‘Virtual’ Council meetings proposed for Nelson

Nelson City Council Candidate Phil Thompson proposes ‘virtual’ council meetings, so the public can observe councillors’ decision-making processes in action.

The suggestion for web cam recordings of council meetings comes in response to regular pleas from the community asking for greater council transparency.

“The public, including almost all council candidates, are yelling the identical mantra of “greater transparency needed at council,” Thompson says. “I agree that the council should be more open, so I support fewer closed workshops and greater consultation.

“I also propose a tangible initiative for council to better serve the public and display a culture of openness,” he says. “We should recognise that people are busy or can’t travel to council every fortnight, and with technology nor should they.

“Stealing a successful idea from Taupo and installing a webcam in our council chambers will allow the youth, elderly, business people and those not based in central Nelson, such as North Nelson residents, access to the workings of council,” he says. “The idea is not outrageously different, but it could be extremely valuable to those who want to know more about those who govern us.

“It is possible to stream meetings live and record and store them in their entirety for on-demand viewing,” he says. “Currently, the Neale Park webcam sends an image of the park every five minutes of selected views of the Nelson skatepark,” he observes. “If we can police the youth, then surely we can do the same of the council chambers.

“If people don’t have internet access or broadband at home, then I am sure the local libraries would accommodate, or local groups like SeniorNet,” he says. “We may even see the birth of ‘electronic community halls’.

“There will be a set up cost, but if we are providing an element of openness that the city says it craves then I am sure people will see value in the service,” he concludes.

ENDS

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