The first internet broadcast of a Wiltshire Council meeting - which is costing £22,000 a year - had an audience of 194.

Tuesday’s full council, which started at 11am but didn’t finish until nearly 5pm, will be available to watch again via the council’s catch-up service for up to six months.

Wiltshire Council said today that is paying £22,000 a year for the service having signed the deal with web company Public-i, which already works with other councils.

Wiltshire Council leader Jane Scott said: “Making our meetings more accessible to people is very important to us and we are delighted to be able to announce our new webcasting broadcasts during local democracy week, as we think it is an important new channel to help us reach people in a new way.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Jon Hubbard said: “We have a real problem of disengagement. You only need to look at the significant decrease of candidates at the elections of last year.”

In a statement the council said: "The installation of audio visual equipment was installed in the council chamber and one of the committee rooms as part of the recent refurbishment of County Hall.

"The installation allows webcasting of public meetings assisting  the council to increase its transparency, in line with Openness Regulations.

"The cost for the provision of equipment to allow connectivity between the council and the webcasting company, the actual broadcasting of the meetings, plus technical support for the live webcasting and archiving footage is £22,000 per year.  

"The footage will remain available on the council’s website for six months after the date of transmission.

"The first broadcast of the full council meeting this week (October 21) attracted 194 viewers."