Responding to the announcement that emergency legislation
allowing virtual council meetings will not be extended, Cllr
James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association,
said:
“This decision is extremely disappointing. The Government’s own
roadmap out of lockdown states that indoor gatherings or events -
organised by a business, charity, public body or similar
organisation - cannot be organised until May 17 at the earliest.
Yet councils will be unable to hold remote meetings from May 7.
MPs will retain the right to participate remotely until at least
June 21 but the powers-that-be in the House of Commons will not
make time available to legislate for councillors to do the same.
“The case is clear for the ability for councils to continue to be
able to hold meetings flexibly. We urge the Government to reverse
this decision and not force councils to have to hold COVID-19
secure face-to-face council meetings until all restrictions are
lifted.
“Holding face to face council meetings, with supporting staff,
could easily involve up to 200 people in one room even before
adding in members of the public and reporters. This is likely to
be a significant challenge with councils, for example, having to
source larger venues in order to be able to host meetings with
social distancing measures in place, such as full council
meetings which will need to be held following the May local
elections.
“This also risks damaging the gains seen in public participation
in remote council meetings during the pandemic and our vital
local democratic process.
“Left with no choice, Lawyers in Local Government, the
Association of Democratic Services and Hertfordshire County
Council have made an application to the Courts to declare that
councils already have the powers needed to hold online meetings.
The LGA will be providing support in these proceedings as the
representative body for councils.”
Notes to Editors
The Government has published updated guidance following
confirmation that emergency legislation regarding virtual council
meetings will not be extended - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-guidance-on-safe-use-of-council-offices
