People around the world will soon be able to view Brentwood Borough Council meetings live on the internet.

Four hi-tech new internet cameras, or webcams, are to be installed in the council chamber at the Town Hall for a 12-month trial period.

Brentwood will be the first district council in Essex to introduce the new technology. "We want to be leading from the front and this is a good example of how we are doing that," said leader Brandon Lewis, who hopes the move will make the council more accountable and accessible to the public.

He visited a live webcast meeting at East Sussex County Council, and was impressed with what he saw.

"Webcasting provides an opportunity for residents to become interested, informed and involved in the democratic process, without having to join us in the council chamber," he added.

"This is a really exciting opportunity. It will allow people in the community to see what goes on. We want councillors to be accessible, and the easiest way to do that is for people to see what is going on and how we do things."

Cllr Lewis said he also hoped that schools in the borough would use the new technology as part of their citizenship lessons, to teach students about the workings of local government.

The cost of using the new technology will be about £18,000 per year. The 12-month trial is being funded by a grant from the Government, which is encouraging local authorities across the UK to use technology to make services more accessible for residents.

The webcams will allow live webcasting of all council meetings, including those of the influential policy board and environment and community panels.

It is hoped that the new technology will be in place by the autumn.

Published Wednesday August 18, 2004

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