LLG, ADSO and NALC issue guidance on new regulations on virtual meetings

Lawyers in Local Government (LLG), the Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO) and the National Association of Local Councils have produced guidance on the new regulations that give local authorities greater flexibility when it comes to holding meetings.

The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 came into force on Saturday (4 April).

The three organisations said: "The effect of these regulations is to provide as much flexibility as possible to local authorities in organising their meetings going forward. They apply to all types of local authorities plus fire and rescue authorities and combined authorities."

They added that the guidance, which can be viewed here, was an immediate response to the regulations and was based on the information available at the time.

“We are conscious that there are still a number of questions to be answered and we are in dialogue with relevant civil servants to seek more explanation and clarity around certain issues,” they said.

LLG, ADSO and NALC stressed that the guidance did not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon in that capacity.