Aberdeenshire Council Virtual Meetings Extension

North-east council may host online meetings using video technology until January 2021.

02:57 21 September 2020

North-east councillors will continue to host virtual meetings until January 2021 if their recommendations are approved by the Aberdeenshire Council. 

 

The local authority has been hosting virtual meetings over Skype since the Covid-19 pandemic started in accordance with social distancing protocols in place. To date, they have held four full meetings and 65 other committee meetings. Besides helping prevent the further spread of the coronavirus, the virtual meetings have helped the council save £7,000 on printing costs and another £3,000 on postage. There was also an 81per cent drop in travel expenses claims. 

 

Members of the Aberdeenshire Council are expected to approve the request to continue virtual meetings until January when it might be safer for all parties involved. 

 

A report said: "It is proposed that political decision making continues to be done remotely for the remainder of 2020 with a review at full council on January 14. 

 

"This report has highlighted many of the benefits of retaining virtual meetings including the reduction of time, travel and some costs."