Virtual Calderdale cabinet meeting to be held as leaders make key decisions

At the start of April Government passed legislation allowing councils to conduct their business in virtual form.

Some key Calderdale Council meetings have been webcasted since December 2017, including Full Council, Cabinet and Planning Committee, but during the coronavirus crisis new ways of doing this and restarting other boards and panels are having to be examined.

Leader of Calderdale Council, Coun Tim Swift said a “virtual” Cabinet meeting would be held from 6pm on Monday, April 27, which will be streamed live through the council’s YouTube channel.

The public can submit questions – they are normally allowed to ask these in a session at the start of the meeting – but these must be submitted in advance by emailing [email protected] before 2pm on the day of the meeting.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader Coun James Baker (Warley) had written to Coun Swift urging that meetings, including scrutiny panels, should be resumed following the Government’s making the necessary legislative changes.

“I appreciate why decisions to suspend or stop meetings was made, but there is now legislation in place to facilitate remote meetings.

“With this in place it would now be possible to enable the the return of some scrutiny meetings.

“At a time where decisions can have such a major life or death impact, I believe it is just as important as ever that democratically elected members are able to challenge and question decisions,” he said.

Coun Swift (Lab, Town) said ways of holding the council’s meetings was being looked at.

“It’s vital that local democracy continues throughout the pandemic as there are important decisions that we must take as a council to effectively manage our response to COVID-19.

“We must all continue to follow the Government’s guidelines on social distancing and avoid unnecessary travel.

“However it is also important that these meetings are, as always, held in public,” he said.

Coun Swift said the Cabinet, Elected Members and Officers will participate as normal but via Zoom at the April 27 Cabinet meeting and the public could submit questions before the deadline via the email address given.

“I, or the relevant Cabinet member, will answer the question during the meeting, or provide a written response to the questioner where this is not possible,” he said.

Ways of holding other meetings in virtual form and with public access were being considered.

“We are exploring options for holding a Full Council meeting and restarting scrutiny meetings, as well as Licensing and Planning committees, and will provide further details on this when they are confirmed,” said Coun Swift.