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To Richard Samuel and the local government ombudsman sent 11.45 2/3/2009

Sorry to trouble you once again I am having some difficulties with our council here in Thanet.

I filed the complaint below using the council's online complaints form on 19th Febuary and haven't received any response, so I don't even know who is dealing with the issue.

I then discovered over the weekend that the council are clouding the issue by trying to confuse this with a request for live webcasting, something I didn't ask for, is very expensive and I feel would be most unwise in the current economic climate.

I am copying this to you and Richard Samuel in the hope it is possible to pre-empt a lot of time wasting and expensive preverification and raising it to the LGO, when I get what I expect will be an unsatisfactory response just at the end of the 10 working day period.

“This complaint is that TDC are both failing in transparency of government and failing to use facilities to enable transparency in government, which have already paid for by the taxpayer and installed. By this I mean the failure to webcast council meetings.

I brought this matter to Richard Samuels's attention back in October of last year and apart from vague promises to address the issue, there has been no actual discernable progress.

I also pointed out that Kent TV paid for by the taxpayer, hosts webcasts for nothing, and as the council meetings are already filmed and put onto dvd, the dvds could be sent to Kent TV by post for hosting at a negligible cost to the taxpayer.

I will forward this to the LGO with any comment you have made tomorrow.”

In a message dated 02/03/2009 15:28:58 GMT Standard Time, Richard.Samuel@thanet.gov.uk writes:

Thank you for your email. The council is examining these options contrary to your incorrect assertion to the LGO. When we have some costed and feasible options these will be put to members for their agreement.

By my maths you are not due a reply to your recent enquiry until 4th March this being the 10th working day from the 19th Feb.

You may be assured that we are examining these issues but we will not be pushed into the early release of inadequately thought through plans.

Subject:

Re: Complaint against Thanet District Council

Date:

02/03/2009 16:11:02 GMT Standard Time

From:

Michael Child


To:	Richard.Samuel@thanet.gov.uk

Hi Richard thank you for you prompt reply, with respect I did first raise this with you back I October and did give you plenty of warning I was upping the anti on this.

I suppose it is possible that the information I received over the weekend was wrong and if this is the case my humble apologies.

What with the Cliftonville trees article on the Gazette website I can see your week hasn't started well, we don't even have ECR to take the edge off it with mention of choppers and lumberjacks etc.

There could even be aspects of a more visual profile for our elected members that could cheer us up a bit in these benighted times.

I find it quite ironic in the view of Pleasurama and China Gateway that you would think i would condone ill thought out plans.

In a message dated 02/03/2009 17:18:20 GMT Standard Time, Richard.Samuel@thanet.gov.uk writes:

You did Michael and I think we're on the same wavelength. However at the end of the day it's up to the members to agree how they wish to see their meetings conducted. We'll give the choices and costs and go from there.

Subject:

Re: Complaint against Thanet District Council

Date:

02/03/2009 17:33:12 GMT Standard Time

From:

Michael Child


To:	Richard.Samuel@thanet.gov.uk

Richard I will remind the cost could be very low indeed and environmentally friendly the cheapest way is Doug could drop the cd off here as he cycles to Ramsgate every day and I could stick it on youtube.

I note the TDC flesh filter has removed the picture in the return email gaudaemus igitur, so I am sending you another.

You may also consider that there is a sense in which the electorate may wish to see how their representatives conduct their meetings.

Subject:

Thanet District Council - Feedback Response

Date:

03/03/2009 09:58:18 GMT Standard Time

From:

William.Neech@thanet.gov.uk


To:	michaelchild@aol.com

Sent from the Internet (Details)

Thank you for your recent communication which was received on

The Council is examining options for making meetings available as

webcasts. Once this research is complete proposals will be put to

We hope that this resolves the matter to your satisfaction.

If you are not happy with our response, you may write to us with your

reasons within the next ten working days, requesting a further review.

In order for us to respond as efficiently as possible, please ensure

that you quote the above reference number and address your communication

to Amanda Buckingham - Customer Feedback Co-ordinator, Customer Services