A Stirling councillor this week called on the authority to put emptying bins before giving themselves a bigger audience.
Plans to live stream Stirling Council meetings were described by Tory councillor Jeremy McDonald this week as nonsense.
And he called on the SNP/Labour administration to concentrate on other priorities rather than investing in technology to allow the public to view councillors at meetings.
Officers investigating the possibility of live streaming say it could increase transparency and accessibility to the public.
Councillors have already been presented with a range of options to look at from audio recordings to full live streaming.
A visit was also arranged to Edinburgh council, who already use the technology, to see how their system worked.
The cost of the options, however, is veiled in secrecy so far, however Councillor McDonald said they could be “considerable”.
He added an FOI request was submitted asking for all relevant information relating to the project - but costings were redacted as ‘commercially sensitive’.
Only the range of options being looked at – ranging from audio and video recordings to full live broadcasts – was released along with an analysis of viewing figures for other local authorities who have introduced these systems.
Councillor McDonald said: “I find it ironic that given the recent secrecy surrounding the current budget proposals that the council have been seriously considering spending a considerable amount of money to increase transparency and openness.
“I hope in the coming budget they prioritise schools, roads, reliable bin collections and other important council services before this nonsense.”
The possibility of webcasting Stirling Council’s meetings was first discussed almost a decade ago.
But in 2011 the plans - which would then have seen Stirling become only the second local authority in Scotland to record, video and webcast meetings - were put on hold due to “financial constraints”.
It had been estimated the proposals would cost an initial £20,000.
The then council leader, SNP councillor Graham Houston, said at that time: “In view of the potential costs involved and other priorities for resources and officer effort, it has not been possible to progress.
“The proposal was intended to allow the public more access to what we do. It was not intended to play back and find out who said what comment to whom.
“I think in a straw poll we would find people feel there are better things to spend money on.”
At least 20 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities are now thought to use webcasting in either full live video or audio form, with varying degrees of public interest.
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “Stirling Council will always explore ways of improving transparency and accountability for our citizens.
“This has included examining the possibility of live streaming council meetings, a practice adopted by the majority of Scottish local authorities.
“These investigations have been discussed with all political groups as part of standard council business and no decision has been made on the possible use of this technology.”
In response to Cllr McDonald, Councillor Jim Thomson said: "This is a very interesting if somewhat contrived attack on the current administration. As far as webcasting council meetings is concerned, I'm guessing Cllr McDonald has not yet spoken to his party leader, otherwise he would know that Cllr Benny has been agitating for webcasting ever since he was elected in 2007. Has he now changed his mind?
"As for an FOI, there was no need for one. Cllr MacDonald is the Tory group secretary, he attended the joint meeting of all the political party secretaries in November 2018 when webcasting was discussed in detail, as something to consider for the future. He knows that the next secretaries meeting will examine the costs and viability of any proposal.
"He really needs to get a grip, by all means have a go at the administration but at least have a coherent argument to articulate."
