PRESS RELEASE
Issued by:
Councillor Gill Gardiner
Date of Issue: Nov 3rd 2006
Contact number:
0151 625 2738

COMING TO YOU LIVE – WIRRAL'S PLANNING COMMITTEE

Wirral Council has given the go-ahead to Webcam broadcasting of Wirral's Planning Committee.

This bold initiative, proposed back in February by Liberal Democrat Councillors, was agreed at last night's meeting of Wirral Council's Executive Board.

Liberal Democrat Planning spokesperson Councillor Gill Gardiner said,

“The Council has agreed a 12-month trial of webcasting of Planning Committee.

“This a huge step forward in making Wirral Council more accessible and accountable to the general public. For those who are unable to watch proceedings live an archive of up to 120 hours of recorded meetings will be available that can be viewed at any time.

“I hope we'll be able to extend the scheme to cover any public Council meetings and also take it into our communities to improve the quality of our public consultation on important issues.”

“Other Councils have extended the system to include presentations on topical issues, or to enable the Chief Executive to address staff via the Council's intranet. It can be further extended into promoting tourism and public consultation using portable equipment.

Webcasting - the broadcast of video and audio over the Internet - will give local residents who can't attend meetings an opportunity to play a part in the local democratic process, and get involved in the decisions affecting their lives.

“Webcasting will also improve facilities for those who attend Planning Committees. Although there are good facilities in the committee room itself, some applications generate so much interest that an overflow room is often required. Webcam technology will allow those in another room to see and hear what's going on.”

Click here for the Executive Board report (PDF file)