England’s largest council backs remote meetings plan

North Yorkshire Council, being the largest geographical council in England, has backed proposals to allow councillors to participate and vote in key meetings remotely. This move is aimed at providing flexibility and reducing travel time, costs, and carbon emissions.

However, the council has stopped short of supporting proxy voting, emphasizing that decision-makers should be present, either physically or remotely, to hear arguments before making decisions.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, North Yorkshire Council suggested up to half of its members could choose to attend council meetings remotely over a year, but that it recognised it was important to hold some meetings in person

It said: “This council values physical presence for the majority of meetings but does not consider central government should mandate how physical and remote meetings should be handled.

“It was noted during lockdown that having informal remote meetings was extremely helpful and in the future, it would be beneficial if those remote meetings could make binding decisions.”

It added: “Having the flexibility for members to attend remotely would be a very welcome option for this Council which is the geographically largest in the country.

“Allowing remote meetings in appropriate circumstances can reduce mileage, travel time, costs and reduce carbon emissions.”