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

Corporate Director Children and Young People’s Service

North Yorkshire Council
£136,853 to £159,178 plus relocation support
North Yorkshire is England's largest county and a beautiful, vibrant place to live and work. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Customer Service Assistant

Essex County Council
Up to £12541.00 per annum
Customer Service AssistantPermanent, Part Time£12,541 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Executive Director of Communications and Engagement

City of London
Competitive Salary
This role requires strategic vision, operational excellence, and political acumen London (City of), London (Greater)
Recuriter: City of London

Support Worker

Oxfordshire County Council
£25992 - £28163
You will be supporting adults with learning disabilities, mental health needs, ageing needs and dementia. This is a frontline role where you will be providing high quality and meaningful activities, medication support, personal care, food and drink prepar Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Community Support Worker

Essex County Council
£25395.0000 - £32131.0000 per annum
The Role As a Community Support Worker, your role will include undertaking Assessments and Reviews in line with our Statutory duties under the Care England, Essex, Clacton-On-Sea
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner