Access to public meetings

[towy71]

I live in Wales and would like to know the law regarding access to Council public meetings, apart from when they are discussing personnel matters which obviously should be private

[FindLaw_Maya]

Hi towy71,

According to Directgov, "You can attend most meetings of the council, although usually you will not be able to speak at them.

Every council must publish a 'forward work plan' listing the decisions that will be taken over the coming months. They also publish meeting papers at least five working days in advance, and afterwards they publish the minutes of the meeting, summarising the decisions made.

Local authorities may exclude the public from meetings and withhold papers only in limited circumstances."

Thanks,
-FindLaw Moderation Team

[towy71]

I was hoping that there would be some law that mandated the council to allow people to attend public meetings without having to sign an undertaking not to film or record the meeting, which is what Carmarthenshire County Council is now doing. As far as I can see there is no mention of such rules under the constitution or standing orders and neither have councillors been asked about to enact such procedures.

[Onlylawsite]

I live in Wales and would like to know the law regarding access to Council public meetings, apart from when they are discussing personnel matters which obviously should be private

It would be advisable to contact your local council office to find out what their policy is.