TORFAEN council’s meetings have been viewed more than 65,000 times over the internet since it began webcasting all its major meetings in September 2013.

The webcasting service aims to open up local democracy to new audiences online and encourage greater engagement in council business and decision-making.

Residents can watch live meetings, as well as download relevant reports, plans or presentations.

The leader of Torfaen council, councillor Bob Wellington, said: “We began webcasting our meetings to promote citizen engagement in local democracy.

"It is often difficult for members of the public to attend meetings in person due to work, life or family commitments, so webcasting allows them to catch up with the decision making process at a time convenient to them.

“It is encouraging greater engagement in council business and decision-making, which has to be a good thing for local democracy.

“Given the financial outlook for public services, it is increasingly important that people are well informed and engaged in the decisions we are having to take.

“We’ve already seen how effective and influential social media can be in helping the council reach new audiences and webcasting is helping us take this online engagement further.

“It is helping us reach more and more people and encouraging them to and have their say on the decisions that affect them.”

As well as viewing the webcasts live, residents can log-in and watch recorded meetings at a time and place to suit them, click on the speakers they want to see, such as their local councillors, or select the decision/agenda item they are interested in watching being discussed.

Go to www.torfaen.public-i.tv for more information