Open and Accountable Local Government A guide for the press and public on attending and reporting meetings of local government. For Parish and Town Councils see Part 1, 4 & 5 below. Contents About this Guide Part 1: Your rights to attend and report meetings 1 The New National Rules? 2 Record the meeting? 3 Tweet or Blog a Council Meeting? 4 Disruptive Behaviour? Part 2: Council Executives Access to the meetings and documents of council executives. 1 The national rules 2 Attending the meetings 3 Recording of decisions of public meetings 4 Executive decisions by an individual member or officer 5 Your rights as a councillor Part 3: Non-Executive Meetings Access to non-executive meetings and documents of a local government body, other than parish and town councils. 1 Attending the meetings 3 Recording of decisions of public meetings 4 Decisions by officers Part 4: Parish & Town councils Access to meetings and documents of parish and town councils 1 Attending the meetings 3 Recording of decisions of public meetings 4 Decisions by officers Part 5: Other rights Your other rights of access to information 1 Are there other rights I can exercise? 3 Where can I find the legislation relating to access to local government bodies’ Annex A Description of the local government bodies that are covered by the new rules Annex B Descriptions of Exempt Information Click here to download a copy of the Open and accountable local government. August 2014 | Department for Communities and Local Government