East Sussex County Council may be set to permanently allow its public meetings to take place either virtually or in some hybrid form.
Next Tuesday (June 29), the authority’s governance committee is set to consider proposals to allow councillors, officers and public speakers to virtually attend council meetings in some circumstances.
While such practices are strongly restricted (at least since the expiry of special provisions in the Coronavirus Act 2020 in May), the council considers there could be some elements allowed within current national legislation.
In a report to the committee, a council officer said:
“Although the expiry of the regulations has largely necessitated a return to pre-pandemic meeting arrangements, there are elements of virtual working that could be retained permanently by the council under existing legislation.
“These would enable the benefits of virtual attendance identified by members during the pandemic, such as increased flexibility, reduced travel costs and reduced carbon emissions, to be retained to a certain extent whilst awaiting the outcome of the national review which may enable further consideration by the council of whether and how to make use of virtual working longer-term.”
Allowing these changes would require a change to the council’s constitution, which itself would require a full council vote.
If approved, there would still only be certain circumstances under which councillors could choose to attend virtually rather than in person.
Generally speaking, the rules set down in national legislation require any voting members to be present in the room where the meeting is taking place.
For example cabinet and committee members would still be required to attend meetings in person.
However, non-voting members (as well officers and petitioners etc.) could potentially be allowed to attend and address the meeting using virtual means.
All councillors would also be expected to attend full council meetings in person, although temporary changes mean health concerns around coronavirus (including self-isolation) are currently considered to be approved absences.
Full council public questions – something which has been suspended since the first lockdown – could also potentially be allowed through this format.
Lead member meetings are covered by separate legislation, meaning they can continue to be held completely remotely if wanted (something which the council has already been doing).
A report on the proposals is set for discussion by the council’s governance committee next Tuesday (June 29), with a full council discussion to follow in the near future, likely at a meeting on July 9.
Man Charged After Throwing Brick Through Brighton Restaurant Window
Peacehaven Man Disqualified Over High-Speed A27 Pursuit Near Brighton
Appeal After PCSO Assaulted In Uckfield
Man Charged With Rape Of Teenage Girl In Newhaven
Overnight Closures For A22 Forest Row Road Improvements
Brighton Defence Manufacturer's Controversial Planning Application Likely To Be Heard
Over £2.4m Approved For Worthing School Support Centre
Section Of M25 To Close Again Tonight - As Drivers Warned Not To Get Complacent
Plans For 800 New Horsham Homes Refused
Over 200 Co-Living Flats Approved For Brighton