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Cllrs who are obstruction the Scottish Governments Community Participation Scheme?
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TOPIC: Cllrs who are obstruction the Scottish Governments Community Participation Scheme?

Re: Cllrs who are obstruction the Scottish Governments Community Participation Scheme? 4 years, 11 months ago #7

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This legislation came into effect in England.

Filming and Recording at Public Meetings

Filming and Audio Recording of Council Meetings – The Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014

The Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations came into effect on 6 August 2014. Broadly, the regulations give the public the right to film, record audio, take photographs, and use social media and the internet at meetings to report on any meetings that are open to the public.

Re: Cllrs who are obstruction the Scottish Governments Community Participation Scheme? 4 years, 11 months ago #8

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In a boost for local democracy and the independent free press, councils in England were brought into the 21st century today (6 August 2014) after Local Government Secretary, Eric Pickles, signed a Parliamentary order allowing press and public to film and digitally report from all public meetings of local government bodies. This ‘right to report’ updates a law passed by Margaret Thatcher as a backbench MP.

Following the passage of both primary and secondary legislation, the move opens councils’ digital doors, covering broadcasters, national press, local press, bloggers and hyper-local journalists and the wider public. The new law aims to end active resistance amongst some councils to greater openness. Councils have even called the police to arrest people who tried to report, tweet or film council meetings, or claimed spurious ‘health and safety’ or ‘reputational risks’ to digital reporting.

Re: Cllrs who are obstruction the Scottish Governments Community Participation Scheme? 4 years, 11 months ago #9

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"See the individuals asking fur the audio do they not understand the minutes, if not can we not get an officer to sit down and go through the minutes with them, jist to explain them."

In response to this the chair Antony Buchanan said "I don't know if that would be an appropriate use of officers time?"

To which Daniel Devlin replied "A good idea though"

Therein ended the matter.

Re: Cllrs who are obstruction the Scottish Governments Community Participation Scheme? 4 years, 11 months ago #10

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It may be relevant if we rewind to the start of the meeting.

The chair Anthony Buchanan said "We also have colleagues, a request to audio record, once again. Happy to open it up to colleagues. Do we wish to record.

Devlin "No".

Buchanan "I think it is becoming more of an issue"

"We are constantly getting this request"

Devlin "Oh yes"

Re: Cllrs who are obstruction the Scottish Governments Community Participation Scheme? 4 years, 11 months ago #11

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Once again, it would appear that this site requires to educate certain Cllrs.

The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 indicates that a member of the public who wishes to audio record a council meeting / committee meeting must submit the request in writing at least one day prior to the meeting.

The chair must indicate to the councillors present that there has been a request and ask if they agree to the recording.

Requests were made previously to record full council meeting, this was agreed at a number of consecutive meetings.

A request was sent requesting that this request be considered as standard for all council meetings, however the Democratic Services manager, Eamonn Daly stated that a request must me made at each individual meeting.

Re: Cllrs who are obstruction the Scottish Governments Community Participation Scheme? 4 years, 11 months ago #12

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Therefore committees have the same rules, a request must be made to each individual meeting.

Cabinet - Meeting one.

Chair Anthony Buchanan made the decision not to permit recording without putting it to the Cllrs present.

Cabinet - Meeting Two

Chair Paul O'Kane simply asked if the Cllrs were rubber stamping their previous decision. None of those present answered and O'Kane moved onto decline the request.

Cabinet - Meeting Three

It would appear that Antony Buchanan is concerned about repeated requests. However this is the fist occasion when he has indicated that the cabinet will refuse all requests until the end of this council.

Please Cllrs this is all in your own standing orders, we would expect that the chair of a committee and especially one who is also the council leader would be aware of these orders.

When in doubt there is a clerk to the committee always on hand should you be unsure.
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