SOME Dorset councillors say they will not be forced back into council offices when the Government rules change on May 7.

Dorset Council has said that even if it has to hold meetings in person, as the Government expects, there will not be room for all councillors, officers, public and press to meet safely, either for full council meetings, or most committees.

Instead the authority is investigating holding fewer meetings and delegating more decision making to a handful of cabinet members, or senior council officers, where its powers allow.

Talks are being held today (Wednesday 14th) between the political group leaders to find a way ahead.

Largest opposition group leader Cllr Nick Ireland from the Liberal Democrats has described the Government’s insistence that council meetings should resume in person as “completely nuts.”

He says that many of his group have said that will not attend any physical meetings until they have had both of their jabs.

“Several are shielding for personal reasons – they won’t be attending anything in person for a long time,” he said.

Independent group leader Cllr Les Fry says he would rather see virtual meetings held for another year with a phasing in of physical meetings from September, if safe to do so.

“I appreciate that the Government are not stopping virtual meetings, just that the legislation runs out on the May 7th. Complete madness not to extend for another year and allow councils to gently move back to normality without forcing members into either attending or offering apologies,” he said.

Labour’s only member Portland councillor Paul Kimber says he would prefer a three-month extension to existing arrangements before making any final decisions about a return to ‘normal’ meetings.

Said Green group leader Cllr Clare Sutton:“I think it is shocking that central government is, in effect, dictating ‘a one size fits all’ approach. It seems pretty obvious to me that local councils are best-placed to decide what will work best on their patch, based on a number of factors, including geographical spread and the availability of sufficiently large premises in which to meet.”

In response to a question from the Local Democracy Reporting Service Dorset Council said that is trying to work out the best way to proceed in the light of legislation that enabled councils to hold remote meetings ending on May 7th.

“We are currently working with members to put arrangements in place to ensure that democratic decision making is able to continue effectively and safely whilst social distancing requirements are still in place post May 7th.  Government guidance confirms that where local authority meetings take place in person, the principles set out in the government’s working safely guidance should be followed…  The guidance also suggests that local authorities consider a number of options including:

Use of existing powers to delegate decision making to key individuals such as the Head of Paid Service to minimise the number of meetings held.

Relying on single-member decision making where the constitutions allows.

Continuing to provide remote access for members of the public until, at least, 21 June.

“The occupancy of the meetings rooms in the Dorset Council estate is very limited whilst Covid secure arrangements are in place, and realistically would prohibit face to face meetings where the public and press are also able to be in attendance, and we are currently discussing options with Group Leaders to establish a roadmap back to in person meetings.

“However the council decides to proceed, it is essential that we take into account the democratic implications and ensure that decision making is transparent, that local residents are appropriately represented, and that all local authority decisions have appropriate scrutiny.”