Calderdale virual meetings could continue after the pandemic

Calderdale Council’s Strategy and Performance Scrutiny Board members heard the council’s Head of Democratic and Partnership Services, Ian Hughes, say the enforced move to virtual committee and scrutiny meetings had been a success.

“If you had said to me back in March that almost overnight there would be a cultural shift, I would have said it would need 18 months to two years to get right.

“You did it overnight,” he said.

Mr Hughes said he believed the system has worked “amazingly well”, provided members with the opportunity to discuss and comment on issues, without affecting the quality of debate.

However a “cliff edge” was approaching as holding meetings virtually would have to cease unless legislation allowing them to be held this way during the pandemic was renewed by the Government, said Mr Hughes.

Board chairman Coun Paul Bellenger (Lib Dem, Greetland and Stainland) asked: “Has it led to increased transparency, better work-life balance and are there longer term impacts?” he said.

Mr Hughes said one advantage for the public was that people were used to technology and contributing to meetings using it was a method they preferred to standing up to speak in a room full of people.

Councillors heard people could also watch meetings – these are screened on the council’s YouTube channel – using their technology without having to travel from thir home.

Coun Bellenger said: “I think it allows more transparency, more accessibility for people, rather than coming into the Town Hall.”

Coun George Robinson (Con, Hipperholme and Lightcliffe) said conducting business using technology should continue.

“It is such a progressive thing and we really do need to carry on,” he said. He suggested the panel recommend the council write to Government urging the temporary arrangeents be made permanent.

Coun Mohammad Naeem (Lab, Park) said both in-person and technological means of participation should be pursued in tandem, giving people a choice of how to engage and Coun Victoria Porritt (Lab, Elland) agreed a “blended” approach would be “fantastic.”