Audio recordings of council meetings on the agenda for the City of Melville

THE City of Melville will consider making audio recordings of council meetings available to the public in 2019.

The council will consider introducing a revised council policy for audio recordings at the December 11 meeting, with the officer recommending approval.

The audio recordings would be free on the City’s website within 10 days of the meeting.

It is also recommended the council defer a report into video and or live-streaming council meetings until the Local Government Act reform amendment bill is finalised.

Councillors had a number of questions during a briefing session on November 27, including whether councillors who left the room after a declaration of interest would be able to access the recordings.

In the policy document, it states that councillors can request access to the recording from the chief executive.

The agenda item is being considered after councillor Tim Barling brought a motion to council in February 2018, recommending that a recording, either a web-stream or direct download, of public council meetings be provided on the City’s website.

At the time, he said allowing residents and ratepayers to access meeting recordings would enhance the transparency of the City and allow those unable to attend to be more involved and informed.

The council will also consider a new council policy for question time during 2019.

The policy will see questioners limited to two questions at a time, while questions with multiple parts considered as separate questions.

It was stated during the briefing session that if time allowed, people would be allowed to ask further questions.

Public time will be limited to a maximum of 30 minutes at each meeting, although five minute increments would be allowed if approved by the council.