Moderation......

Since posting the last blog, I've received 5 responses, two phone calls, two emails, and one 'anonymous' blog comment, and whoever you are, 'anonymous' it doesn't matter how many times you send me the same comment, I'm not publishing unless you tell me who you are! Mainly because your comments are inflammatory, and I don't want to add fuel where there is no fire. All the responses except one were positive, one being simply "go for it Nomad!" My blog was essentially tongue in cheek, all I did was express my surprise at finding that the question arising was 'permission' in a situation where we figured that permission was already an accepted part of the picture. But having said that, I'm happy to reply to all comments, if only to demonstrate how seriously individuals take things over a matter which is really not even a storm in a teacup:

1. Our digital recorder is no bigger than a notebook and we have no intentions of rigging up a microphones in Councillors faces. We've in fact been discussing this idea with several Councillors for some months. We didn't just walk in and start recording, we asked the council politely if they would provide us with the facilities to do it properly, we did that at the beginning of the meeting. We then recorded the meeting and though it was obvious I was recording, no one moved to either comment or prevent us.

2. Its obviously in everyones best interests if the microphones are placed as invisibly as possible, and that the recording process is discreet and unobtrusive. Its why we had hoped for a discussion on ways and means rather than 'permissions'.

3. The rules have changed and its not the internet, or the speed at which technology is evolving that changed the rules, but Freedom of Information.

4. Agreed, the Council is an Authority, and one which I have respect for, but if the Council is meeting in Public Session, the Council Chamber belongs to the public. If the council is meeting in private session, we would, just like the Press, be asked to leave.

5. The courtroom point is daft! Judges Rules don't apply here. The council chamber is not a courtroom and the council does not have the authority to hold us in contempt and send us down to the cells. Best the council could do is call a policeman and ask him to eject us for what? Sitting quietly in the corner and reporting?

6. I'm not 'uppity',or 'ranting', nor am I a 'cut above the rest' because I'm holding a microphone! If any thing, I'm making the point that our request was misrepresented and if we hadn't recorded it, we couldn't make this point now.

7. I'm not grateful, or ungrateful to the council for granting us what we already have!

8.And what if the council did reply to our 'ungratefulness' by withdrawing its 'permission'? All it would be withdrawing would be its willingness to co-operate in making everyone heard.

I'm not trying to cause trouble, and I'm not trying to make enemies. I'm very aware that most of the council want this innovation to progress. I'm only trying to clarify a point about our right to report a Public Meeting fairly and in full. The council welcome this, as do the residents of our town.

To be honest, the last place on my list of favourite events to record is council meetings. Meetings are often either deadly boring or only of interest to those who were present, so I'm at this point uncertain as to how much attention we'll give it. My own intention is to set the recorder rolling and head off to the Royal Lion until the meeting is over!