Heather Jameson 10 December 2021

Government urged to allow remote council meetings

Government urged to allow remote council meetings image

Council leaders have urged the government to rethink the rules to allow remote council meetings.

During the initial stages of the pandemic, councils were able to hold official meetings via video conferencing while the country was in lockdown. But when the emergency legislation ran out, councillors were forced back into council chambers.

Now that the government has put Plan B in place to deal with the Omicron variant, which requires people to work from home where possible, the Local Government Association (LGA) has urged central government to ‘urgently bring forward emergency legislation’ to allow remote and hybrid meetings.

LGA chairman, Cllr James Jamieson said: ‘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 an unnecessary public health risk for elected members and officers to take when councils have demonstrated over the pandemic that it is possible to hold formal decision-making meetings in a remote or hybrid manner,’ he said.

The call follow that of the Association of Democratic Services Officers and Lawyers in Local Government, who called for a change of the rules earlier this month.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Interim Head of Waste Management

Essex County Council
Up to £650.0000 per day + Umbrella
Interim Head of Waste ManagementTemporary, Full TimePay Rate
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Planning Policy Officer

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
£44,355 - £53,120 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Planning Policy Officer to join us! Maidenhead, Berkshire
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Occupational Therapist

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
£35,676 - £42,811 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for an Occupational Therapist to join us! Maidenhead, Berkshire / Multiple
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Personal Advisor

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£37,766- £47,830 per annum
Personal Advisor£37,766- £47,830 ... Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Senior Social Worker (Hospital Team)

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
£45,831 - £50,414 per annum, plus an annual retention bonus of £3,000 subject to eligibility.
We have exciting opportunities for Senior Social Workers to join the Hospital Discharge Team! Maidenhead, Berkshire
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
Linkedin Banner