Virtual attendance of council meetings

The Local Government Association (LGA) is reporting that the Government is considering changes around councillors attending meetings virtually.

According to the reports, the new Government "has signalled" they are open to looking again at flexibility around virtual attendance at council meetings.

In response, Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the Local Government Association, said:

“It is encouraging that the new Minister has signalled he is open to looking again at flexibility around virtual attendance at council meetings – something the LGA has been calling for since 2021.

“Council meetings are an essential part of local democracy. They are where important issues are debated and decisions that impact residents' daily lives are made. So, we are glad to hear the minister’s commitment to an evidence-based approach to any legislative change.

“The legal requirement for councillors to attend meetings in person can hinder some people from fully serving their communities as councillors. Additionally, we’ve already seen how virtual meeting technologies can support democratic decision-making in emergencies during the pandemic.

“Councils should be given the freedom and flexibility to choose for themselves whether and when to allow virtual attendance at their meetings.”

There is no suggestion at present that this decision has any connection with the recent court case where the High Court ruled that r

emote licensing hearings are lawful, but this move will assist licensing authorities in light of the High Court ruling.