Webcast

Moray Council successfully held the first live webcast of a crunch council meeting on Wednesday 14 February.

The debate, on the future of primary schools in the area, was physically attended by 50 members of the public who crammed into the chamber to hear the debate.

However, another 310 were able to watch and listen live on the internet.

The high-tech equipment was installed as part of a chamber refurbishment last May.

Meetings of the authority's environmental services committee have been recorded and available on the Moray Council website for some months, but yesterday's webcast was a first for Moray and Scotland.

Chair of the education committee, Alasdair Urquhart, said the meeting was too important to limit the numbers who could take part.

"All through the consultation process surrounding the primary school estate review there has been significant public involvement," he said.

"Broadcasting the meeting was the least we could do to show everyone that their comments and responses were listened to and informed the decision-making process.

"I am delighted so many hooked up for this first broadcast, I look forward to a time very shortly when all our meetings are delivered to the public in the same way. It is the way forward."

The result of the meeting was that two of the eight schools under review, Cabrach and St Peter's in Buckie, will go forward to a second stage review.

Within that review process a detailed study will be carried out on the future viability of the schools, and closure will be one of the options considered.