Live streaming of meetings was generally agreed to be a positive step forward and was seen as an opportunity for South Down to be showcased literally across the county and across the world.
The proposal by Independent Councillor David Hyland seconded by Cllr Declan McAteer (SDLP) read: “At the end of the tenure of Newry and Mourne District Council, a very successful video streaming programme of Monthly Meetings was undertaken. This exercise provided Local Residents and Ratepayers with an opportunity to view important Council meetings where decisions were taken which had an impact on their families and neighbourhoods. We would recommend that such live recordings of Council Meetings continue in the foreseeable future in the new council.”
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The Mourne Room at the Downshire Civic Centre is almost ready for live streaming.[/caption]
Both Councillors agreed that the live streaming would help local residents and neighbourhoods to understand the work and decisions taken at Council meetings.
Cllr Gary Stokes (SDLP) said that residents in the Armagh area and generally in less accessible places would be able to view the council meetings and added: “If we are serious about transparency then we should move ahead with this. Our monthly full council meetings take place in Downpatrick which is a long way away from Armagh.”
Councillor Patrick Clarke (Independent) said that he previously brought a motion to Down District Council in 2013 recommending that meetings be screened live. He said that whilst all the new equipment and infrastructure was in place in the new state-of-the-art Council chamber, there was an estimated cost of between £15,000-20,000 per year for hosting this on the internet. Council at that point he said had decided against live streaming based on cost despite all of the parties generally agreeing with it in principle.
Cllr Stephen Burns (Sinn Féin) said: “We see this as a transparency issue. If the costings are the same, it would now be worthwhile.”
And Cllr Billy Walker (DUP) added that he also supported the motion adding: “With the cost of £70,000-100,000 for a new website, it may be possible to package this technical aspect into the tender. It will be a good influence on the Council. I believe councillors should be transparent and we will be able to see who the skivers are and who is not attending meetings.”
The general support for live streaming was also added to by Cllr David Taylor (DUP) who agreed that Council needed now to be open and transparent. We need to clarify the costs and ensure best value for money.”
Cllr Cadogan Enright (Independent) noted that it “might help to improve the manners of councillors”.
After a lengthy discussion, it was agreed that the council officers examine the cost aspects of live streaming and report back to the Council at a later date.
Previous related post:
http://www.downnews.co.uk/council-meetings-may-be-streamed-live
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