Issue - meetings

Webcasting Service

Meeting: 16/11/2016 - Democracy Committee (Item 41)

41 Report of the Head of Policy and Communications - Webcasting Service pdf icon PDF 72 KB

Minutes:

The Head of Policy and Communications presented the report updating Members on the installation of the new webcasting service provided by Public-i.

 

The committee was advised that:

 

·  A key feature requiring consideration was the ability to vote electronically at meetings using the conferencing functionality of the new microphone units.

 

·  The Maidstone Borough Council constitution stated that ‘Unless a recorded vote is demanded under Rule 21.4, the mayor will take the vote by a show of hands, or if there is no dissent, by the affirmation of the meeting’ (Part 3.1, 21.4) As such the constitution would need to be amended to include electronic voting. This would require the committee to refer the matter to Council.

 

Members raised the following points during discussion:

 

·  An all-Member demonstration of how electronic voting would work in practice was required to take place before the issue was considered at Council.

 

·  Social media was currently used as a tool for public engagement. The use of social within the procedures of the Council’s committees – such as to allow members of the public to use Twitter as a facility for asking questions of Councillors during a live meeting – would require amendments to be made to the constitution.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That the update on the installation of the webcasting service be noted.

 

2.  That it be recommended to Council that the use of the webcasting voting system to ensure transparency and accuracy at meetings be approved, and that the constitution be amended to reflect this decision.

 

3.  That a demonstration of the webcasting voting system for all Members be held prior to Council’s consideration of the voting system recommendation.

 

For – 9  Against – 0  Abstain – 0