tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791817892794754996.post4338524630780018060..comments2023-11-18T08:59:54.598+00:00Comments on Carmarthenshire Planning Problems and more: Autumn termcaebrwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233902574832152764noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791817892794754996.post-935845899714132952013-09-05T23:32:10.767+01:002013-09-05T23:32:10.767+01:00Yes, I agree with you about the issue of filming, ...Yes, I agree with you about the issue of filming, there is no legislation in England or Wales which prohibits it.<br />With regards to the rest of your comment, I'm sure you can understand that I am unable to comment at the moment.caebrwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17233902574832152764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791817892794754996.post-41425033956831229932013-09-05T22:38:23.342+01:002013-09-05T22:38:23.342+01:00Thanks for that reply caebrywn. Looking into the m...Thanks for that reply caebrywn. Looking into the matter over filming, my own view is that Councils can't ban it, because they have a legal duty to make decisions compatible with people's convention rights under the Human Rights Act, specifically article 10 freedom of expression.<br /><br />As they don't have an explicit power in law to ban filming and none of the reasons in 10(2) apply to, my view is it's unlawful. However you have to be brave to take on a taxpayer funded organisation in the courts.<br /><br />The first body I ever sued was my local transport authority. The judge agreed that I had been unfairly treated because of a disability but let them claim the defence of "a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim".<br /><br />The last body I sued was a local councillor on behalf of a political party and another branch of the same political party over a data protection act breach. Won the case, got a court order and tied up the councillor in a court room for two hours during an election.... however I've learnt that lawsuits should only be a last resort, are very slow and it's far better to try alternative methods if possible. I was sorry to hear about your libel case outcome and don't feel it fair that he should circumvent the rules by using public funds to win a counter claim. Do you have a date set yet for your appeal?John Bracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15068175156565343146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791817892794754996.post-5789786133217115652013-09-05T13:10:06.263+01:002013-09-05T13:10:06.263+01:00Thank you Sian. That would be a delightful and wel...Thank you Sian. That would be a delightful and welcome consequence of such an arrangement!caebrwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17233902574832152764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791817892794754996.post-73488559630510050622013-09-05T13:03:42.918+01:002013-09-05T13:03:42.918+01:00Looking forward to the Rainbow Coalition. As Peopl...Looking forward to the Rainbow Coalition. As People First promise never to join coalitions, I could end up as official Leader of the Opposition!<br />Sian Caiach Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791817892794754996.post-24124561835252309592013-09-05T12:07:46.280+01:002013-09-05T12:07:46.280+01:00Thanks John. The Welsh Government will only go so ...Thanks John. The Welsh Government will only go so far as to 'encourage' councils to allow public filming which is clearly not enough. I have no idea when or if Mr Pickles will introduce legislation (in England), it will probably take a few more ridiculous situations when the public are thrown out/arrested etc for having the temerity to try and record their local council meetings.<br />And I agree, Planning Committee meetings should definitely be filmed.<br />As for the inspection of accounts, several of us did just that last year but the way in which the material was presented to us was not exactly, how can I put it, 'user friendly'.<br />If the council actually published its spending details online it might be a start. Only one or two Welsh councils do this. <br />I have a long running saga with a FOI request concerning the Council and the church which is now back with the ICO.caebrwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17233902574832152764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-791817892794754996.post-85363605270179194072013-09-05T11:49:37.920+01:002013-09-05T11:49:37.920+01:00An interesting blog post. I realise the Welsh situ...An interesting blog post. I realise the Welsh situation is different, but the same reason (cost) was given at my local Council when they considered the issue of webcasting last year. I think then the cost quoted was £16k/year, although it's probably less now as they've reduced the number of committees. <br /><br />On a positive point though, after another press release from Eric Pickles (and the resultant bad press) I am now able to film Planning Committee meetings. This is an area the public are very interested in. When there was a ban on filming of the Planning Committee I just typed up a transcript of what was said in the first hour on my blog. I think the politicians prefer filming to a verbatim transcript though! <br /><br />On the contracts side of things, each year electors and members of the public can view and get copies of contracts, invoices etc as part of the audit of the previous year. This might be a way for you next year to get access to the financial relationship between the council, the church and Mercy Ministries that would otherwise be exempt under FOI. That legislation does apply to Wales too, see s.15 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/18/section/15 and s.16 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/18/section/16 of the Audit Commission Act 1998.<br /><br />If the grant situation is as bad as that report states you might find out some interesting things! Also any idea roughly when Pickles is going to introduce legislation about filming? John Bracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15068175156565343146noreply@blogger.com