People across Devon will be able to follow a County Council meeting next week via the internet.

A live 'webcast' of the County Council's full council meeting on the Council's award-winning website http://www.devon.gov.uk/ will be made at 2.15pm on Thursday 15 January.

The public are able to get involved either live or from recorded archives from their homes, selected libraries and Devon In Touch.

Devon In Touch is a state-of-the-art vehicle developed by the County Council in partnership with BBC Radio Devon and Devon Fire and Rescue Service to give people in rural communities the chance to use the internet, find out more about public services and how to access them.

The selected libraries providing the webcasting service are Barnstaple, Exeter Central, Honiton, Newton Abbot and Tavistock. It is anticipated that all libraries will be able to provide the service from the spring.

As well following County Council meetings, residents will be able to send in their views on the issues discussed, decisions taken and the webcasting service itself. There is also a special section for people who want to give their views on Council Tax and whether it should be reformed.

The County Council broke new ground with the broadcasting of the Devon Foot and Mouth Inquiry over the Internet, and is now aiming to provide the public with greater access to important meetings and decisions.

The Council is trialling new 'webcasting' technology over the next 12 months in a partnership with UKCouncil, the country's leading provider of webcasting technology designed for the public sector. The Council has signed a £48,800 one-year contract with UKCouncil, a contract which is paid for from the Council's modernisation programme funded by Government borrowing approvals.

Commenting on the initiative, County Council Leader, Cllr Brian Greenslade, said: 'Our aim is to broaden and strengthen public involvement in local democracy by harnessing internet technology but without incurring major costs. The County Council is able to do this without increasing Council Tax by using Government borrowing approvals.

'An average of just seven people attend public meetings of any kind in the UK, but the fact is that people lead ever more hectic lives and the demands on their time are many. We need to find new ways to encourage public involvement in their democratic institutions and one way is to provide access to meetings when and where they want them.'

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