Ratepayers Deserve Access To All Council Decisions - Long

The Alliance Party has secured the audio recordings of all Belfast City Council Committee meetings.

Led by Alliance Group Leader, Councillor Michael Long, the decision was confirmed at June's full Council meeting, following the issue initially passing at committee level.

Describing the move as "essential", Mr Long said local ratepayers deserved to have access to all Council decisions.

He said: "Alliance will continue to stand up for openness and transparency and will fight for ratepayers to have access to all decisions affecting them.

"It was with this aim that Alliance secured an amendment as part of local government reform that ensured all full Council meetings are recorded and available on the Council's website – but this did not include committee meetings.

"As Councillors everything we do affects the ratepayers and it is only fair they have access to any decisions taken – especially with the new Councils having acquired a number of new powers, including planning. There is no reason why Belfast City Council shouldn't audio record every committee meeting."

(CD/JP)