(A pdf version of this policy is available for download here)
The right to record, film and to broadcast meetings of the Council, Committees and Sub Committees was established following the Local Government Audit and Accountability Act 2014. This is in addition to the rights of the press and public to attend such meetings.
- The Council will make the Council chamber available to the public 15 minutes before and after meetings for the setting up and removal of any filming equipment.
- Members of the public are permitted to film or record meetings to which they are permitted access, in a non-disruptive manner and only from a specified area.
- Meetings or parts of meetings from which the press and public are excluded may not be filmed or recorded.
- The use of digital and social media recording tools, for example Twitter, blogging or audio recording will be allowed as long as it is carried out in a non-disruptive manner.
- Councillors who choose to use social media during Council meetings must refrain from disrupting other Councillors and Council debate.
- Councillors who choose to record, film or broadcast meetings including the use of social media are reminded of their responsibilities under the Council’s Code of Conduct including the confidentiality requirements.
- While those attending meetings are deemed to have consented to the filming, recording or broadcasting of meetings, those exercising the rights to film, record and broadcast must respect the rights of other people attending under the Data Protection Act 1998.
- The Chairman of the meeting, or any such Council representative as designated by the Chairman, has the authority to stop a meeting and take appropriate action if any person contravenes these principles or is deemed to be recording in a disruptive manner.
- Any person or organisation choosing to film, record or broadcast any meeting of the Council is responsible for any claims or other liability resulting from them so doing and by choosing to film, record or broadcast proceedings they accept that they are required to indemnify the Council, its members and officers in relation to any such claims or liabilities.
- The Council asks those recording proceedings not to edit the film or recording in a way that could lead to misinterpretation of the proceedings, or infringe the core values of the Council. This includes refraining from editing an image or views expressed in a way that may ridicule, or show lack of respect towards those being filmed or recorded.
- The Council will display the requirements as to filming, recording and broadcasting at its meeting venues and those undertaking these activities will be deemed to have accepted them whether they have read them or not.
- The Council will advertise that all meetings are held in public and could be filmed or recorded by broadcasters, the media or members of the public.
- The Council will publish the guidance on the filming, recording and broadcasting of meetings on its website.
This meeting has been advertised as a public meeting and as such could be filmed or recorded by broadcasters, the media or members of the public.
Please be aware that whilst every effort is taken to ensure that members of the public are not filmed, CTC cannot guarantee this, especially if you are speaking or taking an active role.