Sir, – In the report of the Skeeby Parish Council meeting (D&S, Aug 15), I was interested by the reference to the National Association of Local Councils advising councillors not to speak to journalists without their council’s permission.

Not knowing much about this organisation, I have looked at its website which states: “We are committed to developing the role of town and parish councils, in order that they can represent the communities which they serve effectively and be at the forefront of community leadership”. Gagging councillors seems to be somewhat contradictory to this statement.

The government is trying to make local government more transparent, and your readers may be interested to know, that on August 6, the “Openness of Local Government Regulations” came into force. (A “plain english” copy of the law can be downloaded from the gov.uk website). This gives any member of the public, without prior consultation, and by any means (video, audio, photography, social media etc.), the right to record council and parish council meetings that are open to the public, as long as the recording process is not disruptive to the meeting.

It also states that notice of parish council meetings must be posted in a “central conspicuous place,” at least seven clear days before the meeting takes place, and the agenda posted at least three clear days before the meeting takes place.

It has me now thinking that I should be trawling the internet for a decent video camera, and opening a “skeebygov” Twitter account. I will also be checking the village notice board in September to see if the parish council is complying with this new law.

But on a more serious note, it may at long last help stop the “claim and counter-claim” as to what is said at council meetings, a subject that has so often been bitterly reflected in letters to this paper in recent years.

VINCE ADAMS

Skeeby, Richmond.