Councillor pushing for cameras at Council meetings again to "ensure maximum transparency"
Cameras could be set to roll again in Lagan Valley Island with a motion calling for transparency at the local authority HQ.
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) pulled the plug on live streaming of its committees in October 2022, citing running costs of £6,455 per year.
However, concerns over public trust in council decision making could bring the chamber back in to focus. Lisburn North independent rep, Gary Hynds spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) in advance of his motion this week.
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He said: "One of my main priorities since being elected, is the subject of transparency. And this month I am bringing a motion to full council to ensure maximum transparency for the ratepayers of Lisburn.
"Buildings like those behind me (Lagan Valley Island) and myself and officers and other councillors should be accountable to the public and must be open and transparent in all decisions that we are making. Keeping the public informed, that is key to trust in the democratic process.
"So, I am delighted to bring this motion and I really hope and trust all councillors will support it."
At this time only full council meetings of LCCC are streamed live online. Media and members of the public are frequently requested to leave council chambers as councillors vote to move a meeting into a confidential session.
The reasoning for closing the doors to the public is "due to containing information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the council holding that information)" being discussed.
Previous concerns over secrecy has seen officers request the LDRS and members of the public to remove their coats from LCCC chambers amid fears confidential matters could be recorded with a hidden device.
Cllr Hynds added: "I am requesting that officers investigate and cost options to allow full council and committee meetings to be live streamed as standard, with recordings then published online within an appropriate timeframe for the public to remain informed at the time of discussions and decisions.
"I also believe that councillors must have the ability to seek clarity and challenge council officers to ensure that exemptions (confidential sessions) are minimised and are not overused and that the overall public interest is maintained."
It is understood that the motion will be moved to the corporate committee for further debate.
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