The postponed Isle of Wight Council cabinet meeting is expected to go ahead this evening (Monday) despite 3 cabinet members — a third of all those on the committee — testing positive for COVID.
The meeting was originally set to take place nearly 2 weeks ago but was rescheduled at the eleventh hour, following a positive lateral flow test.
Speaking at the time, the council’s chief executive, John Metcalfe, said the precautionary decision was not made lightly.
Now, Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox, leader of the Isle of Wight Council, said 3 cabinet members, out of a possible 8, have tested positive for COVID-19 and are isolating.
Cllr Peacey-Wilcox said it is hoped those isolating will be able to join the meeting virtually to add to discussions, so long as technology is working with them and not against them.
If cabinet members attend virtually, however, they are unable to vote. Only those at County Hall will have a vote because the government did not renew specially introduced legislation that allowed decisions to be made by councillors attending meetings by video link.
Final checks were being carried out this morning, said Cllr Peacey-Wilcox, to ensure the top Isle of Wight councillors were okay and safe to take part in the meeting.
Council meetings resumed in person in May with social distancing measures in place, although they started to lessen in recent months.
Decisions made tonight could see important ticket items concluded, including the potential approval of the Ryde Interchange transport scheme, which is already on a ‘very tight timeframe’.
And they tell us to be careful ?????
Hands face and space fresh air ?????
Glad to see the council are showing the public the best ways on keeping safe from the virus.
Or are they using it as an excuse not to attend as it is half-term.
Typical, do what they want, how they want and stuff the rest of us. This lot are worse than ‘ol pugwash’s regime.
enough of the covid excuse.get on zoom