Aberdeenshire Council to Continue Virtual Meetings

Aberdeenshire Council explores the possibility of continuing virtual meetings post Covid-19 pandemic.

18:10 15 April 2021

Aberdeenshire Council may carry on with virtual meetings even after the Covid-19 pandemic. 

 

A report submitted to the council's procedures committee proposes virtual gatherings to continue until as a return to offices "remains uncertain" and that any moves to in-person meetings will be "dependent on what happens in the coming months in the fight against the virus." 

 

The document also states that the council may consider a so-called hybrid meeting that would involve a combination of video meetings and physical gatherings. 

 

The report reads: “The success of the council in its move to a virtual meeting environment and the changes to the standing orders agreed by full council have altered the Council’s approach to online participation at meetings.

 

“Due to the clear benefits of online participation in terms of reduced travel and costs, there is no doubt that the ability to participate by online means will be an expectation, not an exception, as the Council emerges from the pandemic and beyond.”

 

It added: “Officers from legal and people and customer and digital services are in the process of scoping out options for online and hybrid meetings and have identified a clear lack of consistency across meeting venues in terms of connectivity.

 

“Officers are considering the current options, both in terms of online participation and webcasting, across the council’s meeting venues and what would be required in order to facilitate those requirements.”