Public invited to comment on draft LPSC policy for audio recording of Council meetings - Liverpool Plains Shire Council (LPSC) is seeking comments from the public after it resolved that a policy on audio recording of meetings be developed for consideration by Councillors and the wider community. “While not a requirement of the Local Government Act and Regulation, audio recording of Council and Committee meetings is a common practice in NSW Councils. The main purpose of audio recording is to assist in the preparation of meeting minutes, it is not meant to be a detailed transcript of what is said at meetings,” said LPSC Mayor, Councillor Ian Lobsey OAM. “The draft policy sets out procedures for audio recording of Council and Committee meetings with regard to appropriate creation, storage, usage, access and disposal in accordance with legislative and policy requirements. Council must act in accordance with s.375 (1) of the Local Government Act and associated Regulations and keep accurate minutes of meetings which record attendance, details of each motion and any amendments, names of movers and seconders of motion or amendment, whether motion is passed or not, and decisions/resolutions of the meeting. Audio recording of meetings will provide back up to ensure these requirements can always be verified,” he said. Councillor Lobsey said the draft policy sets out definitions, process details, record keeping requirements and access to recordings by staff, Councillors and members of the public. He said the policy does not propose to record closed sessions of meetings. “Because the policy also affects community members attending meetings Council is advertising the policy seeking any comments before it is formally adopted”, he continued. “In order to comply with the relevant Acts, advice will be provided to the members of the public attending meetings that an audio recording of the meeting will be made. It should be noted that the official record of the meeting is not the audio recording but the meeting minutes which require confirmation by Council resolution and must be signed by the chairperson of the meeting. Interested community members can view the draft policy at Council’s Administration Centre,” Councillor Lobsey concluded.
Posted on: Sun, 04 May 2014 22:10:01 +0000
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