Royal Borough council meeting streamed live on YouTube in effort to prove it can be done cheaply

A live recording of the latest RBWM full council meeting was streamed to YouTube by a man looking to prove it was possible to do cheaply – and his efforts appear to have been rewarded with the council exploring videoing options.

Andrew Hill, of Rutland Gate, used a smartphone and tripod to webcast the meeting at Magnet Leisure Centre on Tuesday, December 15 live to YouTube.

“I feel that it is important for local democracy that all members of the local community are able to participate,” said Mr Hill.

“Really I just wanted to prove that it is possible using mostly free technology. Any councillor could do this and broadcast live, it would be so easy.”

Mr Hill felt issues discussed at council meetings should be available to those who are unable to attend through more than just an audio file which the council uploads in the days after the meeting.

“A lot of us work shifts or have children and find it difficult to attend meetings,” he said.

“I also found, attending the other meetings, I had to wait several days for an audio file to come online.”

Brian Millin, of Holyport, has also been involved in requesting the council provide a live stream of meetings, as he believes this will ‘engage younger people in politics.’

“I had the idea to get schools to get pupils involved and engaged with a webcast,” Mr Millin said.

“There are not many kids who don’t have a smart phone nowadays.”

A spokeswoman from the Royal Borough said: “We are looking into the options available for video recording meetings including the most cost effective method of delivery.”