A row has erupted between opposing Conservative and Labour groups over cuts to local services and the future of webcasting Merton council meetings.

Merton Labour councillors voted to scrap webcasting in Merton as a means of making savings after Government cuts to local authorities.

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But Conservative councillors have tabled a motion urging the Labour group to consider alternative options and described this as “the last nail in the coffin of political transparency in Merton”.

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Labour councillor Mark Allison argues there are more popular ways for residents to find out what is happening in the borough – including the free council-produced magazine My Merton and the Wimbledon Guardian – and that saving children’s services and elderly care should be prioritised over webcasting.

Webcasting, the practice of recording and live broadcasting council meetings online, costs 80p per view – though Labour argue this figure is likely to be significantly higher as it does not take into account repeat viewings – while My Merton costs 12p per issue to produce.

Cllr Allison, ward councillor for Lavender Fields, said: “When most residents think we should be discussing the effect of Government cuts on crucial local services such as children’s services and older people’s care, the Tories are obsessed with seeing themselves on camera.

“If they are so keen on being in the limelight the law now allows them to film council meetings on their mobile phones rather than waste council taxpayers money on it.

“They are more than welcome to film meetings and I’m sure their hordes of fans will appreciate the opportunity to watch them in action.”

Conservative councillor Hamish Badenoch cited the example of the decision on AFC Wimbledon’s Plough Lane application as a “prime example of how webcasting can open up council proceedings to a larger audience”.

Merton Council’s webcasting was viewed 6,232 times in December 2015 – the highest monthly viewing figures since the service began in 2012.

Cllr Badenoch of Village ward in Wimbledon said: “Labour councillors still prefer to lavish hundreds of thousands of pounds on their council propaganda machine rather than use a small proportion to maintain webcasting.

“Whilst their past record on enhancing transparency and democracy is poor, they now have one final chance to listen to residents and embrace greater accountability.

“Merton Labour clearly don’t want anyone to see them making the decisions which affect residents’ everyday lives.”

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