Virtual Meetings to Continue for Lichfield District Council

Motion calls for online meetings to continue due to coronavirus crisis will be put to Lichfield District Council on 13th of October.

14:24 07 October 2020

Lichfield District Council's online meetings are expected to continue beyond the current coronavirus crisis. 

 

Cllr Diane Evans, deputy leader of the Labour opposition group, will put the motion at a meeting on 13th October. She said: “This council commends the work of the officers to support the transition of council and committee meetings to an online format in the face of social distancing restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

 

“This council further understands that the use of new technology represents an opportunity for current and future elected representatives to engage a wider audience in its work, including parents or guardians with young children, commuters, shift workers and those with mobility problems.

 

“This council resolves to continue the use of virtual meetings while social distancing restrictions remain in place and to actively consider ways of integrating video conferencing and the online streaming of council and committee meetings when restrictions are lifted, so that it can continue to engage with the wider community.” 

 

Cllr Doug Pullen, leader of the council, said that online meetings would encourage a more diverse group of people to consider standing at elections. Meanwhile, Cllr Steve Norman, leader of the Labour group at Lichfield District Council, believes that online meetings will continue even after the coronavirus crisis. 

 

He said: “While there has been some resistance to holding virtual meetings in some quarters it is believed a number will continue even after coronavirus restrictions have been lifted.

 

“It is hoped that this may encourage people to stand for election who have been reluctant or felt intimidated in the past by the difficulty in getting to meetings because of their caring responsibilities.”