WARNDON Village councillors have begun the debate over whether they should continue to hold their meetings virtually in the coming months.

The debate at the latest Warndon Villages parish council meeting mirrors the one currently being held nationally across many local authorities.

Emergency legislation passed by the government only allows councils to hold meetings on online video conferencing until May 6. So at the latest meeting of the authority, held on Monday night on Microsoft Teams, parish councillors were informed that due to the legislation running out prior to their Annual Parish Council Meeting, planned for May 10, and annual parish meeting, originally scheduled for May 20, those meetings would need to be held in person at the authority’s traditional home the Lyppard Hub.

However a legal challenge is currently underway that may resolve that authorities already have the powers needed to continue holding online meetings if they wish, with a ruling expected April 21.

Robyn Norfolk, parish council chairman, asked if that challenge is successful and they have the choice, would councillors prefer to meet face-to-face, or continue virtually.

Councillor Andy Taylor said: “My feeling is no (to face-to-face) on the basis that I still think we should still be minimising contact.

"I prefer face-to-face, but if we can function using virtual meetings until we are further through the recovery from Covid, I think that would be better.

“The relaxation has not gone far enough - we will be sitting there with face masks on talking (to the public) in muffled voices.”

But Councillor Dawn Merriman said: “I tend to agree but on the May 6 we are going through a full election in Covid circumstances. I shall be working that day wearing a mask so I think we have just got to get accustomed to life as we are going to have to live with for the time being. Maybe we have to bite the bullet and do it (face-to-face).”

Councillor Andrew Cross said: “We have the Prime Minister’s guidance asking people to be as responsible as possible, and to relaunch gently. Let’s take small steps.

"Imagine if we had a public meeting and it turned out that was a super spreader event. I think that would be a big risk to our community and to ourselves functioning.”

The chairman said: “It is unfortunate there isn’t enough time in the government calendar to legislate on this. I guess then we need to wait for April 21.”

The previous parish council meeting in March was zoombombed and hijacked, causing significant disruption which was also mentioned during the discussion.

On that Cllr Norfolk added: "I think lesson learned from last meeting.

"I think we just need to be careful we don't let our good manners get away with us."

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