Responding to the judgement in the High Court application made by
Hertfordshire County Council, Lawyers in Local Government and the
Association of Democratic Services Officers -v- Secretary of
State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for a
declaration that councils can continue to hold online and hybrid
meetings beyond 7 May 2021, Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the
Local Government Association said:
“It is very disappointing that this last avenue to allow
councils to hold online and hybrid meetings whilst COVID-19
restrictions are still in force has not been successful. Councils
by law, have to hold annual meetings within 21 days following
local elections, so many will now have to use very large external
venues to allow all members of the council to meet in
person.
“Councils want to continue to have powers to hold online
and hybrid meetings even when restrictions have been lifted. A
recent LGA survey of its members revealed that 83 per cent of
councils said they would be very likely or fairly likely to
conduct meetings both online and in a hybrid way once the
coronavirus emergency was over if they had the power.
“The current flexibility has been paramount in allowing
access for both councillors and the public into council meetings.
Many councils have, in fact, seen significantly increased
participation by the public in meetings where important decisions
are made about planning, housing and the provision of local
services. Councils want the flexibility to continue to meet in
this way and continue their business, especially in times of
emergency such as when flooding occurs or if there is significant
traffic disruption due to weather conditions.
“The Government gave clear evidence at the hearing in
support of allowing the option of online and hybrid meetings.
Unfortunately, the judgement is clear that primary legislation is
needed to allow councils to use technology to hold
meetings.”
Notes to editors
A recent LGA
survey of 243 English councils revealed that 83 per cent said
they would be very likely or fairly likely to conduct meetings
online or as a hybrid meeting once the coronavirus emergency was
over if they had the power. 79 per cent said they would be very
likely or fairly likely to hold hybrid meetings, where members
can choose to attend in person or remotely.
