A FORMER journalist from Sully is leading a campaign for a law change to allow people to film and broadcast council meetings live online.

Ex-BBC and ITV reporter Anna Brees says that despite her keen interest in local affairs – particularly regarding Sully and Lavernock Community Council – she is unable to attend meetings regularly as she is a single parent.

Ms Brees, who now teaches people how to film and edit video, contacted Sully council asking if they would permit the live streaming of meetings.

It said it would consider Ms Brees’ request at their next meeting, but it led the former newsreader to look more deeply into the matter.

Ms Brees: “I’ve found that in Wales, it’s really up to the discretion of the council.

“People like myself cannot get to these meetings.

“I would rather see what’s going on in my local community than watch Coronation Street.”

Under ‘The Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014’, councils in England cannot prohibit filming at council meetings, but the law in Wales remains unchanged.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council live stream some of their meetings already, and they confirmed that, in principle, it was unlikely that any such request would be refused.

Both Penarth and Barry town councils said that, at present, filming and streaming is not permitted though.

“For me, I cannot go. How is that fair?” said Ms Brees.

“I pay taxes and I feel like I have a right to know what’s going on, and I think other people have an interest in that, too.

“I think it would be great for democracy. Even if they increase their audience by 10, 20 people, wouldn’t that be a good thing?

Ms Brees intends to take her campaign to the Senedd in Cardiff, to lobby the Welsh Government to bring the laws in line with those in England.

Sully Community Council will debate Ms Brees’ request on October 2.