South Kesteven District Council: Councillors attend meetings by staying at home

By The Editor

3rd Apr 2020 | Local News

Today, Friday 3rd April, South Kesteven District Council will hold its first formal 'virtual' meeting.

Members of the Alcohol and Licensing Committees are expected to use Skype video-conferencing systems to take part in the meetings which begin at 10am this morning.

The convention of holding meetings face-to-face meetings in Grantham has been abandoned for the duration of the current CoronaVirus pandemic.

Most committee meetings have been postponed indefinitely but the planning and licensing committees have statutory functions which must adhere to legal timelines and therefore it is necessary for these committees to continue.

Independent Councillor Ashley Baxter, who represents the Market and West Deeping Ward is pleased that the council is using the technology.

He comments: "While everyone is dismayed at the ongoing Covid19 public health emergency, I am pleased that the council decision-making process is able to continue. I have argued for a long time that it would better if people didn't always ave to drive to Grantham to attend meeting. I hope the council's use of teleconferencing and live-streaming will continue long after the current pandemic has faded away."

Apart from reducing the risk to public health, holding the meetings online also reduces the environmental and financial costs of the meetings while improving accessibility to people who do not have either the time or resources to attend meeting in Grantham.

Coun Baxter continues "My only concern is whether or not committee members are competent in using the remote access technology. I know that some people struggle with technology regardless of their age".

At the Council's cabinet meeting on March 17, Cllr Baxter asked for training to be offered to Councillors but the council Chief Executive's initial response was to say that such training was to be "put on hold now until we come out of the other end of Covid19".

The Council's Leader, Coun Kelham Cooke, later promised to explore the possibility of online training but, as yet, most councillors have received no offer of training in the use of skype or similar technology.

     

New grantham Jobs Section Launched!!
Vacancies updated hourly!!
Click here: grantham jobs

Share:

Related Articles

Lincolnshire County Council has voted in favour. Image credit: LDRS.
Local News

Grantham: Lincolnshire County Council votes in favour of the Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal

Grantham will welcome new and improved crossings. Image credit: Nub News.
Local News

Grantham to welcome new and improved crossings

WIN A £25 AMAZON VOUCHER!!!

To enter just subscribe to our FREE Stockport NubNews Newsletter.
Every subscriber will be automatically entered into our competition.
Deadline 31 March 2024.

Already subscribed? Thank you. Just press X or click here.
By clicking the Subscribe button you agree to our
Privacy Policy and Competition terms and conditions.