B&NES Councillors have backed the use of video conferencing technology for public meetings and have called on government to make this a permanent option for Councils alongside in-person meetings.

All B&NES public meetings have been held virtually and broadcast live to YouTube since the first lockdown in Spring 2020, due to Covid-19 restrictions. However, the regulations making this legal were a temporary measure and are due to expire in May 2021.

In a motion to B&NES Council, adopted with wide cross-party agreement this evening, Councillors noted the benefits virtual and hybrid meetings could bring and called on government to bring forward the necessary legislation.

Lib Dem Councillor Jess David (Moorlands), who presented the motion, said: “Government urgently needs update the laws to allow Councils to continue meeting virtually. The regulations permitting this will expire in a few weeks and it’s clearly not going to be safe to bring everyone back into the Council Chamber by then.

“The Council is not the only organisation which is trapped between the legislation expiry and Covid guidelines meaning a quorate meeting would not be physically possible, so we hope the government could make the same flexibility available to Parish Councils and Charter Trustees, amongst others.

“In the longer term, we’re also asking for the option to hold virtual or hybrid meetings where we choose to do so to be made permanent. This wouldn’t replace meeting in-person but would give us greater flexibility.

“Video conferencing technology has been a game-changer for Councils and for people who take an interest in local government. Previously, only Cabinet and full Council meetings were recorded. But now hundreds of people are watching committees and joining our new public engagement webinars.

“Broadcasting all Council meetings and allowing virtual participation represents great progress in opening up local democracy. This will enable a much wider group of our residents to participate, without needing to travel to the Guildhall to do so.

“From a personal standpoint, as someone with a young family and a work life, the use of virtual meetings has meant a much more efficient use of my time. I have needed less childcare; I have also saved significant time and reduced my environmental impact by not traveling.

“For anyone with caring responsibilities or with disabilities, enabling virtual meetings immediately makes our work more inclusive and accessible. This could help attract a more diverse range of Councillors and officers to B&NES.

“We want to have the option to hold a meeting using the most appropriate format for the participants and the circumstances, whether that’s virtual, hybrid or in-person. It’s about modernisation, not obligation.

“I feel that having the option for a hybrid meeting would be a great step forward to modernise the way we work – combing a physical meeting with some on screen participation. I understand that council officers are already looking at the technology we would need to make this work.

“I’m delighted that Council supported this motion as an important step to modernise and open up the way we work.”