There will be more transparency than ever before about Campbelltown Council decisions when live streaming of councillor briefings begins next month.
And while there were some objections to the proposal when it was put on public exhibition, the minister of local government has already given it his blessing.
“I commend council for taking active steps to promote transparency,’’ said Ron Hoenig in a letter to the Mayor of Campbelltown, George Greiss, who is also an enthusiastic supporter of the move to let the public know what’s really going on when decisions are made. (He is pictured above)
“No decision by a councillor should be made with the benefit of information provided to them by staff behind closed doors,’’ Minister Hoenig wrote.
“Private councillor briefings should only take place in very limited circumstances.
“Without public scrutiny of the information available to a councillor the public cannot understand the outcomes reached.
“Further, private briefings lead to the possibility for corruption to develop, and ICAC has warned to that effect,’’ he wrote.
Council says it is planning to introduce live streaming of councillor briefings in August, a week before the ordinary council meeting.
This would mean the first live streamed briefing will be on Tuesday, August 6.
Briefings will take place in the council chamber, which is equipped to record such meetings for the purposes of live streaming them to the public.
Council voted to support live streaming at its ordinary meeting last week, after noting there were two submissions opposed to the proposal.
“While I appreciate the council’s efforts to enhance transparency and accountability, I believe that the proposed changes could have unintended consequences that may undermine these very principles,’’ was one submission.
A second submission made the following points:
“I am highly opposed to the proposed changes that are being recommend. I believe that Campbelltown City Council is transparent enough, already live streaming full council meetings.
“This is a waste of money that should be going back into the community in ways that will benefit all members and improve Campbelltown.
“These proposed changes seem to be a time wasting stunt for Liberals so close to an election when they should again be focused on improving our great community.’’
