Issue - meetings

Executive Members are asked to:

·          Review the Council’s current decision-making arrangements in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, and consider the future of remote access and in person meetings for the County Council. 

·          Make a proposal to the Chief Executive Officer for recommendation, under his emergency delegated powers, to full Council for review at their meeting on 17 November 2021.

Considered – A report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal & Democratic Services) presenting options for holding formal committee meetings from 17 November 2021 onwards.

County Councillor Carl Les introduced the report and acknowledged the benefits associated with remote access meetings, as detailed in section 3 of the report, particularly the savings that had been delivered in time, cost and carbon. 

However they also recognised the County Council’s leadership role and the importance of leading by example, by returning to a more normal, pre- pandemic ways of working.

He also confirmed he had taken a sounding from Members across all political parties and that there was still a desire within the Council to continue with virtual meetings, but to allow Committee Chairs to consult with both the Leader and Chief Executive on a case-by-case basis should they wish to hold a meetings in person.  He also confirmed the Council’s aspiration to return to face-to-face meetings as quickly as possible, bearing in mind that Covid was still present, with increases in cases across the county.   He expressed hope that the February 2022 Council meeting would be held in person as it was the budget setting meeting.  He also confirmed the Executive would start to meet in person as of its next meeting in November.  

Finally, he noted that the next scheduled meeting of the Executive in November 2021 clashed with the County Council Network Conference and therefore requested that an alternative date for the Executive meeting be identified.

It was therefore agreed to make the following proposal to the Chief Executive Officer for recommendation, under his emergency delegated powers, to full Council for review at their meeting on 17 November 2021:

·          To continue with informal virtual committee meetings, but to allow Committee Chairmen to consult with both the Leader and Chief Executive on a case-by-case basis, should they wish to hold a meeting in person