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A town council has scrapped plans to broadcast its public meetings live online over fears members could potentially die during a live broadcast.

Penmaenmawr Town Council approved plans to 'live stream' public meetings earlier this year, spending almost £500 on equipment.

But earlier this week, the decision was overturned by the local authority amid concerns that if members died or became seriously ill on camera, their families wouldn't be the first to know.

It also raised concerns that live streaming would breach data protection regulations.

In protest of the vote, Councillor Denise Fisher, a retired university senior lecturer in mental health, resigned from her post.

Speaking to North Wales Live, she said concerns about members becoming ill on camera were "nonsense" and that the decision would deter transparency.

Mrs Fisher said: "The decision was overturned by eight votes to three over concerns livestreaming may breach GDPR or the possibility of someone falling ill.

"It's nonsense. Lots of town and county councils already live stream their meetings.

(Image: Daily Post Wales)

"You're able to delay the live stream for about five minutes, which would give you plenty of time to stop the broadcast if anything happened.

"I am sad to be standing down, but I'm not happy with the decision at all. I can't continue.

"I wanted to represent my area, but I felt enough was enough. To me, it's all about transparency, and this was in the best interest of the public."

Jason Edwards, a councillor for Pant yr Afon, originally proposed the idea to live stream meetings to make it easier for people to watch them without having to attend.

He said because the council chambers are located up a narrow set of stairs, it was difficult for elderly residents to attend.

"One of the purposes I initially proposed we live stream meetings was to help alleviate any restrictions the local community may have encountered with attending our meetings," he said.

"Personally, I also hoped it would help to demystify the processes of local government and promote inclusivity within the community.

"The equipment was purchased some months ago but live streaming had to be postponed temporarily when it was discovered that our current broadband didn’t provide a fast enough upload speed, even though favourable speed tests were carried out on the line prior to the purchase of the equipment."

Penmaenmawr Town Clerk Martin Hanks said there were a "host of reasons" why councillors voted not to proceed with live streaming but said the council is "fully committed to transparency".

Speaking to North Wales Live, he said: "The decision not to go ahead with live streaming came about from a properly conducted democratic vote, where three quarters of the Council rejected the concept.

"Only three councillors were in favour of proceeding.

"Unfortunately, one of these councillors was unwilling to accept this democratically achieved decision and subsequently resigned.

"Penmaenmawr’s decision is in keeping with almost every other town and community council in Wales. At this level hardly any council broadcast their meetings live."

Mr Hanks, added: "While the town council has elected not to proceed with live streaming at this time, the town council is fully committed to transparency and makes a wide range of documents and reports available to the public via the council’s website."