Plans for a £1 million information technology upgrade are set to revolutionise transparency within Bristol City Council, as more meetings are poised to be webcasted following the proposed overhaul. This move comes amidst previous criticism aimed at the council for its limited livestreaming of committees, prompting concerns about accessibility and public engagement.
Presently, only select gatherings such as full council sessions, cabinet meetings, planning committees, and a solitary scrutiny board are streamed online or made available for playback on the council’s YouTube channel. This selective approach has drawn ire from local political activists, who argue that it falls short of ensuring comprehensive transparency in governance. One resident, in an act of defiance, resorted to recording meetings using a personal video camera and tripod.
In contrast to Bristol’s approach, neighbouring authorities like South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset have adopted a more inclusive stance, regularly webcasting all public committees through external providers. Responding to mounting pressure for reform, Bristol City Council is poised to greenlight a substantial investment during Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, with plans to allocate £1 million for the IT upgrade, in addition to an annual running cost of £75,000.
A detailed report to be presented during the meeting outlines the scope of the proposed upgrade, which encompasses the installation of new equipment in various locations including City Hall’s council chamber, meeting rooms, and the incident management suite at the council’s offices in Temple Street. Highlighting the need for enhanced technological infrastructure to accommodate the evolving nature of work, the report stresses the importance of facilitating efficient and effective hybrid working arrangements, particularly in light of increased remote work and reduced physical office space.
Moreover, the upgrade is anticipated to improve accessibility for disabled staff and contribute to environmental sustainability objectives by reducing carbon emissions associated with commuting to meetings. At the core of the project lies the ambition to democratise access to council proceedings, with the aim of fostering greater public participation in decision-making processes.
Central to this endeavour is the implementation of an automated webcasting and hybrid meeting solution, bolstered by advancements in audio-visual technology. This system seeks to enable both physical attendees and remote participants, including members of the public and external stakeholders, to engage in democratic council meetings seamlessly. Importantly, it will also feature automated speech-to-text transcription capabilities, enhancing accessibility and inclusivity in the recording of proceedings.
The imminent shift in governance structure, ratified by residents in a citywide referendum two years ago, marks the transition from a directly elected mayoral model to a committee-based decision-making framework. With this change slated to take effect following May’s local elections, the significance of ensuring robust mechanisms for public engagement and transparency cannot be overstated.
In summary, Bristol City Council’s commitment to investing in state-of-the-art IT infrastructure underscores its dedication to fostering a culture of transparency and inclusivity in local governance. As the landscape of public administration continues to evolve, initiatives such as these serve as pivotal steps towards empowering citizens and strengthening democratic principles at the grassroots level.
