Evening Revamp: Councillors Mull Committee Meeting Time Change

A councillor has secured backing from multiple parties for a proposal advocating a change in timing. Redcar and Cleveland Council committee meetings.

Councillor Curt Pugh stated that shifting certain council meetings from typical weekday work hours to a time of 6 pm or later in the evening could make attendance easier for those who have jobs, as well as for parents and other community members interested in participating.

Some independent councillors residing in the countryside of East Cleveland objected to the proposal, voicing worries over safety issues related to traveling during the darker winter evenings. However, various other organizations backed the idea, and a significant number of council members approved the measure with their votes.

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Conservative council member Pugh, who serves the area as a representative, Normanby Ward stated it was "a step in the correct direction" because the present scheduling might "pose an obstacle for involvement." He commented, "The aim of the motion was to attempt fostering greater engagement with local democracy."

Whether it involves helping more employed individuals run for the council or striving to boost public engagement, I'm glad this wasn't turned into a political matter and am delighted to have received backing from every section of the assembly.

Councillor Pugh mentioned that the various political factions within the council were informed about his proposal, which stated: 'Recommendation for approval that all committee meetings should be open to the public.' Redcar Cleveland Council are thinking about setting up their meeting times outside the usual workday from 9 am to 5 pm, opting for later sessions starting at 6 pm or after.

This implies that every council committee—which consists of multiple groups—will now be tasked with determining the meeting times during the day, keeping in consideration the recommendation. Additionally, the motion stated that the council’s monitoring officer along with staff members from democratic services ought to offer "all necessary logistical or legal guidance needed to support scheduling that is more inclusive."

Councillor Pugh informed the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the local authority should also "actively contemplate" broadcasting its meetings via livestream to enhance public engagement even more. Although several councils routinely adopt this practice, Redcar and Cleveland has yet to follow suit; their sole digital record of these gatherings consists of a YouTube upload featuring the monthly full council meeting posted some time after it occurs.

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