NALC secures major victory as the government backs remote council meetings

In a momentous decision, the government has announced plans to amend legislation, allowing local authorities (including parish and town councils) to hold remote and hybrid meetings. This move is a powerful victory for parish and town councils following our persistent advocacy.

Since the expiration of temporary COVID-19 provisions in May 2021, which permitted virtual council meetings, we have been at the forefront of a national campaign to restore this flexibility. We argued that enabling remote attendance would modernise local democracy, enhance accessibility, and attract a more diverse range of individuals to public service.

The government's consultation, which received 5,844 responses (the vast majority coming from the 3,327 parish and town councils), revealed overwhelming support for remote meeting options. In response, the government acknowledged the need for councils to develop their own remote and hybrid attendance policies tailored to local circumstances.

We welcome the government's announcement, emphasising that the flexibility to hold remote meetings would empower parish and town councils to respond more effectively to their communities' needs. However, in response to the consultation last year, we expressed that the introduction of proxy voting would present significant challenges for parish and town councils, including undermining democratic accountability, weakening deliberative decision-making, and creating procedural and ethical difficulties.

The development marks a significant step forward in modernising local governance and ensuring that parish and town councils can operate effectively and inclusively in the digital age.

This is a pivotal moment for grassroots democracy. Allowing remote meetings gives parish and town councils the tools to engage more people, particularly those with caring responsibilities, disabilities, or work commitments. It's about making local government truly local and truly accessible.

Cllr Keith Stevens
NALC chair