Issue - items at meetings - Webcasting Protocol

(a)         Draft extract of the proceedings of the Standards Committee meeting held on 21 June 2011 (copy attached).

(b)         Report of the Monitoring Officer (copy attached).

RESOLVED –

(1)         That paragraph 4.5 of the Webcasting Protocol be amended to read as follows:

“The actual webcasts and archived material, and copyright therein, remain the property of the Council. A DVD copy of a webcast can be obtained for a fee of £75 from Democratic Services.”

(2)         That an additional paragraph be inserted in to the Webcasting Protocol that reads as follows:

“Members are reminded that the Code of Conduct for Members applies to the use of webcast material by Members of the Council.”

13.1         The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director, Resources concerning a proposed amendment to the council’s Webcasting Protocol following consideration by the Standards Committee.

13.2         The Head of Law explained that the recommendation before the Committee was to agree the amendment proposed by the Standards Committee.

13.3         In response to a question from Councillor Morgan, the Head of Law confirmed that a report dealing with a review of the Webcasting Protocol in its entirety would be brought to the Committee in the autumn and that it would include the potential for extending webcasting to other council meetings.

13.4         Councillor J Kitcat noted that the link on the public notice displayed at meetings was broken. He stated that he supported the recommendations of the Standards Committee and explained that a protocol would be retained, but that the unenforceable elements of paragraph 4.5 would be deleted. He advised that any misuse of webcasting images and video would be covered by the Code of Conduct for Members. He noted that the amendment was consistent with the council’s move towards implementing the Open Government Licence.

13.5         In response to concerns from Councillor G Theobald, the Head of Law confirmed that there was no mechanism by which the council could tackle Members who used the footage elsewhere and that, on balance, it was appropriate to reduce the restrictions. He added that the council would retain the copyright to the material and that, by agreeing the amendment, the council would move back into line with other local authorities.

13.6         Councillor A Norman stated that she had concerns, but recognised that technology had moved on since the protocol was drawn up and acknowledge that it was pointless to have a protocol that could not be enforced.

13.7Councillor G Theobald moved an amendment to the recommendations, which would ensure that all Members would be aware that the Code of Conduct would continue to apply to use of webcast material.

13.8Councillor Mitchell formally seconded the amendment.

13.9         The Chair put the amendment to the vote, which was passed.

13.10    RESOLVED –

(1)         That paragraph 4.5 of the Webcasting Protocol be amended to read as follows:

“The actual webcasts and archived material, and copyright therein, remain the property of the Council. A DVD copy of a webcast can be obtained for a fee of £75 from Democratic Services.”

(2)         That an additional paragraph be inserted in to the Webcasting Protocol that reads as follows:

“Members are reminded that the Code of Conduct for Members applies to the use of webcast material by Members of the Council.”