Government hands councils power to hold meetings remotely
Councils have been handed new powers to hold public meetings remotely during the coronavirus outbreak, it has been announced.
Government chiefs have temporarily removed the legal requirement for meetings to be held in person – allowing them to be held virtually.
Now authorities across England can hold public meetings by video or through telephone conferencing technology from tomorrow.
It is hoped the move will enable councils to make effective and transparent decisions, whilst protecting councillors, staff and others.
Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick MP said: "Local authorities are the backbone of our democracy and they are playing a vital role in the national effort to keep people safe.
"This change will support them to do that while maintaining the transparency we expect in local decision making.
"Councillors and staff are already doing the right thing by following our advice to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives. This includes working from home wherever possible, and the new powers to hold meetings virtually will make that easier.
"It’s critical that they continue to provide essential services and find innovative ways to maintain important economic functions they perform like the planning system and they will now be able to do so."
It will be up to each council to decide how they will conduct meetings, how voting procedures work and how to ensure the public has access.
Councillor James Jamieson, chairman of the Local Government Association, said: "Councils are working tirelessly to support their communities as they rise to the unprecedented challenge of the coronavirus crisis.
"Giving councils powers to hold meetings remotely is important to maintaining local democracy and allowing critical decisions to be made during this public health crisis.
"Councils need to respond quickly and make very many key decisions. They can now do so while remaining open, transparent and accessible to the public.
"Remote council meetings will crucially help ensure all those taking part stay at home, helping to prevent the coronavirus from spreading and save lives."
Government bosses are also working to bring in a new law so that by-elections, local elections and referendums cannot be held before May 6 next year.
