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 want to work in an ambitious Local Authority with strong leadership and partnership commitment to Children’s Services? Durham County Council a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

SENDIASS Support Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
An exciting and rewarding opportunity has arisen within the busy and fast paced SEND Information, Advice, Support Service (SENDIASS). The service has Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Residential Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Leader

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Class Teacher

Durham County Council
£31,650- £33,483
Class Teacher MPS 1 -2   £31,650- £33,483 Temporary – required from Monday 1st September 2025 (subject to DBS) until 31st August 2026 25 hours per wee Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner