Open up the Town Hall

10.18.11pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 6th Sep 2009

Barnet Liberal Democarts are trying to open up the Town Hall

The Liberal Democrats are calling for all meetings of Barnet Council to be broadcast live on the internet. Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Cllr Jack Cohen, will put forward a motion at next Tuesday's Full Council Meeting calling on the Council to start videoing meetings.

Council rules currently forbid the recording of Council Meetings. Councillor Cohen says this need to change. "I cannot understand why the Council cannot move with the times and open up meetings to as wide a range of people as possible. Many of our residents are unable to attend meetings. On the other hand when there is considerable public interest and crowds turn up, there is not enough public seating and residents are often left out in the cold."

The proposals would not only provide live coverage but also allow footage of meetings to be viewed on websites such as "you tube".

Cllr Cohen believes that such a move will bring elected Councillors closer to the people they represent. Cllr Cohen added "I also believe that it will force Councillors to engage in much more constructive debates. If they know residents are watching there will be much less tribal politics."