Return of face-to-face meetings

Residents may or may not be aware that legislation permitting Local Councils to hold meetings remotely expirede on May 7th 2021, and after this point all Council meetings must be “face-to-face”. Despite valiant efforts from Hertfordshire County Council, Lawyers in Local Government, and the Association of Democratic Services Officers, a recent High Court ruling has dismissed claims that other legislation already permits council meetings to be held remotely. As it is an election year, local councils in Shropshire (including Pontesbury Parish Council) are therefore legally obliged to hold an “in-person” Annual Council meeting within a set number of days after the election on Thurs 6th May 2021.

Annual Council Meeting arrangements in Pontesbury

In order to meet the legal obligation to hold an annual council meeting in-person, the Parish Council has decided to hold a short in-person Annual Council Meeting in Pontesbury Public Hall on Monday 17th May 2021 at 7.30pm. To keep the meeting short to minimise the risk of transmission, the agenda will only include items that must legally be considered at the annual meeting, or that are otherwise urgent. If you have any questions or matters you wish to raise with the Parish Council prior to the Annual Council meeting, please telephone (01691 661157) or email clerk@pontesburypc.org.uk asap. We will note any such matters raised, and will send a response after the meeting. If urgent action is required, the Parish Council is able to delegate authority to make decisions.

Can members of the public attend the Annual Council meeting?

Whilst all Council meetings must be held face-to-face from 7th May, there will still be limits on how members of the public can gather and mix indoors. As the safety of residents, councillors, and staff is of the utmost importance, we are working closely with Pontesbury Public Hall committee to prepare the risk assessments and covid secure measures for the face-to-face meeting, but there will be necessary capacity limits in the Public Hall to allow for social distancing between councillors, staff, and any attendees (max 25 people, including councillors and clerk). To further minimise the risk of transmission, and to avoid having to turn people away at the door, we would urge residents to carefully consider whether they need to attend this meeting in person and if possible email your question or telephone the Parish Clerk as detailed above. If you still feel you need to attend the meeting in person, please telephone (01691 661157) or email the clerk asap, so we can discuss how we can accommodate you safely.