Megan Fitzgerald is the new chairperson on the Methven Community Board, which is looking at increasing engagement by livestreaming its meetings.

Fitzgerald is in her second term on the board and will take over as chair with Richie Owen, in his third term, reprising his role as deputy chair.

“It’s a big responsibility, especially carrying on Kelvin’s work with our previous community board, there is a lot of momentum so it’s a big job to keep that going.”

The board meetings are open to the public and currently the minutes are shared at the Ashburton District Council meetings, which are livestreamed.

Council staff recommended the board provided audio recording online after the meetings, which would cost an estimated $1,000 to install a centre table microphone.

Fitzgerald said that the board felt that for that much money it could be worth opting for livestreaming.

The staff report estimated it would cost $3,000 for a microphone and fixed camera to record meetings, but it didn’t provide a breakdown of any additional costs for livestreaming.

“We are interested to see what the costs are before we make a decision,” Fitzgerald said.

Council community and open spaces general manager Toni Durham said the recommendation had been to start with providing audio recording, but the board was leaning towards livestreaming and asked for further information on the additional costs and processes.

“We will get that information sorted for the next meeting.

“It will be a simple, straightforward system aimed at increasing engagement.”

Fitzgerald believes there is community interest in the community board and the shift to livestreaming, or audio recordings, ties into the recently adopted Methven Community Strategic Plan 2025, which sets a goal of Methven being a well informed and participating community.

“We think there could be a way to visually capture all the board members and be able to hear their thoughts and opinions.

“Community members can tune in if they are interested in what the board are doing in general or on specific topics.

“It’s a really good way to get the community engaged.”

The livestreaming option will be revisited at the board’s next meeting on January 26.

By Jonathan Leask