LLG Delighted Following Governments Commitment to Remote Meeting Provision

After extensive campaigning by Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) and the Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO) the long-awaited good news was announced last week that local authorities will be able to hold remote and hybrid meetings. It is not clear when the necessary legislation will be laid to progress this vital provision, but we will of course continue to update members as matters progress and work collaboratively to help shape provision. 

Along with ADSO, LLG have campaigned tirelessly from the moment we recognised back in 2020 that the Sunset Clause in the legislation during Covid would result in the ability to hold remote meetings being removed. We are absolutely delighted that Government have now committed to this following a sustained effort by our organisations.

It is easy to forget the number of efforts both LLG with ADSO took to help bring this huge change for the sector forward. This included:-

• Corresponding with the local government Minister throughout this period (there have been 8 Ministers during this time).
• Supporting our members at the beginning of the first lock-down by publishing guidance notes for the holding of remote meetings
• Providing model standing orders.
• Providing evidence to the previous Government to show why the right to convene such meetings should be extended beyond the May 2021 deadline
• Joining membership of the national remote meetings stakeholder group to ensure a joined-up sector approach to remote meetings and the campaign for their reinstatement
• Instituting joint proceedings in the High Court in April 2021 to seek clarification of the law to enable councils to continue to meet remotely following the expiry of the relevant covid regulations (we were supported in our application by the then Secretary of State and the Local Government Association plus other organisations).
• Submitting an FOI for release of the information received in the governments Call for Evidence and progressing to a decision notice.
• Supporting other stakeholders with their work in the House of Lords in attempting to amend the Levelling-Up Bill to passport remote meeting provision.
• Numerous press activities to keep the matter live.
• Continuing to engage with Government to encourage the reintroduction of remote meetings, including responding to the most recent consultation.
• LLG attendance at a round-table hosted by the Minister to inform the consultation.

We are grateful to the current Government for its positive approach to this issue and are confident it will meet the stated aims of opening local democracy, making it more engaging and accessible to a wider range of people.

The Government has also announced it will be bringing in proxy voting for council meetings. We note concerns of our membership previously expressed during the consultation phase around pre-determination and will continued to remain engaged to ensure that provision is considered fully.

The Government has stated its commitment to working collaboratively with our sector in developing guidance around these changes and  LLG will continue to involved in shaping provision.