While attending yesterdays meeting of Scarborough Borough Council (SBC) other members of the public questioned my recording of the meeting as they were not doing so on account of the signs.

Sign On Door To Chamber

On the door to the chamber, a notice states “No unauthorised tape recording or photography”.

As tape recording and photography are authorised by legislation this sign must be removed as currently, it prevents the public from exercising their lawful right.

Notice Both Inside And Outside The Chamber

There are notices both inside and outside the chamber which make false claims.

• “Please note that Scarborough Borough Council permits filming and recording of meetings provided that such recording is carried out openly …” This is false as filming and recording can be carried out covertly.
• “Please note that the Council reserves the right to prohibit filming and recording or remove any person from its meetings where these rules are not complied with”. This is false as the council cannot prohibit filming or recording of a meeting to which the public can attend. In addition “these rules” breach legislation.

As such both notices must be removed.

I have registered a formal complaint which Lisa Dixon, SBC Director of Legal & Democratic Services for the displaying of unlawful notices and requested that they are removed at the earliest opportunity.