Weymouth Town Council defies government online meeting rules
The High Court ruled remote meetings cannot continue after May 6th
Weymouth Town Council are 'disappointed' the Government aren't extending the emergency legislation allowing them to hold virtual decision-making meetings.
The Council feel online meetings are safer, as it would be impossible to socially distance in the Council Chamber with all 29 Councillors, five officers and members of the public.
During the Coronavirus pandemic, meetings were moved online and livestreamed on their Facebook Page.
It was an emergency legislation put in place by the Government to allow Councillors to meet remotely while discussing local matters.
A Spokesperson from Weymouth Town Council said:
"The Council considered options and decided to agree a temporary scheme of delegation, backed up by public meetings to enable residents to see local issues and projects debated.
"Delegating official decision making is a formality that will allow virtual council meetings to continue. Virtual meetings have seen an increase in engagement from residents and it's felt that a return to face-to-face meetings could exclude councillors or members of the public who aren't able to attend, or whose health might be especially at risk.
"A scheme of delegation has always existed at the council and this is a temporary amendment for a maximum of six months. Members are able to agree that the delegation should stop at any time and recommend to the Town Clerk that the temporary amendment is deleted.
"In this instance, all decision making would immediately revert back to the Committees and Full Council in face-to-face meetings."
The Town Council hope to offer a hybrid approach when Councillors make the decision to return to face-to face-meetings.
That will allow residents and other members to have the choice to join in person or virtually.