Agenda item

MOTION: LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

Minutes:

Proposed by Councillor Chris Blakeley

Seconded by Councillor Ian Lewis

 

Council:

 

(1)  Welcomes public engagement in the democratic process. Council notes the growing use of blogs and microblogs by members of the public and notes that many sites now also include video and audio recorded at Council meetings.

 

(2)  Reaffirms its commitment, made last year by the previous Conservative Liberal Democrat administration, to ensure that any member of the public who wishes to film or broadcast from a public Council meeting is encouraged to do so.

 

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

 

Proposed by Councillor Jim Crabtree

Seconded by Councillor Denise Roberts

 

Add additional paragraphs:

 

(3)  Council would not wish to see proper debate constrained in any way by the presence of cameras or audio equipment and therefore asks the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management to clarify in writing for members the position on qualified privilege which may go some way to allay fears about unfounded legal actions arising from detailed recordings of proceedings.

 

(4)  Council further asks the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management to draw up a protocol on the use of material designed to prevent any abuse of material which could be harmful to councillors who are legitimately engaged in the processes of democracy.

 

(5)  In the meantime, the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management is asked to re-circulate the original guidance he produced when the issue first arose.

 

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

 

Proposed by Councillor Dave Mitchell

Seconded by Councillor Pat Williams

 

Add additional paragraph:

 

(3) However, Council is concerned to protect the rights of members of the public, petitioners and others who are not elected members and may interact with the Council and its committees. Council asks the Director of Law HR and Asset Management to ensure that the Chairs of committees are appropriately briefed.

 

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

 

The mover of the motion agreed to accept the amendment moved by Councillor Mitchell.

 

The amendment proposed by Councillor Crabtree was put and carried (38:26) (One abstention).

 

The substantive motion (as amended by both amendments) was put and carried (64:0) (One abstention).

 

Resolved (64:0) (One abstention) –

 

Council:

 

(1)  Welcomes public engagement in the democratic process. Council notes the growing use of blogs and microblogs by members of the public and notes that many sites now also include video and audio recorded at Council meetings.

 

(2)  Reaffirms its commitment, made last year by the previous Conservative Liberal Democrat administration, to ensure that any member of the public who wishes to film or broadcast from a public Council meeting is encouraged to do so.

 

(3)  However, Council is concerned to protect the rights of members of the public, petitioners and others who are not elected members and may interact with the Council and its committees. Council asks the Director of Law HR and Asset Management to ensure that the Chairs of committees are appropriately briefed.

 

(4)  Council would not wish to see proper debate constrained in any way by the presence of cameras or audio equipment and therefore asks the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management to clarify in writing for members the position on qualified privilege which may go some way to allay fears about unfounded legal actions arising from detailed recordings of proceedings.

 

(5)  Council further asks the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management to draw up a protocol on the use of material designed to prevent any abuse of material which could be harmful to councillors who are legitimately engaged in the processes of democracy.

 

(6)  In the meantime, the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management is asked to re-circulate the original guidance he produced when the issue first arose.