PRESS RELEASE
Issued by:
Councillor Chris Teggin
Date of Issue: 14 February 2006
Contact: 0151 653 9581

‘COMING TO YOU LIVE’
WEBCASTS A STEP NEARER

Webcasts of Planning meetings came one step nearer last night when Wirral Council gave unanimous support to Liberal Democrat proposals to open up the Planning system to the public.

As well as looking at better consultation about planning proposals, Council officers will also now consider the use of Webcast technology as a pilot for wider use to give public access to council meetings.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Teggin , who moved the proposals said,

“We need to provide better facilities for those coming to Planning Committees. Some applications provoke great interest and the number of people outstrips capacity. There are good facilities in the committee room itself, but extending those facilities could allow those in another room to see and hear what's going on.

“Without too much of a technological leap we could develop this to the web and reach an even wider audience.

“If it's successful this facility could then be extended to any public meeting.

“We also need to find out what local people and groups want for the future; get them involved early for good relationships and positive contributions; advertise proposals where they will be seen; and above all avoid surprises! Such as the tenant whose landlord hadn't mentioned the application and who learned of it from a leaflet canvassing his neighbours' opinions.

“There are lots of people with ideas if we can capture them - and a good idea doesn't mind who thinks of it.”

Read Councillor Teggin's speech here