Local Authority meetings
Local Authorities are being asked to undertake a number of essential and unusual functions in order to manage the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. They are also expected to contribute to local resilience planning for the pandemic through Local Resilience Forums and continue the effective delivery of local services, including planning and licensing. The Act creates a power to make regulations to relax some requirements in relation to Local Authority meetings for a specified period.
	Along with the postponement of elections and by-elections this is intended to increase the Local Authorities’ flexibility over how they can respond and deploy their resources, minimise risks to their continuing conduct of business, and ensure their members and officers can act in accordance with official health guidance.
	The need for these measures arises because meetings may generate significant work that would put a strain on Local Authority resources when such resources might already be stretched or may be used efficiently elsewhere.