Filming Recording photography at Council meetings 2024

Diamond Jubilee Lodge, Wood View Road, Hellesdon, Norwich, NR6 5QB
Tel: 01603 301751 www.hellesdon-pc.gov.uk email: contact@hellesdon-pc.gov.uk

Policy for filming, recording and photography at council
and committee meetings

General

(1) The Council supports the principle of transparency and encourages the filming,
recording, photographing of meetings open to the public. In order to balance the
wishes of those who want to record the meeting and those attending the following
principles will apply:

(a) At the start of the meeting the Chairman will ask those present whether they
wish to film, record or take photographs at a meeting.

(b) Any filming / recording / photography must take place from positions in the
meeting room agreed by the Council to ensure the view of members, officers,
public and media representatives is not obstructed. Those intending to bring
large equipment, or wishing to discuss any special requirements, are advised to
contact the Council Officers in advance of the meeting to seek advice and
guidance.

(c) There shall be no use of flash photography or additional lighting at any time.

(d) If any person present feels the filming / recording / photography is disrupting
the meeting in any way and indicates this to the Chairman then, subject to a
majority decision of the Council, the operator of the equipment will be required
to stop. Anyone undertaking filming / recording / photography must comply
with any requests made by the Chairman of the meeting.

(e) The person recording proceedings must agree to ensure the film / record /
photographs will not be edited in a way that could lead to misinterpretation of
the proceedings. This includes refraining from editing the views being expressed
in a way that may ridicule or show a lack of respect towards those being filmed /
recorded / photographed.

(f) The responsibility for how any film or recording or photography is used rests
with the person doing it, not the Council. Those filming proceedings should
make themselves aware of their responsibilities under current legislation,
particularly in the area of publication and seeking consent.
 (g) All the provisions within this Policy also refer to the use of mobile phones and
similar types of devices in meetings and any other equipment that could be used
for the purposes of filming, recording or taking photographs.
(h) Any appliance used for filming / recording /photographing to be powered at the
users own expense.

(2) The Council Officers will ensure signs are put in place before the meeting starts to
remind attendees that filming / recording / photography may take place. Meeting
agendas will also carry this message as will the Agenda page of the Council’s website.

During the meeting

(1) The Chairman shall announce at the commencement of the meeting that filming,
recording or the taking of photographs may be taking place. Anyone seated in the
public area or anyone attending the meeting to speak will have the opportunity to
express his or her wish not to be filmed / recorded / photographed and to be guided
to seating areas away from the area being filmed / recorded / photographed. If a
member of the public is attending to speak at the meeting and prefers not to be
filmed/ recorded/ photographed their wish will take precedence.

(2) If any person present feels the filming / recording / photography is disrupting the
meeting in any way and indicates this to the Chairman, or if the Chairman feels any
pre-meeting agreement has been breached then, subject to a majority decision of
the Council, the operator of the equipment will be required to stop.

(3) If someone refuses to stop recording when requested to do so, the Chairman will ask
the person to leave the meeting. If the person recording refuses to leave then the
Chairman may adjourn the meeting or make other appropriate arrangements for the
meeting to continue without disruption. These will be in line with disorderly conduct
procedures set out in Standing Orders.

Filming, Recording & Photography Policy
Last reviewed December 2024
To be reviewed 2025/2026 M1