Agenda item

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 updating Members of the approach and options for Council and Committee meetings from 6 May 2021, when the current remote meeting legislation expires.

The report outlined the current provision which allow virtual meetings to take place and how this was due to expire on 6 May 2021.  A number of organisations across Local Government were working to challenge this but to allow for an option to be implemented by 6 May 2021 delegation of the final decision was sought.  Appendix 1 to the report outlined a number of options which were being considered.

In response to a question, the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance confirmed that to date there was no legal update in respect of virtual meetings after 6 May 2021.

The Leader of the Council presented the report and proposed that the recommendations set out in the report be agreed.  This was duly seconded.

Members discussed the report.  Councillor A S Fluker raised some concern and asked the Leader if she would, with the Chairman’s support, be prepared to call an extraordinary meeting of the Council once further information was known.  The Leader confirmed that she would.  Councillor Fluker then proposed that at the request of the Leader of the Council and at the discretion of the Chairman once further information was available an extraordinary meeting of the Council be arranged to consider what is best for the Council.  This was duly seconded.

A debate ensued and a number of comments were made regarding virtual and face to face meetings.  In response the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance outlined some of the options that Officers were investigating should virtual meetings not be able to continue after 6 May 2021.  It was noted that Officers would continue to look at all options and continue with risk assessments, scoping out alternative venues etc.

At this point Councillor Fluker withdrew his earlier proposition and proposed that the Leader of the Council in conjunction with the Chairman calls an extraordinary meeting of the Council to consider options once further information is forthcoming from the Government on process of holding meetings after 6 May 2021.

In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor K M H Lagan requested a recorded vote.  This was duly seconded.

The Chairman put the recommendations set out in the report with the additional proposal in the name of Councillor Fluker to the Council.  The voting was as follows:

For the recommendation:

Councillors Miss A M Beale, B S Beale, V J Bell, R G Boyce, Mrs P A channer, M F L Durham, M R Edwards, A S Fluker, M S Heard, M W Helm, A L Hull, K W Jarvis, J V Keyes, C Mayes, S P Nunn, N G F Shaughnessy, R H Siddall, N J Skeens, W Stamp, J Stilts, Mrs M E Thompson and Miss S White.

Against the recommendation:

Councillors M G Bassenger, Mrs J L Fleming, K M H Lagan and C Swain.

Abstention:

There were none.

RESOLVED

(i)              That Members review the details set out in this report and are assured that Officers are doing all that they can to scope future options with the limited information provided;

(ii)            That final decision on the future approach to meetings be delegated to the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Chairman of the Council, Leader of the Opposition Party and Leader of Democratic Alliance Group.

(iii)          that the Leader of the Council in conjunction with the Chairman calls an extraordinary meeting of the Council to consider options once further information is forthcoming from the Government on the process of holding meetings after 6 May 2021.

Councillor C P Morley joined the meeting at this point.