As the lockdown restrictions are eased, some extended families will be meeting up for the first time in many months this weekend in their ‘Boris bubbles’. Some of you may finally be able to visit and hug your grandchildren and sons/daughters, plus grandparents etc. Have a great time!
Hybrid meetings
That leads me to hybrid meetings. Many of you will have seen the LGA Counsel’s opinion circulated earlier this week. If you haven’t, your Monitoring Officer should have a copy. This basically says that hybrid meetings are currently unlawful as they constitute indoor gatherings of two or more people. Peter Oldham QC is not convinced in any shape or form that they meet the two exceptions of being legal proceedings or that attendance is reasonably necessary, given that the remote meeting regulations allow councils to meet in that way. I would emphasise that this is the position as of today. The situation is very fluid and it could all well change when the Government has its next review. ADSO and LLG have issued our own joint advice which is now on our website here. But Councils should come to their own view based on the advice available.
Virtual regional meetings
I have just attended a virtual East Midlands regional meeting hosted by East Midland Councils and I thought it went really well. There were some excellent examples of remote meetings and support to members. I’ve said it before but you can all feel very proud of your achievements during the lockdown. If the Government had asked Democratic Services Officers to solve the schools’ problem, most if not all children would be back in their classrooms by now. No doubt whatsoever!
I look forward to the South West regional meeting on 19th June. I am also due to take part in the VVG meeting in the Netherlands on the same day. Thank heavens for virtual meetings. That would have been some commute!
LLG Webinar
I am also presenting on the LLG Webinar on 17 June at 12 noon on ‘Virtual Meetings – Part 2″. The webinars are always excellent (even the ones that I’m not involved in :)) so I would encourage ADSO members to register.
LGA draft Councillors Code of Conduct consultation
The LGA has published the draft councillors code of conduct and has launched the consultation process (see the ADSO website Home Page). This will run to 17 August. Please encourage your authority to comment and also send me your views via the thread on the forum. The more views we have the better the ADSO response will be.
Members Forum
The Members’ Forum continues to increase in activity. Recent posts include, hybrid meetings, the code of conduct, voting at virtual full council meetings, reports at virtual meetings (Teams), hard of hearing meeting participants, evening meetings allowance and Regulatory Committee training. Get involved as much as you can.
Have a great week everyone.
John Austin, ADSO Chair