Virtual Meeting Tech Investment for Nottinghamshire County Council

Nottinghamshire County Council to invest £335K on meeting technology.

15:47 29 January 2022

Nottinghamshire County Council is taking steps to improve the quality of broadcasts of its meetings from the council chamber. Members have confirmed that the local authority will spend £335,000 on virtual meeting technology to allow residents to better follow key decisions. 

 

The investment will see the installation of large, mounted wall displays to allow officers to attend meetings virtually as well as tracking cameras that would be used to focus on councillors when they speak. 

 

The local council has previously approved live -tream technology prior to the pandemic. The equipment has been malfunctioning, making it 'difficult for viewers to follow'. 

 

A report published ahead of the meeting states: “Prior to the pandemic and throughout, Nottinghamshire County Council was only able to introduce a temporary solution in both the council chamber and the Rufford Suite.

 

“These solutions were never intended for long-term use and they present significant challenges to both physical and virtual attendees of the meetingsand compromise their quality.

 

“The current technology challenges means that when meetings are live-streamed it is difficult for viewers to follow and identify who is speaking.

 

“The video and sound feeds are not of sufficient resolution and quality to be fit for purpose.

 

“High-profile meetings have been disrupted due to equipment malfunctioning, and the need for replacement kit and equipment to be found at short notice.

 

“This will continue to be the case until a permanent solution that is fit for its intended purpose can be procured.”