'It is essential': Call for Cannock Chase Council meetings to be broadcast online
Cannock Chase Council is being urged to broadcast and record its public meetings so that residents who cannot attend in person can still view proceedings.
While many Staffordshire authorities livestream their meetings online and make the recordings available to watch afterwards, Cannock Chase Council does not currently offer the facility.
Remote viewing of the district council’s meetings was previously possible during the Covid pandemic, when local authorities had to hold remote sessions online to comply with social distancing rules. At that time observers were able to access meeting broadcasts via YouTube.
The practice has not been continued by Cannock Chase Council in recent years however, although members of the public are permitted to record proceedings and a number of recent meetings where the future of Cannock’s Prince of Wales Theatre has been discussed can be viewed via YouTube and social media.
In contrast, Staffordshire County Council offers a webcast library on its website, where meeting videos can be accessed several months later, while neighbouring Stafford Borough Council provides audio recordings online.
Councillor Paul Jones, who was re-elected onto Cannock Chase Council in a by-election in August, is now urging the authority to “enhance transparency through recording and broadcasting of public meetings”. He has put forward a motion to be considered at the next full council meeting on Wednesday, November 5.
Councillor Jones’ motion calls on the council to recognise “the importance of openness, transparency, and public engagement in local democracy”. It added: “In an era of digital accessibility, it is essential that residents of Cannock Chase can observe and participate in council proceedings, regardless of physical attendance.
“Therefore, this council resolves to implement the recording and broadcasting (including livestreaming) of all public meetings of the full council, cabinet and committees as soon as practicably possible.”
The motion also requests that the council’s chief executive brings forward a report to cabinet members within eight weeks, outlining technical and financial requirements for recording and livestreaming and options for archiving and publishing recordings on the council’s website. And the authority is asked to “ensure that archived recordings of public meetings shall be retained and made publicly accessible for a minimum of 12 months from the date of publication, unless otherwise required by law or council policy".
