Brightlingsea Town Council (BTC) is to video all of its public meetings and place them online in a bid to boost its accountability and transparency.

Meetings won’t be streamed live, but will be available via the council’s YouTube channel the day after they take place.

The fixed single camera – which the council says has cost less than £50 – will focus on councillors and though members of the public won’t be in view, they will be able to be heard when asking questions.

The The goal of this initiative is to provide residents with more options to stay better informed and engaged with the Council’s activities. By offering a transparent and accessible way to view our meetings, we hope to enhance community involvement and ensure everyone has the opportunity to stay updated on local governance.

“Our main aim is to make meetings more accessible to those who cannot attend in person or who prefer to watch at their convenience,” said a BTC statement. We believe that this initiative will promote accountability and transparency, which are crucial in public service.”