Local government groups renew calls for legislation on remote council meetings

The Digital Democracy Partnership (DDP) has written to the Government urging it to introduce legislation for remote meetings in the next parliamentary session, according to an online post published by LLG on Thursday (30 April).

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) previously confirmed plans to introduce remote meeting legislation in a consultation response published in June 2025.

In the consultation foreword, the Government described the attendance of elected members at meetings as a “core part” of the democratic process, but noted that there “are circumstances in which it may not always be possible for members to attend council meetings in person”.

However, almost a year on from publishing its response, the Government has yet to introduce legislation to support provision for remote meetings.

The delay was initially highlighted by the DDP in October last year when it voiced concern over the absence of remote or hybrid meeting provision in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which received royal assent this week.

At the time, the group described the omission as a “serious missed opportunity”.

Commenting on the delay again this week, LLG said: "It's been five years since LLG and the Association of Democratic Services Officers brought the High Court JR, which attempted to enable remote provision post covid for authorities in council meetings.

"Now, the Digital Democracy Partnership, a group of local government organisations of which LLG is a member have written to the Government to highlight the need to take the opportunity of the next parliamentary session to prioritise legislation on remote attendance at council meetings and reform to the councillor standards regime.

"Eyes firmly on the King's Speech."

The King’s Speech is scheduled to take place on 13 May.

The DDP comprises the Society of Local Council Clerks, the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny, the Association of Democratic Services Officers, the AMO (Association of Monitoring Officers), the National Association of Local Councils, and the Society for Innovation, Technology and Modernisation.

Adam Carey