Agenda item

9.20pm – Councillor Stephen Cowan moved, seconded by Councillor Michael Cartwright, the special motion standing in their names:

“The Council agrees that elected representatives serve at the pleasure of the public and that the public has a right to know what is done in their name. It notes that no verbatim minutes are kept of any council meeting and that allowing members of the public to make audio and video recordings will cost nothing, make for a more comprehensive public record and will help improve public scrutiny.

The Council therefore resolves to delete the current Standing Order 21(g) and replace it to read:

“Members of the public are entitled to photograph, film and make audio recordings of all public council meetings and committees.””

A speech on the special motion was made by Councillor Stephen Cowan (for the Opposition).

Under Standing Order 15(e) (vi), Councillor Mark Loveday moved, seconded by Councillor Harry Phibbs an amendment to the motion as follows:

“Delete all and insert:

“This Council resolves to delete Standing Order 21(g) and replace it to read:

‘(g)   The Council will provide reasonable facilities for any member of the public to report on meetings that are open to the public:

(i)      The taking of photographs, filming, recording or any other means of communicating the proceedings of a meeting shall be permitted.

(ii)     The Council may ask for the taking of photographs, filming, recording or other communication of a meeting to be undertaken in such a way that it is not disruptive or distracting and that it is carried out in a way which is conducive to the good order and conduct of the meeting.

(iii)    Attendees should be informed that a meeting is being photographed, filmed or recorded.

(iv)        The Monitoring Officer will (in conjunction with the Overview and Scrutiny Board) from time to time provide guidance on the taking of photographs, filming, recording or other means of communication of the proceedings of any meeting.’”

Speeches on the amendment to the special motion were made by Councillors Mark Loveday and Harry Phibbs (for the Administration) and by Councillor Stephen Cowan (for the Opposition).

The amendment was put to the vote:

FOR                            unanimous

AGAINST                   0

NOT VOTING0

The amendment was declared CARRIED.

The substantive motion as amended was put to the vote:

FOR                            unanimous

AGAINST                   0

NOT VOTING0

The motion as amended was declared CARRIED.

9.35pm – RESOLVED:

This Council resolves to delete Standing Order 21(g) and replace it to read:

“(g)   The Council will provide reasonable facilities for any member of the public to report on meetings that are open to the public:

(i)      The taking of photographs, filming, recording or any other means of communicating the proceedings of a meeting shall be permitted.

(ii)     The Council may ask for the taking of photographs, filming, recording or other communication of a meeting to be undertaken in such a way that it is not disruptive or distracting and that it is carried out in a way which is conducive to the good order and conduct of the meeting.

(iii)    Attendees should be informed that a meeting is being photographed, filmed or recorded.

(iv)        The Monitoring Officer will (in conjunction with the Overview and Scrutiny Board) from time to time provide guidance on the taking of photographs, filming, recording or other means of communication of the proceedings of any meeting.”