Local Government Association to host focus groups ahead of remote meetings consultation

The Local Government Association (LGA) is seeking councillors and officers to take part in focus groups to discuss the new government consultation on remote attendance and proxy voting at local authority meetings.

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, announced at the LGA conference last month that the Government intends to allow councillors to attend meetings remotely.

A consultation on the proposed changes was launched on the same day.

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”.

“It is with this in mind that the government intends to amend the law to introduce provisions for remote attendance at local authority meetings,” it added.

The LGA is seeking councillors and officers who work with councillors to provide their thoughts during one-hour virtual focus groups.

The focus groups will take place on 11 November, 12 November and 21 November.

Adam Carey