Chichester District Council is to spend up to £135,000 on a new microphone system for its committee room.
During a meeting of the full council on Tuesday (October 1), members were told that the current audio visual system had reached the end of its working life.
With gremlins bugging the system during a number of meetings, this was something of which councillors were well aware, so were quick to approve the use of reserves to cover the cost.
A procurement process will be held to find a new provider.
The system was installed 12 years ago to improve public visibility and the council’s engagement with the community.
It was upgraded in 2020 during the pandemic, using the existing equipment as much as possible to reduce the costs.
Mark Chilton, cabinet member for finance, corporate services & contract services, told the meeting that the system only had a life expectancy of five years and the model was no longer available, having been withdrawn six years ago.
He added: “Expensive though it is, if we are to proceed without the system breaking down, we have to do it.
“Hopefully we can get a cheaper cost on procurement.”
