Council expected to hold virtual meetings

Herefordshire Council along with other local authorities in England have been handed new powers to hold public meetings virtually by using video or telephone conferencing technology.

The Government has temporarily removed the legal requirement for local councils to hold public meetings in person during the coronavirus pandemic.

They say this will allow them to make effective and transparent decisions on the delivery of services for residents and ensure that local democracy continues to thrive.

Meetings will remain accessible while ensuring that councillors, staff and the wider public are able to follow Government advice by staying at home to stop the spread of coronavirus to protect the NHS and save lives.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands Herefordshire Council has so far been trialling video conferencing software Webex and Zoom.

Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick 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.”