Virtual council meetings coming to Northamptonshire soon

Council meetings will soon be back up and running again – although in a very different format.

On Friday (April 3) the Government temporarily lifted the legal requirement for local authorities to hold public meetings in person while the country copes with the coronavirus pandemic.

Each council in North Northamptonshire had shelved its meetings calendar over the past couple of weeks as social distancing rules and the Government’s order to only go out for essentials had meant it was impossible for councillors and officers to attend the meetings.

But now the councils can meet ‘remotely’ again with the new ruling coming in from last Saturday and Government saying it expects the councils to get their online ways of working up soon.

The requirement for meetings to be accessible to the public remains, however it is up to the individual local authority how it conducts meetings. Video or telephoning conferencing is the most likely solution.

Local Government Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said: “Local authorities are the backbone of our democracy and they are playing a vital role in the national effort to keep people safe. This change will support them to do that while maintaining the transparency we expect in local decision making.

“Councillors and staff are already doing the right thing by following our advice to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives. This includes working from home wherever possible, and the new powers to hold meetings virtually will make that easier.

“It’s critical that they continue to provide essential services and find innovative ways to maintain important economic functions they perform like the planning system and they will now be able to do so.

“We’ve given local authorities across England an additional £1.6 billion to help their crucial work in the national effort against coronavirus, and we are continuing to ensure they get all of the support that they need at this time.”

The local authorities in Northamptonshire have collectively received £17.7m to deal with the coronavirus situation, with the lion’s share going to Northamptonshire county council, which has responsibility for adult social care.

A spokesman for Wellingborough Council said is planning to reschedule essential meetings as soon as possible.

A spokesman said: “Wellingborough Council is reviewing how it can facilitate its council meetings digitally for councillors and members of the public in line with Government guidance. This includes looking at rescheduling essential meetings as soon as possible, and reviewing arrangements for the annual council meeting due to be held in May. Any changes to how and when meetings are held will be communicated with the public via the council’s website and social media channels.”

However Kettering Council does not anticipate having meetings up and running before the end of the month.

A spokesman said: "We have studied the new regulations, although some further advice about implementation is due out shortly, and we are now examining technical options for how they can be put into practice.

The only meetings we are considering convening virtually at the moment are planning committees, which have a high level of public attendance and contribution, so it is important we get the technology right to allow applicants, and the public, to be engaged in the meeting. However, we do not anticipate being in a position to hold any meetings before the end of April.

A spokesman for East Northamptonshire Council said: “Following the passing of government regulations on Saturday 4 April to allow for local authority public meetings to be conducted virtually, ENC is currently investigating solutions for their integration into its decision making processes.”

Corby Council has been contacted for comment.