Issue - meetings
Multi-location Meetings and future meetings model- progress report
Meeting: 17/11/2021 - Constitution and Democratic Services Committee (Item 32)
32 Multi-location Meetings and future meetings model- progress report 
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To apprise the committee of current
progress.
Additional documents:
Decision:
That the interim Multi-meetings policy, as detailed in paragraphs 1.07 - 1.12
of the report be adopted until such time as the new Council determined its
own Multi-location meetings policy.
Minutes:
The Head of Democratic Services introduced the report and provided background information and context. He advised that paragraphs 1.07 to 1.12 of the report set out a suggested interim multi-location meetings policy to be considered for adoption until such time as the new Council to be elected in May 2022 determined its own policy. He envisaged that this may not reasonably be until the autumn of 2022.
In response to the comments made by Councillor Mike Peers, Officers provided clarification around the reference to political balance as stated in paragraph 1.08 of the report. Officers commented on the awareness of public perception around political grouping, the location-neutral stance which had been adopted by other local authorities, and the Council’s commitment to broaden diversity and democracy.
In response to the further comments made by Councillor Ted Palmer regarding political balance in section 1.08 of the report, the Chief Officer explained that fair and equal access would be given to all Members who wished to be physically present at meetings of the Council held in the Council Chamber.
Councillor Arnold Woolley asked if the option of electronic voting could be provided at Council’s Zoom meetings to ensure clarity. The Chief Officer spoke in support of the use of on-line voting at remote meetings. The Team Manager – Democratic Services explained that testing of the on-line voting system on Zoom had indicated that further work was required to adapt for use at Council meetings and agreed to take this forward.
The recommendation in the report was moved by Councillor Rob Davies and seconded by Councillor Mike Peers.
RESOLVED:
That the interim Multi-meetings policy, as detailed in paragraphs 1.07 - 1.12
of the report be adopted until such time as the new Council determined its
own Multi-location meetings policy.