Decision details

100.1  The Council considered proposed contingency arrangements for holding Council and committee meetings if the regulations allowing virtual meetings are not extended or replaced with similar provisions, in the light of a report by the Director of Law and Assurance (pages 127 to 132). The report was moved with a minor revision to Appendix 1, as shown below in bold, italic text with a deletion struck through, which had been circulated.

‘3.09d  Other members of the Council or a committee may participate in the meeting virtually via audio or video conferencing, including the right to speak on matters not requiring a decision or vote where the Chairman of the meeting agrees. They will not be entitled to vote on any business on the agenda. Virtual attendance at meetings convened under these arrangements shall be recorded and treated as a special dispensation for non-attendance at the meeting under section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972.’

100.2  Resolved –

(1)         That the Council approves the adoption of emergency Standing Orders (Appendix 1 to the report, subject to the revision set out in minute 100.1 above) for use for any meeting of the Council or of a committee at which business is required to be transacted requiring member vote or approval and which cannot otherwise we lawfully convened;

(2)         That these arrangements only be applied for as long as all leaders of the political groups of the Council approve of their use;

(3)         That the supplementary Council Standing Orders approved by the Council to enable the use of virtual meetings be confirmed to continue and to be used where required;

(4)         That attendance via virtual link by a member at meetings convened under these arrangements be recorded and that this be treated as a special dispensation for non-attendance at the meeting under section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972; and

(5)         That the Director of Law and Assurance keep all members advised of any changes in the regulatory framework leading to the need for this contingency.