The Council responds to issues raised around the recording of Council meetings and minutes
- Categories : Press Release
- 04 Apr 2025
- An administrative error after the 5 March 2025 Full Council Meeting led to the wrong video being uploaded. It was corrected promptly with the full recording made available on 10 March 2025. (Available here: https://democracy.merthyr.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx... )
- The 12 March 2025 Planning, Regulatory and Licensing Committee Planning Committee meeting wasn’t recorded due to a network issue. However, written minutes are available and this meets legal requirements.
- The Council has reviewed these incidents, is taking steps to prevent future issues and apologises for any inconvenience caused.
For further details, please see the full statement below:
An issue was raised in the full Council Meeting of 2 April about the provision of the broadcasts of meetings and recorded minutes.
Following the previous Council Meeting of 5 March, part of the recorded footage was removed, and uploaded onto the Council’s website on 7 March. Whilst it is accepted that an error in judgement led to the wrong recording being uploaded in the first instance, this was not malevolent or purposeful, and as soon as the error was identified, it was rectified immediately with the proper and full recording being made available to the public on the website on 10 March.
A thorough review of the incident has been undertaken, and arrangements are being put in place to ensure that this cannot happen again. It is important to note that the law states that the validity of any proceedings of the Full Council is not affected by the availability or otherwise of a broadcast (whether as the proceedings take place or afterwards).
A further issue was raised about the Planning, Regulatory and Licensing Committee on 12 March and it was suggested that the lack of a broadcast being available alongside the minutes was in contravention of Section 4 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021. However, the mandating of electronic broadcasting of meetings applies to proceedings at Principal council, the Executive of a principal council or any (joint) sub committees of these and does not relate to Planning committees.
The meeting in question was very well attended by residents within the Council Chamber and the reception area where a screen had been provided so they could view committee proceedings. In addition, several individuals joined the meeting online. Unfortunately, a network error affected the ability to record the meeting, so whilst the written minutes are available which is compliant with the legislation, a recording was not available following the meeting.
The Council apologises for any inconvenience that this matter has caused.