Council meetings could soon be broadcast online

Members of the public would be able to watch full council, executive, and development management committee meetings under plans for the video kit to be installed in the council chamber at Priory House, Chicksands.

Other meetings of significant public interest could also be broadcast from the chamber.

Councillor Maurice Jones said: “As a council we frequently use video to communicate with residents about our services, consultations and policies.

“To date, more than 26,000 people have viewed the council’s videos online.”

The new webcasting services would be from a third party supplier and it is estimated that the annual revenue costs would be £50,000 per year.

There will be recommendations to full council in September, and if successful, webcasting equipment would be installed by December.

Central Government is also considering Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014, after publishing a draft on June 30.

If approved, this would strengthen the right of the public and press to film, audio record, photograph or use social media to record public council meetings.