It could cost as much as £15,000 a year to film Pembrokeshire County Council’s meetings and broadcast them online, full council has heard.

Councillor David Howlett had initially submitted a notice of motion that the public be allowed to film public council meetings, providing they did not obstruct or impede proceedings.

But the corporate governance committee met last Thursday and explored the possibility of webcasting council meetings, which would mean that public filming would not be necessary.

“My original proposal would have cost nothing,”

said Cllr Howlett, who questioned whether £15,000 a year was good value for money.

“I do have reservations about the cost of it,” he said, adding that he still wanted his original proposal to be approved.

“We must allow it, this is a public meeting. If people in the public gallery want to use mobile phones to take coverage this should be allowed.

“We live in a YouTube age.”

Council leader John Davies said that webcasting had its advantages as it would allow all members to be seen (which is not the case from the public gallery).

“We should find out what the costs are before we finally act,” he said, adding: “If they are prohibitive, we can go back to the original notice of motion.”

The majority of councillors voted to initiate a procurement exercise and then make a final decision.