Many will remember the famous Jackie weaver council meeting played out live on screen and making national and international headlines, thanks to the virtual meetings councils had been permitted to hold during the pandemic through temporary changes to legislation.
Locally Penrith Town Council and the former Eden Council held remote meetings during the pandemic that although not upto the Jackie Weaver level delivered some eyebrow raising moments and some dodgy backgrounds as heads vanished and the family your on mute chorus echoed as more people than ever observed the inner workings of the councils and meetings from the comfort of their own homes.
Government has now confirmed plans for what has been called a momentous game changer decision to amend legislation, allowing local authorities including parish and town councils to hold remote and hybrid meetings once again.
The move is seen as a victory for councils including parish and town councils following persistent campaigning for the change in legislation including by some local town and parish councils in Cumbria and current and former local MP’s.
Since the expiration of temporary COVID-19 provisions in May 2021, which permitted virtual council meetings, a campaign and legal action to try to restore the flexibility of online meetings for councils has been underway.
With the case made that enabling remote attendance would modernise local democracy, enhance accessibility, and attract a more diverse range of individuals to stand as councillors.
The government carried out a consultation in October 2024, which received 5,844 responses with the vast majority coming from the 3,327 parish and town councils, The survey revealed overwhelming support for remote meeting options. In the last 24 hours government have issued their response and acknowledged the need for councils to develop their own remote and hybrid attendance policies tailored to local circumstances.
The development marks a significant step forward in modernising local governance and enable councils to operate effectively and inclusively in the digital age.
Minister for Local Government and English Devolution Jim McMahon said: “In the spirit of resetting our relationship with local government, we want to ensure that local authorities can develop their own remote and hybrid attendance policies, with local knowledge, and to respond to local need.
“Local authorities vary in size, location, responsibility, and makeup, and we want to ensure that they can develop appropriately responsive policies. When elected members cannot attend even remotely, we aim for proxy voting schemes to provide local authorities and members with additional support.”
Responding to the announcement, Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the Local Government Association, said: “Giving local government the flexibility to allow councillors to attend council meetings remotely, if they wish to, is a positive step, giving councils the power to create arrangements that work best for them and their communities.
“In-person attendance remains important, but it must be balanced against the advantages remote attendance can provide in removing barriers to participating in the democratic process.
“We’re pleased that the Government recognises that councils should be trusted to set out the arrangements and decide for themselves how best to use this flexibility.”
Cllr Keith Stevens the chair of NALC Said “This is a pivotal moment for grassroots democracy. Allowing remote meetings gives parish and town councils the tools to engage more people, particularly those with caring responsibilities, disabilities, or work commitments. It's about making local government truly local and truly accessible.”
A government spokesperson said “The government is of the view that in-person authority meetings remain vital for local democracy, but that hybrid and remote attendance, and proxy voting, will enable local authorities in England to develop more modern, accessible, and flexible working practices.”
“We have carefully considered arguments for and against remote attendance and proxy voting, and we plan to legislate to support permanent provision in relation to both policies, when parliamentary time allows.”
“On remote attendance, we plan to permit local authorities to develop their own locally appropriate policies, if they decide to hold remote meetings.”
“On proxy voting, we plan to require principal (unitary, upper and second-tier) councils to implement proxy voting schemes, to provide consistency for members who are absent when they become a new parent, or for serious or long-term illness. We plan for this requirement to apply to meetings of full council. For all other meetings, proxy voting may be used but will not be required, and substitute or pairing schemes may be more appropriate. We plan for other local authorities not listed above to be enabled but not required to implement proxy voting schemes, for any of their meetings, in the context of member absences for serious or long-term illness or becoming a new parent.”
“We plan to work collaboratively with the sector to develop clear and supportive guidance in relation to both remote attendance and proxy voting policies.”
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