LLG and ADSO “very encouraged” by government response to virtual meeting campaign

Responding to the letter, Minister for Local Government Jim McMahon emphasised the Government’s intention to ensure that local government is “modern, efficient, flexible and diverse”, and that it is keen to “break down barriers that prevent people from seeking to serve their communities” - acknowledging that hybrid meetings might be a “helpful step” in achieving this.

Earlier this month, the Minister announced the Government is "keen" to discuss the merits of hybrid council meetings.

LLG and ADSO said: “[We] have already replied to Mr McMahon agreeing that any change in legislation should be evidence based and backed by a governance framework to ensure such meetings are run properly.

“We reminded the Minister that Councils ran hybrid and remote meetings successfully during the pandemic and that our two organisations supported our members extensively in ensuring that they operated within the law and their council constitutions. We also pointed out that whilst the previous government’s Call for Evidence is now over two years old, the 4,000 plus responses are unlikely to have changed significantly and could usefully still help to inform discussions moving forward.”

The organisations added: “We are extremely encouraged by these early communications and we will work with our partners to support both the evidence required and procedural framework needed to bring about remote provision to ensure an inclusive and modern local government sector.”

Previous efforts to allow councils to meet virtually were scuppered after the Conservative Government rejected an amendment in October 2023 to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill that would allow the practice.

At the time, the Government said it would not waver from its "clear, strong and principled view that preserving in-person debate is important for maintaining the integrity of local democracy".

Lottie Winson