From the Chair...

The below guidance has been prepared by Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) and the Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO) in association with Bevan Brittan LLP for the benefit of its respective membership following the High Court judgment on remote meeting provision in respect of local authorities in England. Many questions have been raised following … Continued

Following the Judgement from the High Court in relation to our Virtual Meeting Judicial Review, the court indicated at the end of that judgement within a postscript, that it would consider references to a meeting being “open to the public” or “held in public”. That judgement was handed down today.   The Court has ruled … Continued

Press Release 28th April 2021 The application to the High Court made by ADSO, LLG and Hertfordshire County Council in relation to virtual meeting provision for local authorities has today been dismissed. You can read the Judgement here. extension: docx The court concluded that:  “…. the Secretary of State was correct in November 2016 and … Continued

  Proceedings for a court declaration that virtual meetings can proceed past 6th May 2021 was heard today in the High Court before the President of the Queen’s Bench Division, Dame Victoria Sharp and the Hon Mr Martin Chamberlain QC. ADSO and LLG instructed Counsel, Peter Oldham QC of 11KBW to make submissions and we … Continued

Press Release 26th March 2021   The letter to Council Leaders from Luke Hall MP received yesterday (25th March 2021)  does not change the need for our court hearing, in fact if anything, it makes the need for it more pressing. Councils are already actively considering the options the minister has suggested, including looking at … Continued

ADSO and LLG (along with Hertfordshire County Council) have received permission to expedite our claim for a declaration in the High Court which will provide certainty for local authorities on whether they can continue to hold meetings remotely past the 6th May 2021 deadline, due to the expiry of the Local Authorities and Police and … Continued

    ADSO and LLG, along with Hertfordshire County Council, are pleased to announce that our claim has been issued in the High Court to allow for the continuation of local authority remote meetings beyond the 6th May 2021. The claim also included an application for the Court to expedite proceedings to ensure a decision is made before … Continued

You will recall that the LGA (supported by ADSO, LLG and others) recently lobbied the Secretary of State to allow Councils to continue to hold remote meetings beyond the deadline of 7th May 2021 – on the basis that Councils would be able to choose which of its meetings should be held remotely. The LGA … Continued

Due to popular demand a new date has been arranged and is now ready to take bookings for a second LGA Councillor Model Code of Conduct briefing.   The second webinar will take place on Friday 12 February, 14:00-15:00.   For further details and to book click here.    Members who are unable to attend … Continued

The webinar covering the Councillor Code of Conduct on Friday 29 January is fully booked. You will be able to watch the recording after the event, but due to the level of interest we are actively looking for a further date to schedule this. We will share further details including the link to the recording … Continued