The public will now be permitted to film, photograph and use social media whilst attending Council and Committee meetings thanks to the enactment of the Local Audit and Accountability Bill which brings greater transparency to local government.
The most significant change for 2014, which comes in under the Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations, will be the use of tweeting, blogging or using Facebook to detail council decision-making as it happens, although oral reporting during proceedings is prohibited to prevent disruption.
In addition, the changes require local authorities to ensure that decisions made by officers under delegated powers are recorded and available for the public to view.
The Act and its provisions may be viewed by clicking here: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/2/section/40/enacted