Harrow Council to Continue Streaming Meetings

Streaming of public meetings to continue in North-west London councils despite civic centre returns.

18:42 19 May 2021

Councils in north-west London have confirmed plans to continue streaming public meetings due to its positive effect on resident engagement. The announcement follows legislation ordering a return to face-to-face meetings from May 7. 

 

A spokesperson for Brent Council said: “Regulations allowing remote meetings, which were introduced by the government in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, came to an end on May 6.

 

“As a result, since May 7, the council has been holding its statutory committee meetings face-to-face.

 

“However, we will continue to make meetings accessible to the public and encourage observers to tune in via our live webcasts.

 

“The Government is now consulting on councils’ experience of remote meetings, and we will be highlighting the positive impact of remote meetings on democratic accountability, participation and inclusion in our response.”

 

Some meetings in Brent have been held in the civic centre with some councillors present in the chamber and others dialling online. Harrow Council is yet to hold a meeting but has confirmed similar plans going forward. 

 

Many local authorities have raised their concerns about the reintroduction of physical meetings due to safety issues. 

 

Luke Hall, minister of state for regional growth and local government, encourages councils and residents to share their experiences of virtual meetings so the Government can "properly consider whether to make these a permanent option."