Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Corporate Services Committee tonight agreed a new approach to further strengthen openness and public accessibility by expanding access to all Committee meetings through recorded video content.
Following a request in February 2025 for greater and quicker access to meeting recordings, the Council has been actively exploring ways to improve public engagement and visibility of its decision-making processes. The newly approved approach will see video recordings of Committee meetings made available online within 1–3 working days.
This initiative builds on existing arrangements, where Full Council meetings are already livestreamed, by broadening access to the work of Committees responsible for key decisions affecting local communities. It ensures that residents, businesses, and stakeholders can view proceedings at a time convenient to them, making participation in local democracy more inclusive and accessible.
Importantly, by utilising existing infrastructure and resources, the Council can implement improvements without introducing new financial pressures to the rate payers. The proposal represents a practical and sustainable solution that aligns with current budget constraints while still delivering on the principles outlined in the original request of Council, proposed by Councillor Gary Hynds.
Alderman Porter, Chair of the Corporate Services Committee said: “This is a significant step forward in ensuring our residents can easily access and understand the decisions that affect their lives. By making Committee recordings available online, we are strengthening transparency, improving accountability, and making local government more accessible for everyone.”
Councillor Gary Hynds said: “I welcome this positive progress in delivering on the principles of my Transparency Notice of Motion. Making Committee meeting recordings available online is a practical step that will help open up the Council’s decision-making process, giving residents greater insight into how decisions are discussed and reached. It is important that we continue to remove barriers to engagement and build public confidence through greater openness and accessibility.”
The new arrangements, which are subject to Council ratification, are expected to be introduced following the summer recess, with minor updates to standing orders and protocols required to facilitate publication of recorded content.