It's currently at section 78 of the draft Bill, which went to the Lords today (24 March) and the text of the Bill is here https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/lbill/58-01/110/5801110.pdf. It applies, it seems to all local authorities not just councils at all levels.
Whilst the details of the changes will have to come in the regulations, the wording of what we know suggests that these may cover the requirements to hold meetings – so it's likely to include removal of the requirement to hold the authority's annual meeting before the end of May; and will allow meetings when members do not have to attend in person to join, speak at, vote in or otherwise participate in local authority meetings. They also may cover access to information, public admission and access to meetings, frequency of meetings and places where meetings are held.
More specifically, they refer to the provision for a person to attend, speak at, vote in or otherwise participate without all the persons being together in the same place – so "virtual meetings".
They cover both meetings of a local authority (Council); of the Executive; joint committees; committees and sub-committees and are specifically provided to apply to meetings held before 7 May 2021. Who knows how much the world will have changed by then?
Whilst there is no reference to, for example, the relaxation of the six-month rule under section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, nor to matters that are not currently subject to any delegations, no doubt, however, much of this detail will be in the regulations once they are produced and can be applied once that is known.
So, changes should be coming. The issue is, when? Whilst it is welcome to see these, as they will undoubtedly make life somewhat easier once they are in place, before they come into force local authorities are having to make decisions on a day-to-day basis, without member input as currently required.
Whilst this is not so much of an issue where matters are for the Executive, as the leader can delegate these decisions to an individual member or officer, there is more difficulty in relation to council matters. In these situations, most authorities are sensibly using their existing Urgency and Emergency Powers delegated to the Chief Executive and other officers and are choosing to consult with group leaders about how these will be exercised. Frankly, in the circumstances, there is little else that can practically be done to achieve what has to be done to respond to what is needed in such an unprecedented crisis.
Whilst this works quite well when members are reasonable, and experience is that most members are going to be reasonable in these unprecedented circumstances, there are unfortunately some circumstances where the politics and the members are such that reasonableness is very difficult to achieve for whatever reason.
In these circumstances, authorities may well have to decide that they will resort to doing what they must do in order to do their duties and protect their own interests; and those of their residents. This may mean for example, that decisions that would otherwise be open to scrutiny and inevitable sometimes lengthy delay, are implemented as a matter of urgency; and authorities may reluctantly have to decide, after weighing up all the material factors, and all the risks, that these are exceptional times.
If we can help to advise on any matters, or if a discussion would be helpful, please contact Olwen Brown, Alex Lawrence or Matt Marsh.
Local authorities should be wary of reserving contracts for local suppliers, as recommended by Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 11/20. Other contracting authorities may want to maximise their use of this
Most housing practitioners have perhaps been waiting for this news since the latest lockdown was announced by the Prime Minister on 4 January 2021.
Climate change and biodiversity is an area where significantly faster changes are needed on a global and local basis.
Chris Lloyd Smith, Adrian Leonard and Lisa Whitehouse discuss the planning opportunities available to owners of businesses and how to prepare for unforeseen events.
In their 3rd podcast of the series, Chris Lloyd-Smith and Maria Ramon discuss a number of problems with and difficulties that can arise in mediation and the mechanisms they use to overcome them.
Our previous round-up began by sharing the news that two vaccines had shown very promising test results. Here we are, not even a month later, and the first vaccines have already been administered!
The Covid-19 crisis has demonstrated that there is great resilience and innovation in the housing sector across Greater Manchester, it has also brought shortfalls and other priorities sharply into foc
For part 5 in this series of short podcasts, Chris Lloyd-Smith interviews associate Kadie Bennett on how she has been coping during these unprecedented times.
The first report of Donna Ockenden and her team into the review of maternity services at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust has been published today.
The Family Solutions Group (FSG) recommends a shift away from adversarial family proceedings, to a child-centred, holistic approach to family separation.
To receive invitations to our events, as well as information and articles on legal issues and sector developments that are of interest to you, please sign up to Newsroom.