Local authorities are being urged to join a new social media network, in a bid to be more transparent.

Mootis has been launched in response to the Government urging councils to allow people to video public meetings and comment on council proceedings.

Chair of Mootis, Bill Braithwaite QC, said: ‘Local government has been utilising the Internet in various guises over the years. However, the rise in social media use in recent times has forced them to consider the internet not just as a tool in which to share news and policies, but an arena in which they are held to account by the service users themselves – bloggers, social media users and journalists that use the online world to air grievances, express concern or ask questions.

‘Commendably, local authorities have responded to this demand, and noticeably increased their visibility and openness with the public, through creating their own social media presence and interaction technique. New regulations introduced last year highlight this further - establishing greater access to the ‘inner sanctum’ - through opening the doors to meetings usually taken in private.’

The platform, www.mootis.co.uk, will also enable local authorities to upload and share videos and documents, post up to 500 words, and create polls and surveys.