Council meetings hit the small screen
CITIZEN journalism has made it into the council chamber. New rules have been brought in to make councilsmore transparent and accountable to their local communities – which in- cludes allowing meetings to be filmed, tweeted and blogged. Communities secretary Eric Pickles has introduced the new national rules – along with a briefing booklet – which allows members of the public to now film meet- ings of local authorities and their commit- tees.
Discreet filming which does not disrupt proceedings is to be encouraged, according to Mr Pickles, who said: “We recommend that those wanting to film liaise with coun-
Homes on green A DISUSED commercial site could be replaced by a pair of three-bedroom semi-detached houses on the village green in Boughton Monchelsea. The planning application for Wheelwrights involves demol- ishing a vacant workshop and offices. Maidstone Council will determine the application.
‘Rotting’ trees to go MAIDSTONE Council has granted conservation area con- sent to Geoffrey Martin to re- move two silver birch trees in Boughton Monchelsea.
His application regarding the trees at the front garden of 21 The Quarries said the trees were rotting.
cil staff before the start of the meeting and, as a courtesy, attendees should be informed at the start of the meeting that it is being filmed.” A Maidstone Council spokesman said: “Maidstone Council webcasts all meetings so our debates and meetings are available for all to view. The ability to tweet, blog and film meetings is simply an extension of what we do anyway and is to be wel- comed.”
Although Mr Pickles said councils could reasonably ask for filming to be undertaken in such a way that is not disruptive or dis- tracting to members and officers, there was nothing to prohibit filming of meetings. He added: “Council meetings are public
THEHighSheriff ofKent, LordAlas- tair Colgrain, visited Dandelion Time, the children’s charity based inWest Farleigh. He and his wife joined visitors
from the Kent Community Founda- tion,whowere able toviewandpar- ticipate in activities that Dandelion Timeusesas therapeutic tools in its work with vulnerable children and families. Lord Colgrain said he could see families valued the service and he would like to see families from every part of the county having ac- cess to this support. The visitorsmet former benefici-
aries of Dandelion Timeandshared a lunch of stuffed marrows and
meetings. Elected representatives and council officers acting in the public sphere should expect to be held to account for their comments and votes in such meet- ings.
“The rules require councils to provide reasonable facilities for any member of the public to report on meetings. Councils should thus allow the filming of council- lors and officers at meetings that are open to the public.” The new rules also facilitate social media reporting of meetings – which means blog- gers, tweeters, Facebook and YouTube users, and individualswith their ownweb- site, should be allowed to report meetings.
High sheriff praises children’s charity
raspberrymuffins preparedby fam- ilieswith ingredients sourced from the gardens and farm. Dr Caroline Jessel, chair of
trustees and one of the founding trustees of Dandelion Timesaid: “It isanhonour tohaveanopportunity to showcase our work in the 10th anniversary year of Dandelion Time. “Over the years we have worked
with hundreds of children and fam- ilies delivering a unique service whichhelps torebuild familybonds and addresses some of the most challenging difficulties some fami- lies face.” Dandelion Time is a farm-based project for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Lgo at Dandelion Time with Dr Caroline Jessel
MGGS Sixth F orm Open Evening
Thursda y, 14th November 5.30pm8.30p Come and fi
find out wh Open 16 + Morning 2013
16+ Open Morning
www.invicta.kent.sch.uk
Tel: 01622 755856 Fax: 01622 678584 E-mail:
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T alk to stude nts, teache rs and the S ixth Fo rm Team abo ut the exciti ng
curricu lum and enthusiastic welcome that fe awai ts
stude nts atMGGS. We welcome application s from both male an d female students.
For furth er information abou t our Sixth Form please visit our website.
are catered for Of
Ofsted
You can e-mail the Downs Mail —
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njoyable and successful place to study. Ofs Sixth For m to be outstandi ng in every category.
0pm
what ma kes our S ixth Fo rm su ch a dynamic, fu
fsted has judged ou r ry
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