Virtual meetings could see return of Durham County Council functions

The work of Durham’s county councillors has been largely put on hold thanks to restrictions introduced to try and curb the spread of COVID-19.

Decisions and debates on everything from spending plans to planning and licensing applications usually require physical attendance at meetings.

But the government has given the green light for local authorities to relax rules and allow more meetings to be held by phone or video link.

Helen Lynch, head of legal and democratic services at Durham County Council, said: “We have been monitoring the progress of legislation that enables local authorities to meet remotely, and welcome the regulations that will come into effect on Monday (April 6).

“We are considering the practical implications and the options available to the council to hold remote meetings.”

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) says the new rules will ensure ‘effective and transparent’ decision-making during the COVID-19 lockdown.

But although it will be up to individual councils to decide how voting and debate will take place, they have also been told to make sure virtual meetings are also accessible to the public.

Local Government Secretary, Robert Jenrick MP, said: “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.”

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