TAVISTOCK Town Council is taking a step into the 21st century after announcing it is to broadcast webcasts of its meetings online.

The council has approved a capital investment of £9,645 plus VAT to install a brand new audio and visual recording and broadcasting system in the town council chamber.

On completion of the installation works, people will be able to log on to Tavistock Town Council’s website and watch videos of past meetings. In the future people will be able to log on to the website and watch council meetings live as they happen. It will enable people to watch and listen to the debates and decisions made.

Though numerous county, borough and district councils across the country have already installed similar systems to broadcast meetings, it has not yet become common practice among town and parish councils to install such systems. The council has taken the step so it can be seen to be more transparent and residents who can not attend the meetings in person can still hear what has been discussed. It has been discussing various IT provisions for the past 18 months.

The three-camera system has been designed to allow for different recording options, camera zoom, potential live streaming and split screen with graphics. It will have an estimated revenue cost per calendar year of £500.

Cllr John Sheldon said: ‘It is important to ensure openness and transparency at every tier of council governance, no more so than at the local tier. Audio visually recording meetings, live streaming and having them available for download will give those residing in or otherwise involved with Tavistock the opportunity to see and hear proceedings.

‘They will be able to listen directly to discussion and be informed of decisions taken in their name. They will not have to attend often long meetings held for many at inconvenient times. It also meets the needs of those not physically able to attend.

‘Tavistock Town Council leads the way and joins Devon County Council in televising meetings in an open and accountable way. I have also put this forward at West Devon Borough Council to do the same. It is illogical in this digital age not to and given the size of West Devon this should a priority.’

The government has been encouraging councils to take such steps to improve transparency for a while. In 2014 local government secretary Eric Pickles announced that members of the public and press would be able to record audio and photograph council meetings in an effort to make council meetings more transparent.

Former town mayor Cllr Harry Smith is happy to see the camera installed and hopes people will use the service to engage more with the town council.

Cllr Smith said: ‘A lot of debate about it took place over quite a period of time when I was mayor. It is not a legal requirement as such but it’s all done so that members of the public, if they wish, will be able to check to see what their local representatives are talking about.

‘It’s an innovation that quite a few councils in the country have done but I’m not sure how many town councils have. Members of Tavistock Town Council felt it would be a positive move to have actual recordings of meetings available so that people will be able to go on the website and view them if they want to.

‘It’s about being more transparent and that’s the thing we’ve all been aiming for.’

The first phase of installation was completed at the end of August, including the installation of wiring and cameras. It is anticipated the second phase will be completed by the end of September.

l What are your thoughts on the council’s new audio and visual recording equipment? Will you be watching or is it a waste of money? Let us know your thoughts by writing to The Tavistock Times, 14 Brook Street, Tavistock, PL19 0HD or e-mail [email protected]