Live webcast of annual council meeting

Live online coverage of Wolverhampton’s Annual Council Meeting and Mayor Making ceremony will return to the authority’s website next Wednesday, 14 May, at 6pm.

The webcast at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/webcast will feature video and audio coverage of the scenes in a packed Wulfrun Hall as outgoing Mayor, Councillor Trudy Bowen, relinquishes the civic insignia to the incoming ‘first citizen’ and current deputy mayor, Councillor Christine Mills.  

Councillor Christine Mills said: “The webcast will open up this ceremony to thousands of people who would not normally get to see what goes on behind closed doors.

“Technology like the internet means that our city can promote itself locally, nationally and internationally which is becoming increasingly important.

“I hope as many people as possible will watch the webcast and see how this important part of civic life works.

“During my time as mayor a key theme for me will be "pride in our city and pride in our citizens' talents”, she added.

The new Mayor’s chosen charities for her year in office will be PDSA, Wolverhampton County Air Ambulance and Ward D20 Medicine and Emergency Services, Respiratory Ward, the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust.

It will be the third time that people other than invited guests will be able to watch the full Annual Council Meeting online – the ceremony also sees councillor appointments to the cabinet and committees being made.

Each year the event in the Wulfrun Hall is attended by councillors, senior officers and guests representing a wide range of city businesses and organisations, both public and private sector, including voluntary and community groups.

Viewers will be asked to send in their comments on the quality of the broadcast as the event goes out in real time.

An archived version of the broadcast will available from www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/webcast the following day.

The webcasts of the Annual Council Meeting and Mayor Making ceremony have proved very popular in previous years attracting over 500 viewers on the night with over 3,000 downloads of the video in the following weeks.

The webcasting initiative forms one part of a continued drive to improve access to services through better use of technology.

Wolverhampton City Council currently offers easier access to a wider range of information and services on www.wolverhampton.gov.uk including council decisions, planning applications and online payments.

Issued by the press office.