Wakefield Council 'working through' new virtual meetings laws

The local authority is yet to confirm whether it will take full advantage of the law change, which allows all UK councils to make big decisions over webcam during the coronavirus pandemic.

The legislation was passed by Parliament on Friday.

Previously, business which requires public discussion and voting by local councillors could only be conducted when they were in the same room.

A number of local authorities have already said they will host public meeting virtually.

Last month, Wakefield Council said that planning applications and licensing matters would be decided behind closed doors by officers during the pandemic.

Speaking on Monday, the council's legal adviser, Gillian Marshall, said: "We are working through the latest guidance from Government on how best to implement the new regulations.

"In the meantime, we are ensuring that all urgent Council business is continuing as normal.

"We have extensive Leader, elected member and officer delegations in place so that important decision making can continue."

A total of four public meetings that were due to take place this week, including that of the council's planning committee, have been cancelled.

Local Democracy Reporting Service