Isle of Wight councillors will meet in person for the first time in more than 12 months tonight (Wednesday).
During the height of the coronavirus pandemic, temporary UK government legislation meant council committees and other important meetings could take place virtually to keep democracy and public health COVID safe.
That legislation has now come to an end and council meetings are now expected to take place physically rather than virtually.
The first face-to-face meeting of the Isle of Wight Council is the annual Full Council and will take place in the main sports hall at 1Leisure Medina, Newport, at 17:00.
As the first meeting following the local election, it includes the election of a new leader, chairman and vice-chairman.
The easiest and safest way for residents to join and listen to the meeting is still virtually via a live stream. However, there will be room for 50 members of the public to attend on a first-come, first-served basis.
Those who wish to attend should:
• wear a face covering while in the building and during the meeting unless you have an exemption;
• wash your hands before and after the meeting;
• keep a safe social distance from other people when entering and leaving the building and during the meeting.
John Metcalfe, the council’s chief executive, said:
“The last year has thrown many challenges at us, including not being able to meet in person.
“Everyone adapted really well and very quickly to the remote meetings process, which meant we could carry on the work of the council despite the public health situation.
“However it’s now time to return and we’ll be taking that first step back to face-to-face meetings tomorrow, although they will still be very different to meetings pre-pandemic.
“As social distancing will still be in place and numbers restricted, I would encourage members of the public to tune in via the live stream.”
Look’s good for the future when they cannot make a simple decision. All they have to do
is remove this position, we do not need a leader who earns as much as the prime minister
for doing what?
Remove the corruption whilst at it, the other two or three can then remain.