Following the Government’s guidance to limit the spread of Coronavirus and restrictions around gatherings of more than two people, the Government has introduced new legislation enabling Council’s to conduct their meetings remotely. The Regulations came into force on 4 April 2020 and apply to local authority meetings (and Police and Crime Panel meetings) which are required to be held, or held, before 7 May 2021.

Furthermore, the Regulations make provision for authorities to make changes to their standing orders, at a remote meeting convened under this new power, to enable them to deal with the practicalities of holding remote meetings. Such practicalities include voting, member and public access to documents and remote access of public and press.

Resolved (36:0) - That the Council adopts the draft Remote Meetings Procedural Rules as appended to the Director of Law and Governance’s  report, for use until 6 May 2021, if it continues to be necessary because of Coronavirus.