Leaders plan virtual cabinet meeting to make key decisions for South Tyneside

Town hall chiefs will hold their first ever ‘virtual meeting’ next week.

Bosses at South Tyneside Council will dial in to a session of the ruling cabinet on Wednesday April 29 from home, due to social distancing rules intended to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The council has not held any public meetings since its last cabinet meeting, in March, but an easing of government rules means they can now stage them remotely.

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Iain Malcolm, the leader of the borough council, said: “The Council is at the forefront of dealing with the challenges raised by the coronavirus and supporting our communities.

“As such, it is critical that decisions can continue to be made in a timely manner.

“Using technology in this way allows us to carry out our vital work while maintaining transparency in the decision-making process.”

The meeting is due to hear an update on the council’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, as well as details of funding for community grants worth more than £1.4 million.

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Other issues however, such as plans to use abandoned coal mines in the borough to generate green energy, will be discussed once the public live feed has been turned off, due to commercial sensitivities.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has said new guidelines on meetings will ensure ‘effective and transparent’ decision-making during the lockdown.

Ministers have left it up to individual councils to decide how voting and debate will take place.

But local authorities have also been told to ensure virtual meetings remain accessible to the public.

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Local Government Secretary, Robert Jenrick MP, said: “Councillors and staff are already doing the right thing by following our advice to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.

“This includes working from home wherever possible, and the new powers to hold meetings virtually will make that easier.

“It’s critical that they continue to provide essential services and find innovative ways to maintain important economic functions they perform like the planning system and they will now be able to do so.”

The cabinet meeting is scheduled to start at 4pm on Wednesday, April 29, and can be accessed at: www.southtyneside.gov.uk/watchcouncilmeetings

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