UKIP fails in bid to have town council meetings videoed
Wednesday, 29th January 2014.
Efforts by the two UKIP members of Haverhill Town Council to get permission for the filming of its meetings met with a brick wall at last night's council meeting.
All other councillors were strongly opposed to the idea, fearing that, as the filming was likely to be done by UKIP supporters, it would not be fair and impartial.
Town mayor Cllr Roger Andre (Lab) made an outspoken statement, saying: "The introduction of video streaming of meetings is open to abuse by those streaming and publishing the recorded material.
"Individuals with their own agenda may use the videos to produce unwarranted criticism through selective use of clips out of context.
"The current proposal comes from a group with a recent track record for abusing Councillors and residents, for preventing the expression of views they disagree with and using criticism of representatives to pursue a political agenda.
"On frequent occasions councillors, residents and Town Hall staff have requested removal of comments from their sites due to, variously, sexist remarks, libellous comments, misleading statements and potentially racist remarks.
"The Mayor has requested the removal of one comment which may have presented a child protection risk."
He said if the town council was minded to amend standing orders to permit video recording or streaming, there would need to be extensive constraints to ensure a fair representation of the proceedings.
There would also need to be safeguards to avoid discouraging proper contribution from all councillors.
Cllr Maureen Byrne (Lab) said she had been 'on the fence' about the issue for a long time until she saw some recent allegations against councillors which completely unsubstantiated.
"I have concerns about too much political allegation to discredit people sitting on the town council, and I'm sad and disappointed that I can't support filming meetings," she said.
Cllr Betty McLatchey, the Conservative group leader, said local messageboards had been full of schoolboyish content about the town council which did not show the town in a good light, and she opposed filming meetings.
Cllr David Roach (Con) said in principal it was a good idea but the town council would have to have complete control over it, or else it could be manipulated.
Clive Turner (Con) said filming meetings was a one-way medium, with the public not bering present. Video should be used to promote the good things the council did, like the Halloween Trail, the Fireworks Display and the Big Bash.
"If you want to see what's going on, come down to the meetings," he said. "Half the town shows up when it is something that really matters to them."
Cllr Pat Hanlon (Lab) said many people did not like being filmed and it could put people off standing for the council.
UKIP's Cllr Barry Robbins, who proposed the idea as being an extension of democracy and an up-to-date move which was being promoted by the current Government, said he thought members were being very short-sighted.
"Time moves on and it's the way forward," he said. The vote was 7-2 against amending the council's standing orders to allow filming and live-streaming of meetings.
All other councillors were strongly opposed to the idea, fearing that, as the filming was likely to be done by UKIP supporters, it would not be fair and impartial.
Town mayor Cllr Roger Andre (Lab) made an outspoken statement, saying: "The introduction of video streaming of meetings is open to abuse by those streaming and publishing the recorded material.
"Individuals with their own agenda may use the videos to produce unwarranted criticism through selective use of clips out of context.
"The current proposal comes from a group with a recent track record for abusing Councillors and residents, for preventing the expression of views they disagree with and using criticism of representatives to pursue a political agenda.
"On frequent occasions councillors, residents and Town Hall staff have requested removal of comments from their sites due to, variously, sexist remarks, libellous comments, misleading statements and potentially racist remarks.
"The Mayor has requested the removal of one comment which may have presented a child protection risk."
He said if the town council was minded to amend standing orders to permit video recording or streaming, there would need to be extensive constraints to ensure a fair representation of the proceedings.
There would also need to be safeguards to avoid discouraging proper contribution from all councillors.
Cllr Maureen Byrne (Lab) said she had been 'on the fence' about the issue for a long time until she saw some recent allegations against councillors which completely unsubstantiated.
"I have concerns about too much political allegation to discredit people sitting on the town council, and I'm sad and disappointed that I can't support filming meetings," she said.
Cllr Betty McLatchey, the Conservative group leader, said local messageboards had been full of schoolboyish content about the town council which did not show the town in a good light, and she opposed filming meetings.
Cllr David Roach (Con) said in principal it was a good idea but the town council would have to have complete control over it, or else it could be manipulated.
Clive Turner (Con) said filming meetings was a one-way medium, with the public not bering present. Video should be used to promote the good things the council did, like the Halloween Trail, the Fireworks Display and the Big Bash.
"If you want to see what's going on, come down to the meetings," he said. "Half the town shows up when it is something that really matters to them."
Cllr Pat Hanlon (Lab) said many people did not like being filmed and it could put people off standing for the council.
UKIP's Cllr Barry Robbins, who proposed the idea as being an extension of democracy and an up-to-date move which was being promoted by the current Government, said he thought members were being very short-sighted.
"Time moves on and it's the way forward," he said. The vote was 7-2 against amending the council's standing orders to allow filming and live-streaming of meetings.
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