Over half of Local Authorities in Wales are now webcasting their proceedings thanks to £1.25m funding from the Welsh Government.
Thirteen councils, along with the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority are already webcasting, with more set to follow shortly.
Local Government and Government Business Minister, Lesley Griffiths, has today welcomed the news and praised the progress made by Local Authorities in Wales in improving the openness and transparency of Local Democracy.
Blaenau Gwent became the latest authority to launch its webcasting service when it aired the planning committee proceedings earlier this month. The Vale of Glamorgan has also announced it is due to start broadcasting its meeting on the internet shortly. They join twelve other authorities: Carmarthenshire, Cardiff, Torfaen, Monmouthshire, Powys, Wrexham, Swansea, Ceredigion, Denbighshire, Anglesey, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Newport in opening up their proceedings on the internet.
Each Local Authority has been awarded £40,000 by the Welsh Government to make Council proceedings more accessible to the public and to enable remote attendance by councillors at council meetings. Community Councils were also allocated £500 each to establish websites.
The Minister said: “Openness and transparency are essential to democracy and play a vitally important role in encouraging everyone to take an interest in local politics, get involved themselves and help improve local services. I am delighted Local Government in Wales is making such excellent progress in this field.
“The Welsh Government has led the way by funding County Borough Councils to broadcast council proceedings and it is wonderful to see such a positive response, with over half of Local Authorities having already put this support to good use. I urge the remaining authorities to follow suit and install webcasting equipment as soon as possible.
“I am also very pleased nearly all County Borough Councils allow blogging and tweeting from their public galleries and Chambers. Social media is an evolving world and an excellent tool which should be embraced. There is no legislative barrier to councillors or the public using social media or filming during council meetings. Allowing filming and blogging is a matter for each Local Authority to decide for itself but I urge all Councils to give this matter serious consideration.“
