filming and Recording of Council and Committee Meetings
Well well.On 30 March the General Functions Committee are considering whether they should allow bloggers and tweeters to film council meetings. They are also considering whether the Council should webcast meetings themselves. The report states that "The Council has been advised that the annual revenue cost to the authority would be approximately £14-16K per annum, including: installation; equipment hire; support services (including live monitoring, content hosting, streaming, project management, licence cost, equipment installation and hire); and 80 hours of content streaming". Sounds like good value to me. But wait. One of the options the committee is considering is "That the Committee indicate whether a report should be brought to a future meeting on the detailed financial implications of the various options for introducing a webcasting system to record Council and committee meetings". My concern is that this option gives them an opportunity to say they want webcasting and then kick it into the long grass while they "wait" for the report. I hope councillors listen to the public and make their mind up quickly.
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Maybe everyone with a camera-phone should go along to the meeting, and record the damned thing!
ReplyDeletebaarnett, what a jolly good idea!
ReplyDeleteWhy on earth are they so paranoid about the whole thing. Did the earth stop when I recorded Hugh Rayner? Did it stop when we posted everyone elses mobile phone clips of the Council meeting? Nope. The Budget was passed. Unlike many other Boroughs, Barnet had a peaceful meeting. Our form of protest was to film the events. Why can't they see that there is genuine public interest. SO what if people edit clips? It doesn't matter. Anyone who tries to manipulate the medium will lose all credibility (or is losing credibility their job).
ReplyDeletewhat they do is a separate issue to what residents may wish to do in regard to filming meetings: they cannot 'allow' us to film etc: we already have that right and have exercised it, and I hope will continue to exercise it.
ReplyDeleteAnd I will pay a reward to anyone who videos a Barnet committee in 3D. Just think - Brian Coleman coming directly out of the screen at you!
ReplyDeleteIt won't cost as little as they claim. The DPR for a PA system at the town hall ( #753 ) was for £111,768
ReplyDeleteMr Mustard, is that the same system that everybody has moaned about not working very well! They always seem to find an incredibly expensive complex solution to quite simple problems. Sadly I think you are absoluetly right that they will end up spending a fortune if they do go down this route. Why don't they just leave it to the bloggers.
ReplyDeleteI am from Carmarthenshire but same problems with my council, I was stopped from filming from the public gallery the other day, my attempt was poor but just wanted to show it could be done. I agree with the points made but it wouldn't be costly and would provide a far more worthwhile service than the millions spent on PR nonsense. I was also asked for my name and address at the end of the meeting.
ReplyDelete