MORE than 12,000 people used Castle Point Council’s website last month – but only two per cent of these tuned in to watch council meetings shown on the website.

Castle Point is one of the only local authorities, along with Brentwood, to broadcast their meetings live in this way and the council is keen to encourage more residents to watch the webcasts.

Council chief executive David Marchant said: “A small but growing number of people are watching the webcasts.

“There are few cabinets that will meet in that sort of environment.

“It’s democracy in action.”

Residents can watch meetings live or in the archive after the event when they can view the whole meeting or skip to the agenda item they are interested in.

In June 12,072 different users visited the website which can be used to find out everything from rubbish collection days to council tax bands, from paying bills and making planning applications.

Council Leader Pam Challis said: “I am delighted so many people are making use of our website. Whether you live here, work here or are just visiting, pretty much all the information you could need is now being made available online.

“By making as many services as possible available through our website 24 hours a day, seven days a week, we hope to improve the customer experience for everyone.”