Volunteer Centre Southwark – Clive Pankhurst, Chief Executive
Minutes:
SE1 Forum – James Hatts
James submitted written evidence, which was circulated. He then made a few follow up comments. Firstly he noted that the system the Council uses to generate minutes and agendas for Committee meetings can be set up to give members of the public alerts when something new is published. However the system does not work, although it has the ability to. James requested this was fixed. James also requested that people be let into the gallery ten minutes earlier and that sufficient papers be provided. He also asked that the papers circulated in the gallery be available on the website, as presently there can be a delay of several days before these are published.
Southwark TV – Chris Hayden
Since 2004 Southwark TV has been supported by the Community TV Trust.
Southwark TV specialises in media production and training.
In the early days, pensioners made an outstanding contribution. 2 years later for the local elections the SE5 Forum put in 11 short videos (one for each candidate, apart from 1 who was unavailable).
Chris Hayden urged the Commission to consider the use of media / multimedia. There is an opportunity to reach many people, and inspire them to be active, through medium scale technology, and also through the use of
Twitter and audio podcasts.
Max Holloway commented that a very important point was made at the conference, that technology can alienate some people. Physical contact is needed as well.
Cllr Al-Samerai pointed out that Council Assembly meetings in Islington and Camden are webcast. Chris Hayden responded that it is possible to film Council Assembly and show it on the Southwark TV website, but it would need funding. It could also be broadcast on the radio station.
Michael Cleere pointed out the radio is a useful medium because there are many people who have no internet access but most people have a radio.
Cllr Al-Samerai said it was important to get information out to groups – then they can decide how to broadcast it. The council needs the audio and video infrastructure. Also there needs to be the right culture to encourage it, and also provision within the council constitution to be able to make use of recorded material – as the London Assembly does at City Hall, where there are cameras permanently fixed in the chamber, and material is made available to radio and TV stations.
Chris Hayden pointed out that filming an open meeting is hard, because whoever is filming doesn’t know who is going to speak next. Audio would be better; or having a each political group give a ‘digested’ version of the meeting on camera afterwards.
Ari Henry pointed out that councillors already have microphones in front of them in Assembly meetings. He added that anyone can publish on the Peoples’ Republic of Southwark website, and that two officers from the Burgess Park Revitalisation Project regularly put information on there. Twitter is useful – as long as it doesn’t spot the person who is twittering from actually listening to the meeting.
Cllr Soanes pointed out that material needs to be safeguarded from misuse and being taken out of context. James? Responded that this is a risk that has to be absorbed.
Ari Henry pointed out that basic training is needed for many local people in using technology. He added that a signing person at each meeting, and also ‘speaking’ webpages would help people with disabilities. He said that he receives email bulletins from Southwark Council that have large headings but very little content – and it’s not possible to unsubscribe from them.
The Conservative group submitted evidence and this was circulated.