Meetings such as cabinet and planning committees had to be cancelled after the Government imposed lockdown restrictions to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
As part of the Coronavirus Act 2020 the Government has given permission to councils to hold virtual meetings so important decisions can be discussed and made public during the lockdown.
Swale’s first such meeting is set to take place on Wednesday, 22nd April, when cabinet will discuss issues such as CCTV, new toilets for Minster Leas and the council’s response to climate change.
This will be followed by a virtual meeting of the planning committee on Thursday, 30th April.
Leader of the council, Cllr Roger Truelove, said:
“The coronavirus outbreak has meant we have all had to adapt to new ways of living and working so we can keep ourselves, and each other, safe.
Here at the council, officers have adapted remarkably well to remote working, and now the government has made it possible for us to legally resume council meetings online.
Elected members have a responsibility to represent their residents - and important decisions still need to be taken about our services.
We have been looking at ways in which we can resume meetings in public so members and officers can discuss proposals while observing social distancing.
This will help improve our ability to get back to normal once the lockdown is lifted.
However, to get to that stage means we must continue to observe the rules on staying at home, social distancing and self-isolating where required.”
The meetings will be held via Skype. Members of the public and the press who want to attend the Cabinet meeting virtually should email their details to democraticservices@swale.gov.uk, or call 01795 417330, by 4:00pm on Tuesday 21st April 2020. They will then be sent joining instructions for the meeting.
Swale Borough Council
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