Harrogate council has revealed the true cost of livestreaming in-person meetings – more than a year after councillors rejected the idea because of claims it would be too expensive.

The cost of equipment and installation will be £2,180 – considerably less than the “tens of thousands of pounds” which, in January 2020, conservative council leader Richard Cooper said the authority could not justify spending.

At the time, Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Aldred, who put forward the idea, offered to pay for it himself, but he was not supported and the predicted costs were never made public.

That was until Harrogate resident Jerry Diccox submitted a Freedom of Information request which was initially rejected by the council due to “commercial sensitivity” reasons but later overturned by the data watchdog ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office).

The findings in October revealed the council received three quotes, ranging from just over £5,000 to nearly £48,000.

The council had by then already made an enforced switch to livestreaming due to Covid restrictions, although meetings have been held remotely and not in-person during the pandemic.

But after the government this month instructed all councils to return in-person and said livestreaming should continue until at least 21 June, Harrogate council has now taken its first steps towards installing equipment in the chamber.

A council spokesperson said:

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Meanwhile, councillor Cooper, who previously spoke in favour of continuing some remote meetings, said it is wrong to compare the £2,180 cost with previous quotes on a “like with like” basis.
He said: