Hear, hear! Council goes live on the internet

Residents who want to hear what their councillors are saying can now tune in to the debates online.

Next Wednesday’s (12 Dec) meeting of Bury Council will be the first to be streamed live on the internet.

The job will be done by local company Digital Tree, based in Ramsbottom, who were responsible for the live web streaming of Glaston-Bury and the Olympic Torch Relay earlier this year.

It allows people to tune in at any time during the meeting, or days afterward if that time is not convenient. It will also boast a facility that allows viewers who tune in live to go back and look at what was debated earlier in the night.

This is a pilot project, and it will be reviewed in the New Year to judge its success and whether it should be continued and even cover other committee meetings.

Councillor Mike Connolly, leader of the council, said: “We’re living in the digital age, and many people now expect to follow the workings of the council via their PC, smart phone or laptop rather than coming along to meetings in person. Councillors recently voted to allow Tweeting in meetings, and then we voted to try live video streaming, so we’re certainly moving with the times. I hope many people in Bury will tune in, either on the night or afterwards, and see local democracy in action.”

To follow the council meeting online, go to www.bury.gov.uk

NB: The council meeting is on Wednesday 12 December atBuryTown Hall, starting at 7pm. Anyone who attends the meeting is asked to be aware that filming is taking place and that they may appear on the footage.

ENDS

Press release issued: 4 December 2012.