13 March 2006

Devon County Council's live webcasts continue to prove popular, with the number of visitors during February exceeding the previous high set only the month before.

Having received a record audience of 1,514 viewers in January, Devon council's long running webcast service then proceeded to break this record again in February, attracting 1,699 viewers over the course of the month.

Although the webcast does provide live access to meetings and conferences, a majority of its viewers during February preferred to us the site's archive feature, highlighting its facility to provide information to residents when it is convenient for them.

Councillor Des Hannon commented: "Devon's Implementing Electronic Government Statement sets targets for awareness-raising and participation of citizens in an e-culture and helping citizens to become better informed about local government.

"We realised webcasting could be harnessed as part of a communications strategy to improve public involvement in and awareness of local democracy."

The webcast service, which was first launched in 2001, enables residents to watch meetings of the full council, the executive, the Development Control Committee and the Environment Economy, as well as the Policy Resources and Health Overview/Scrutiny Committees.

The most popular webcast during February was a meeting of the Health Overview/Scrutiny Committee, which attracted 143 viewers, while the most popular live webcast was the council's budget meeting, which 76 viewers tuned in for as it was being held.

© Adfero Ltd

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