Controversial council debates could soon be broadcast live on the web for the public to watch from home.

Brighton and Hove City Council is investigating the cost of launching the service, which has been trialled by neighbouring councils.

East Sussex County Council and Lewes District Council have both produced live debate webcasts and more than 400 people watched a budget debate held by the county council.

Councillors in Brighton and Hove believe live webcasts from some of its more controversial and crucial meetings could prove more attractive to the public.

The city council became the first to provide live internet coverage of a wedding last month when Sage Andrew and Takae Tsuji tied the knot at Brighton Register Office as relatives watched online from Japan.

Green Party convenor Keith Taylor, who supports the proposal, said: "It was the councillors who put the idea forward.

"If we look around we see there is falling turnout at elections and I think voters feel disenchanted and disempowered and when they cast their vote they are wasting time.

"One way of invigorating some interest and accountability for what goes on in local town halls would be to broadcast it."

Coun Taylor believes the live webcasts could pull the plug on any waffling.

Council chief executive David Panter will study live webcasts of meetings at the Greater London Assembly and advise on whether internet coverage is possible in Brighton and Hove.

The motion was adopted by the council's policy and resources committee, which agreed there was a growing interest in the use of webcasting technology by 50 local authorities nationally.

Wednesday July 14, 2004