Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance, (copy enclosed).

The Council considered the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance seeking Members’ consideration of ongoing arrangements for Committee meetings in light of changes to government restrictions.

The report set out the measure agreed by the Council at its meeting on 2 September 2021 and the current legislation / guidance in respect of them.  In light of the changing restrictions the Risk Assessment had been updated and was attached at Appendix A to the report.  Further changes agreed by the Corporate Leadership Team in January 2022 were set out in the report.

Details of the current arrangements to stream meetings via YouTube were set out in the report and Members were asked to consider this and whether they wished to continue the You Tube Stream.

The Leader of the Council put the recommendations as set out in the report to the Council.  These were duly seconded.

Councillor K M H Lagan referred to the Government legal consent ending and enabling as many public to physically attend meetings as possible.  He then proposed that Members and Officers are at liberty to take whatever measures they feel fit to protect their own health and safety and the Chamber should accommodate as many members of the public to observe / participate as reasonably practicable and working within guidance and regulations.  This proposal was duly seconded and agreed.

During the discussion that followed support was given for the continuation of YouTube live streaming, although an upgrade to the sound quality was requested.  It was also requested that face masks be made available for Officers attending meetings.  At this point and in response to a question the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance clarified that the proposal from Councillor Lagan removed all current measures.  The Chairman further clarified that subject to the availability of masks for officers Members were agreeing the recommendations set out in the report. 

RESOLVED that Members and Officers are at liberty to take whatever measures they feel fit to protect their own health and safety and the Chamber should accommodate as many members of the public to observe / participate as reasonably practicable and working within guidance and regulations, including:

·                  noting the updated risk assessment for physical meetings set out at Appendix A to the report;

·                  extending the emergency decision for physical public meeting attendance, subject to capacity numbers as outlined in Appendix A to the report;

·                  continuing YouTube live streaming of meetings past the removal of Covid restrictions in light of the information set out at section 3.8 of the report;

·                  for non-regulatory matters those members unable to physically attend be allowed to join meetings remotely to ask questions / engage in debate, subject to Chairman approval, (noting that they would not be able to vote).