Council Leaders write to the Secretary of State asking for online meetings to be reinstated

Council leaders from Warrington Borough Council, Halton Borough Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire East Council have written to the Rt. Hon. Robert Jenrick MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government about their concern for Council meetings to be only held in a physical environment .

The full letter:

Dear Secretary of State,

COUNCIL MEETINGS  

We remain concerned at the Government’s continuing position regarding Council meetings only taking place in a physical environment. Within Cheshire, Warrington and Halton there has been a significant rise in the infection rate mainly caused by the Delta variant. A number of elected members have been contacted by the National ‘Track and Trace’ system and advised to self-isolate. The consequence of this is non-attendance at Council meetings which is not good for democracy and local decision making. We respectfully request that the Government urgently reconsiders its position and reinstates “online” meetings, which have been successful in conducting Council business in an open and transparent manner.

Yours sincerely,

Councillor Russ Bowden
Leader of Warrington Borough Council 

Councillor Louise Gittins

Leader of Cheshire West & Chester Council

Councillor Sam Corcoran  

Leader of Cheshire East Council

Councillor Mike Wharton
Leader of Halton Borough Council