Mass filming by residents and trade unions

Barnet UNISON along with Barnet Alliance are organising a protest at Full Council meeting on Tuesday 1 March.

Full Council will be voting through a budget proposal of £54 million of cuts.

In the past the Council has refused to allow council meetings to be filmed. Last week Eric Pickles, the Conservative Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government said:

“Many councils are internet-savvy and stream meetings online, but some don’t seem to have caught up with the times and are refusing to let bloggers or hyper-local news sites in. With local authorities in the process of setting next year’s budget this is more important than ever.

“Opening the door to new media costs nothing and will help improve public scrutiny. The greater powers and freedoms that we are giving local councils must be accompanied by stronger local accountability.

“We are in the digital age and [the] analogue interpretation of the press access rules is holding back a new wave of local scrutiny, accountability and armchair auditors.”

you can view whole statement here

On Tuesday 1 March residents and trade unions will taek part in a mass film making protest.

Come along and join us.