Lawyers and democratic services officers to seek court declaration on ability to hold remote meetings after 6 May 2021

ADSO (the Association of Democratic Services Officers) and LLG (Lawyers in Local Government) have begun preparations to seek a declaration from the courts that pre-existing legislation means remote attendance at meetings can continue beyond 6 May 2021.

The move comes after the two organisations recently obtained counsel’s opinion from James Strachan QC of 39 Essex Chambers in relation to the expiry of the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations (No.392) and the ability to continue to hold council meetings remotely past 6 May 2021.

LLG and ADSO have consistently called for the ability of English councils to hold remote meetings to be made permanent.

However, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, has said that whilst accepting that the provision had been successful, he had no plans to extend the date as it required primary legislation and there was no vehicle to do that in time for May.

The Minister added that whilst it was not possible at the moment, if there was an opportunity to make it more permanent, he would take it.

ADSO and LLG said that “with the intention of seeking a way to assist the Secretary of State", they had asked the question whether a change in primary legislation was actually required.

To that end, counsel’s opinion was obtained on the current legislation together with the options available which do not require primary legislation or indeed, legislation of any kind.

The two organisations summarised Mr Strachan’s advice as follows:

(1) There are forceful arguments that can be made that the pre-existing legislation governing local authority meetings under Schedule 12 of the Local Government 1972 Act, and meetings of an executive or a committee of an executive under the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, enable local authorities to hold meetings remotely.

(2) For the present situation to continue after 7 May 2021 with the use of remote meetings, the optimum position would be for further legislation to be passed to make the position clear.

(3) In the absence of such legislation, one resolution would be to obtain a declaration from the courts to obtain clarity as to the legal position under the pre-existing legislation.

(4) The Secretary of State does have (a) power under section 16 of the 1999 Act to make an Order to modify or disapply those restrictions for best value authorities and (b) power under the 2000 Act to make regulations governing executive decision-making bodies to hold remote meetings.

ADSO and LLG said they would now prepare to seek a declaration from the courts that the pre-existing legislation governing local authority meetings under Schedule 12 of the 1972 Act, and meetings of an executive or a committee of an executive under the 2012 Regulations, can be held remotely in the way that has been specifically authorised by the Coronavirus Act 2020 and the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020.

Quentin Baker, LLG President said: “Back in March 2020 local authorities quickly adapted their procedures to enable democratic decision making to continue through the remote attendance at meetings of councillors, officers and the public.

“Over the past year the benefits of having the option to attend remotely have been clearly demonstrated through increased participation and reductions in travel time. The prospect of reverting in May to meetings without the option of remote attendance is concerning due to the likely ongoing heightened Covid risk and also because the option is valued by many councillors and residents alike. Councils should have local choice and local flexibility. Through our proposed action with ADSO colleagues to seek a Declaration we hope to enable a straightforward solution to this problem.“

John Austin, ADSO Chair said: “Through the hard work of local authorities, remote meetings have been a success. Apart from the important public health issues, they have brought many benefits, including reduced travel to meetings, cost savings, increased participation in the democratic process and equality of access to meetings. ADSO and LLG wish to work collaboratively with the Secretary of State to find a solution to give councils the option of holding such meetings beyond 7 May.”