LIB DEMS SUPPORT BROADCASTING OF COUNCIL MEETINGS

10.27.50am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 8th Sep 2006

Liberal Democrats on North Yorkshire County Council are supporting proposals for council meetings to be broadcast on a community internet radio station.

Councillor Bill Hoult (from Knaresborough) referred the issue to the Council's Communications Overview and Scrutiny Committee, after being approached by Radio Ryedale.

Staff from the radio station gave a presentation to the recent meeting of the committee, and asked to be able to broadcast a meeting as a trial. After this there was a vote to refer the matter to the Council's Executive to decide.

Cllr Hoult said:

"I am convinced that broadcasting council meetings is the way forward. It will give members of the public a chance to hear what goes on at Council, warts and all."

"If it is successful I hope the scheme could be extended to council committees, and maybe one day to full audio/visual webcasts. I hope that the other parties will support the initiative, and bring the Council into the media age."