Commentary on Sections Part 1 – Strengthening local democracy Section 4 – Remote attendance at meetings
14.Has the effect of expanding a reference in any enactment (including contained in the Measure and in subordinate legislation) to a meeting of a local authority to include members of a local authority who are in remote attendance providing all the conditions, which are set out in subsection (3) are met.
15.The standing orders of a local authority must ensure that, in effect, the number of members in actual attendance (i.e. who is attending the meeting at the place where the meeting is held) are greater in number that those in remote attendance. In addition, the local authority may make other standing orders about remote attendance.
16.The change is intended to introduce more flexibility for meeting arrangements to accommodate the needs of councillors from more diverse backgrounds.
17.Local authorities must have regard to guidance which the Welsh Ministers may issue on remote attendance.