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There was a surge of comment about Argyll and Bute Council’s decision not to ‘live-stream’ its meetings. We asked if council meetings should be broadcast.
Michael Andrew MacLeod affirmed: ‘Yes they should. Anything that increases accountability and demystifies the workings of a council can only be good. Would I watch it all the time? No, would I watch if there was an agenda item that was of interest to me? Yes.’ Stephen Fair said: ‘Highland Council has been publishing their headquarters meetings for a few years now. It’s a terrific facility for customers given their large geographic area. Argyll and Bute Council could readily adopt a similar set up, and reap similar benefits.’
Jill Bowis urged: ‘Having asked the First Minister when we had the Parliament here in Oban several years ago this exact question, and she told us all that there was funding for it, and it was something that all councils were being encouraged to do, and others already doing it. YES .. ABC are playing the Cost card falsely. There is already equipment, there is funding, and Even if they were not live, they could be recorded TODAY .. and uploaded with barely any cost.’
Michelle Mac wrote: ‘Everywhere else does it including Parliament, they are paid by the tax payer, answerable to us & a recent petition overwhelmingly supported live streaming . If they refuse they should be voted out or sacked for not complying with overwhelming public demand.’
Katharine Elwis agreed: ‘Yes. I’ve spent ages finding minutes from Council meetings to reveal the truth about who said what. It would be a lot easier if proceedings were televised and broadcast like other councils.’
John Beaton posted: Yes, of course. It’s not enough to only produce a minute nowadays, I want to see and hear the discussion behind council decisions and listen again if I want to.’
Laura Macdonald said: ‘Wouldn’t watch but don’t have a problem with it depending where the money would come from. Wouldn’t want money taken away from other things if only 3 people would actually be watching.’ Murdo MacKenzie wrote: ‘Yes. If they have nothing to hide they should have nothing to fear.’
Robert McCall offered: ‘Good enough for the Scottish Government.. Then why are our council so resistant to it ?’ Allan Strang Jnr posted: ‘Yeah. What’s to hide. Prove your electoral voters to have the faith or do we just go with the same rubbish every Council sitting...’ David Glencross asked: ‘Public servants or self serving unaccountable rogues?’
Christine Richards said: ‘Yes particularly planning meetings.’
Stuart Craine reasoned: ‘I think the benefits of broadcasting via a website to the public are obvious. It will open up the debates and allow everyone quick and easy access to the general discussions done on our behalf.’