The Bristol City Council (November 4) meeting to decide the stadium application received the most viewers in the history of UK council webcasting. 5,624 people witnessed the debate live and online. Not only would this crowd fill 25 council chambers. It would also leave very few seats at Bristol City’s famous Dolman stand. View the webcast
Bristol Council's live webcasting equipment
Web viewers joined over 200 people who attended the meeting at the Council House to witness two hours of public statements, and a further two and a half hours of presentation and debate. They were first with the news that a multi-million pound stadium has the go-ahead.
The webcast was available to a wide audience outside the chamber. Not only was it broadcast on the council’s own site. It was also streamed through news sites across Bristol, including the Evening Post’s Cover It Live site where viewers had the opportunity to post comments on the debate.
The stadium features a 30,000-seater stadium, incorporating conferencing and hospitality facilities, new retail and community opportunities, outline consent for a hotel and associated food and drink outlets, houses and flats, a wildlife area and flood risk measures and the creation of new jobs.
Council Leader Barbara Janke said: “Our webcasting system has opened the doors of the council chamber to every citizen. Of the 5,000 viewers some of these would be keen followers of football engaging with the council for the first time for the love of their club. Others would be campaigners keen to see that the council had ensured the club heard their concerns about environmental and neighbourhood issues.
“They heard the many and varied views of public representatives, club officials, campaigners and councillors as the plans were explained in detail. And they heard the committee balance the evidence and make their decision.
“Councils across the country have been looking to our lead on webcasting to test its effect in opening up democracy to new audiences. Yesterday a significant audience across Bristol witnessed the decision to take a great step towards a new multi-million pound stadium. So I think we can demonstrate that it works.”
