Mid and East Antrim Council to hold virtual meetings

Alliance Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna has welcomed plans for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to begin meeting virtually in June.
The Braid.The Braid.
The Braid.

Gerardine said  having raised the issue again at the recent party group leaders’ meeting, she was pleased all other parties had fully supported her proposal, which she says, will “maintain ratepayers’ confidence in the decision-making process”.

She also stated it will “continue full openness and transparency in the local authority”.

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Ald Mulvenna added: “I wholeheartedly welcome this move and believe it is now the right time to do this. In these unprecedented times, local government must continue to remain open and accountable to everyone.

“I’m also pleased to see technology has been put in place to live stream these meetings, ensuring everyone has full access to decisions that could affect them – a change Alliance will be hopeful to see retained as we slowly return to the chamber in the future.

“In particular, in today’s current climate, it is essential Mid and East Antrim Council remains open, accessible and transparent in everything it does, and it will be great to see, albeit virtually, all elected councillors back working together again for the better of all our residents.”

Last month, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA outlined provisions put in place to enable each district council to hold meetings remotely in order for business to safely proceed during the coronavirus emergency.

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Regulations make provision to enable councils to hold meetings remotely including by (but not limited to) telephone conferencing, video conferencing, live webcast and live interactive streaming.

The regulations apply to all councils and all council meetings in Northern Ireland,  including committee or sub-committee meetings, executive meetings and joint committees of two or more councils.

Provisions have been made for remote access to local authority meetings by members of the council and the public.

The minister said: “These regulations that my department has put in place will be welcomed by councils as it will enable them to proceed with their democratic business while meeting social distancing requirements.

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“This crisis has required new ways of working for many and these changes will enable councils to make the changes needed to ensure important business continues.”

Councils are also permitted to postpone their annual meeting up to September 30 and to hold other meetings as they consider necessary.

Information which generally has to be made available at council offices must now be made available on council websites.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

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