Agenda item

Report attached.

1)         Live Streaming Council Meetings

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Josh Allen and seconded by Councillor Dominik Allen under Council Procedure Rule A9:-

“That this Council requests the Cabinet to investigate the feasibility of Live Streaming Council Meetings.

As we're all aware, during COVID the Council moved its meetings online via Teams.  Although this was a necessity at the time, the return to in person meetings now means residents don't have the ability to view Council meetings from their own homes.

As we move forward in an age of connectivity and instant access, I think it right that the Council now begin to move into the 21st century and follow what many other councils are already doing, by implementing live streamed meetings.

Not only will this mean residents get to view what goes on during these meetings, something which many did tune in for during COVID, but most importantly, it will bring transparency and help to build trust in what "goes on behind closed doors" at the Council.

We as a Council need to be more accessible and be seen to be working for the residents of this Borough.”

Councillor Josh Allen provided a brief introduction to the motion.  As an aside, he mentioned the threat to personal freedom posed by the recent US Supreme Court decision, which had removed the constitutional right for women to seek an abortion in the US.

In Hyndburn, livestreaming of Council meetings using MS Teams had been introduced temporarily during the pandemic, although this had proved a little difficult at first.  Live streaming was becoming more of a necessity now, as people wanted to see how the Council operated.  Other local public bodies such as Burnley Borough Council and Lancashire County Council, as well as Members of Parliament, already participated in live streaming of meetings.  Access via the internet was crucial for some individuals who were without transport, or who had other mobility issues.  Live streaming would ensure greater transparency and improve public confidence around decision-making.

Councillor Dominik Allen reiterated the need for live streaming, which presented a great opportunity for the Council.  Space in the public gallery was limited and the risks posed by COVID had not disappeared.  Hyndburn was a forward thinking authority and should embrace this opportunity.

Councillors Noordad Aziz, Bernard Dawson, Kate Walsh, Melissa Fisher and Paul Cox all spoke in favour of the motion and raised various issues, including the following:

• The improvements sought would better reflect the digital age;
• The recording of live streamed meetings could also be useful;
• Consideration would need to be given to what content should be included;
• Live streaming meetings could help to reduce journeys and traffic;
• Improved access could support those with learning difficulties or disabilities;
• Live streaming could help to showcase the Council’s planned investment programmes; and
• Live streaming should be one of the Council’s priorities.

The Leader summarised by stating that the Cabinet would be happy to accept the proposal and to look into the issues.  Given that the technology would have moved on considerably, since this was last looked at, now would be an appropriate time to reconsider live streaming.

Resolved                                    -    That this Council requests the Cabinet to investigate the feasibility of live streaming Council meetings.