EARLY ONE MORNING.........................
Liberal Democrat Councillor for Stansted North on Uttlesford District Council and former Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group Learn more
by Alan Dean on 17 April, 2020
17 April 2020
UDC set for virtual Full Council meeting
Uttlesford District Council is to hold its first virtual Full Council meeting using video conferencing software next week.
Local councils in the UK have been handed new powers by central government to hold public meetings remotely during the current public health emergency. Previously, a meeting required a specific number of councillors to be physically present, however that requirement has been lifted to enable councils to continue their activities in a virtual way.
The council has been exploring ways in which it can do this, and will be trialling the video conferencing software Zoom for the Full Council meeting on 22 April. The meeting starts at 7.30pm and amongst the items for discussion are reports on the financial support packages available to residents and businesses.
Councillors will be able to access the virtual meeting using the software and voting will be done by roll call.
The public and press will be able to follow the proceedings.
If successful, the software will be used to hold other meetings.
Cllr Richard Freeman, Chair of the Council, said: “It is important the council continues to carry out essential business during these unprecedented times.
“The government recently relaxed the legal requirements to hold meetings in person and since then we’ve been looking at how the decision-making process can happen remotely in a way that is still lawful, transparent and accessible.
“We’re therefore looking forward to our first meeting via video conferencing. It will be an entirely new experience and essentially a trial run using this technology. If it goes well, further virtual meetings will be held this way.”
Residents will be able to take part in the virtual Full Council meeting in a number of ways.
They can listen in to the live audio broadcast via www.audiominutes.com/udc or via the meeting agenda which is available on the council website at https://uttlesford.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=5243&x=1.
They can also submit a public statement, question or petition in advance of the meeting in writing, or register their intention to speak with Democratic Services at committee@uttlesford.gov.uk who will explain how they can read out their statement to the meeting through Zoom.
Public statements will be made available to all members of the meeting, and questions will receive a written response. Petitions will be received by the chair of the meeting and sent to the relevant councillor, committee or council officer for a response.
ENDS
NOTES
Leave a Reply