William Eichler 29 June 2023

Majority of councils support return of virtual meetings

Majority of councils support return of virtual meetings image
Image: fizkes / Shutterstock.com.

Most councils would like to be able to reintroduce virtual meetings to support the recruitment and retention of councillors, a new survey has revealed.

A Local Government Association (LGA) survey found that 95% of councils said they want the powers to be able to reintroduce virtual and hybrid technology for statutory council meetings.

One in 10 of the surveyed local authorities reported having a councillor who had stepped down since May 2021 due to the requirement for them to attend in-person meetings.

Completed by a third of councils in England, the LGA poll found that 84% of councils said their councillors with work commitments would benefit from hybrid meetings, while 64% thought that councillors with childcare commitments would also take advantage of digital meetings.

No council surveyed wanted to hold fully virtual meetings.

Cllr Joe Harris, vice-chair of the LGA said: ‘Good decision-making needs people who reflect the range of experiences, background and insight that exist in their communities.

‘However, councillors are restricted by law to attend council meetings in person, which can deter a range of people including full time professionals, parents of young children, carers, workers and disabled people from stepping forward to represent their communities.

‘The Government should provide councils, who know their communities best, with the flexibility they need to decide how to use hybrid technologies in their meetings.’

Sign up here to receive our free daily news and jobs bulletin.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay award pending)
Do you have a real passion for helping families to make positive changes for themselves and their children? This might be the right role for you!   WH Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Clerical Officer Receptionist

Durham County Council
Grade 3 £24,404 - £25,183 Pro Rata to hours worked Pay award pending
WHAT IS INVOLVED? We are looking to appoint a part time Clerical officer/Receptionist within Business Services to provide a professional, effective a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administration Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711 pro rata
Administration Assistant Grade 5    £25,584 - £27,711 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31 December 2025 37 hours per week, Te Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
Support Assistant Grade 1 £24,027 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31st October 2026 Part Time, 32.5 hours Mon - Fri 9am -4pm Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lecturer in Foundation Learning -Maths, English and Digital

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 pro rata for part-time term time working PAY AWARD PENDING
The DurhamLearn Foundation Learning programme area delivers Digital Skills, English and Maths Functional Skills.   An opportunity has arisen for a Lec Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner