Contrary to what some members had hoped, the meetings of the Taufkirchen municipal council will not be broadcast on the Internet anytime soon. The committee has decided to replace the outdated microphone system in the meeting room, including the associated media technology – around 110,000 euros should be budgeted for this in the next budget. According to Mayor Ullrich Sander (non-party), however, the local council has postponed a decision on broadcasting via live stream and hybrid meetings in which the municipal councils can also participate online.
On the one hand, the technical and legal requirements are very high, says the town hall chief. On the other hand, only a fraction of the municipal council members have so far signed a declaration of consent, which is a prerequisite for a live broadcast of meetings.
A year ago, the committee approved a motion from the FDP and free voters by a majority, according to which the administration should examine the possibility of a live stream. In this way, community political work could be made more transparent, argued FDP councilor Maike Vatheuer-Seele at the time. She also pointed out that the transmission on the Internet also means that citizens who are unable to attend – for example older people, people with disabilities or parents of young children – can follow the meetings.
As a result of the decision, the town hall administration contacted several external service providers. In the talks it was shown that “modernization of the meeting room is essential for the use of streaming or hybrid functions”, as it was called in the meeting template. According to Sander, this would cost up to 180,000 euros. In addition, according to the town hall administration, two additional people would probably be required at meetings to oversee the livestream and the hybrid meeting.
Meanwhile, Maike Vatheuer-Seele is convinced that there are also simpler and cheaper solutions. She refers to other municipalities that offer a live stream of their municipal council meetings. This is what she would like to see in Taufkirchen, at least as a test – “to see how the citizens accept this offer,” says the FDP local politician. Regarding the arguments of the administration, which refers to the high expenditure, she says: “If you want, you will find ways. Those who do not want will find reasons.”