Back to County Hall for Wiltshire Council after elections

During the onset of the coronavirus pandemic last year, legislation was passed to allow for councils to meet virtually.

Virtual meetings for councils across England set to come to an end Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire.

Now, as England takes tentative steps out of lockdown, MPs voted not extend the rules for councils by another six months – a move the Local Government Association labelled as “extremely disappointing”.

Cllr James Jamieson, chairman of the LGA, said: “The case is clear for the ability for councils to continue to be able to hold meetings flexibly.

“We urge the Government to reverse this decision and not force councils to have to hold Covid-19 secure face-to-face council meetings until all restrictions are lifted.”

The organisation added that it fears the gains made to public participation during the pandemic could be damaged as a result of the ruling.

Leader of the independents at Wiltshire Council, Ernie Clark said: “I think that, so long as the meetings aren’t crowded and are in well ventilated rooms, things might be ok.

“Virtual meetings have their benefit but don’t seem to have the ‘atmosphere’ of a ‘proper’ meeting.

“That said, for non-public meetings, I hope Wiltshire Council will continue with them.”

Cllr Ian Thorn who heads up the opposition to the Conservative run council, said : "Given the dangers of a forth lockdown the intention by government to force councils to meet face-to-face is completely bonkers."

The leader of the Labour party in Wiltshire, Rick Rogers welcomed the return of in-person meetings, but that full council meetings could still be an issue because of the size of the chamber.

Leader of Wiltshire Council, Philip Whitehead said the government’s position was disappointing, adding that face-to-face meetings could become difficult when they collide with social distancing guidance. 

“For many meetings this will not be a problem but I am particularly thinking of the larger meetings, such as full council, that we have to hold within two weeks of the election, and which will involve more than 120 people in one place, socially distanced but still able to participate fully in the meeting,” he said. 

“This includes being able to have secret ballots if required. The size of the venue required to achieve this safely is significantly larger than the council chamber.”

Wiltshire Council chief executive officer, Terence Herbert

Chief executive of the council, Terence Herbert told journalists at this week's Covid-19 briefing that the decision was disappointing.

He said: "There is high court action being taken by Hertfordshire County Council and Lawyers in Local Government. Hopefully the government will change their minds on that.

"We're currently working up a number of different options and that includes some virtual meetings. There are some meetings that can and are allowed to continue virtually. One of the challenges we have is that full council has to meet in person and we have to adhere to Covid guidance.

"It's a little bit of a catch 22 but we're working on some solutions and it may well be we might have hybrids."

Mr Herbert added the council will be discussing options on April 1, and will have a decision by next week.