States meeting still available via Teams

During lockdown the software was used to allow members to meet virtually, but at the same time it enabled islanders not only to see many of those speaking but also, with the recorded debates being stored on the gov.gg site, to return to debates afterwards.

Following positive feedback from the public, the States returned to Teams this week.

While there are no cameras being using in the new version of the online stream, the stream shows a picture of who is talking and the topic being discussed.

After the debate, a list of who spoke at what time will also be added to enable people to quickly find a particular speaker during a given debate.

‘Having developed the functionality of MS Teams to live stream the States meeting via the States’ website, we did not wish to lose this development – and the benefits it brought – on the return to physical meetings,’ said parliamentary officer Emma Atkinson.

‘We have worked with the communication team and been assisted by BBC Radio Guernsey in setting up the live stream of States’ meetings.’

. The first remote meeting after lockdown saw 1,151 people viewing on the afternoon of Tuesday 14 April, and 517 the following day.

The final meeting saw 309 on Wednesday 17 June, followed by 253 on the Thursday and 209 on Friday.

These figures included viewings during and after the meeting.