ALMOST £10,000 will soon be spent by Tavistock Town Council to facilitate the recording and broadcasting of meetings as a way of enhancing its transparency.

Over the past 18 months, councillors have discussed the provision of ICT as a way of the council enhancing its openness without prejudicing statutory obligations.

Members of the full council meeting discussed the investment of broadcasting its council meetings and its financial implications last Tuesday (July 14).

The rising costs of such a move caused some councillors concern.

Cllr Ann Johnson said: 'When we last discussed this it was to cost in the region of £4,000 to £5,000, now that's doubled — it's spiralling out of control. I do not support this.'

Cllr Tim Gibbons said: 'Audio will be sufficient, we don't need visual as well.'

But most councillors believed the delivery of the system would improve communications with the public, especially those who are not able to attend due to health reasons.

In support of the venture was Cllr John Sheldon. He said: 'It's a good investment for the people out there who can't make the meetings.

'Have we got much to hide?

'Many councils across the country do it and as we are one of the largest parish councils this will provide a wonderful opportunity to show how transparent we are and this is the best way of delivering that.'

Cllr Harry Smith said: 'We have nothing to hide in this council and we need to be transparent. It's better for this authority to have control of what's going on out there.'

It was decided by the committee to spend £9,645 plus VAT for a facility to live video stream and record onto the internet, plus £480 per year for the live streaming subscription.