The second item requiring approval was in relation to proposed changes necessary for the effective running of remote meetings during the restrictions brought about by the Coronavirus Pandemic.

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

Furthermore, the Regulations made 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 included voting, member and public access to documents and remote access of public and press.

A Remote Meetings Protocol and Procedure document had been produced for the conduct of remote meetings by Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) and the Association of Democratic Services Officers. Meetings would continue to be webcast and could be watched from the relevant meeting page on the Council’s website.

On a motion by Councillor Pat Hackett, seconded by Councillor Pat Cleary, it was -

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.