Virtual meetings could continue after the pandemic passes, says Harrogate council leader

And Coun Richard Cooper is urging businesses in the district to do the same to cut emissions from unnecessary car journeys.

It comes after meetings of committees, full council and cabinet were suspended when the government’s stay at home instructions were introduced in March.

But after legislation was changed to make virtual meetings possible, the council held its first on May 6.

"The cabinet meeting involved seven councillors and many officers. It is a relatively small committee", Coun Cooper said.

"The councillors would have travelled in to Harrogate from Ripon, Pateley Bridge, Spofforth and Knaresborough. We should be thinking about how we can use this technology to stop car journeys, reduce traffic jams and cut carbon emissions.

"It is something every business should be looking at."

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In February, councillors voted against an idea to live stream meetings online.

They said it would have been too expensive after estimating it would not attract a large audience of viewers.

Coun Cooper said that decision could now be revisited - but only if audience numbers stay high after lockdown is lifted.

The council's first virtual meeting averaged around 60 live viewers and has since been played back almost 700 times.

"I don’t think that the viewing figures indicate too much yet but a picture will develop over time," Coun Cooper said.

“The real test will come in a couple of months time when it isn’t something new and when we aren’t all locked down in our houses. If people are still tuning in live and viewing the recording in large-ish numbers afterwards then that will give a proper indication of public interest."

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Coun Pat Marsh, Lib Dem leader at Harrogate Borough Council, accused Conservative councillors of "show-boating" during the first virtual meeting.

She said it lasted much longer than usual "because for the first time they were open to public scrutiny."

Speaking afterwards, Coun Marsh said: "Now I don't criticise the way last night's meeting was done and the content, quite the opposite I hope that this is the way all future, normal, meetings are conducted.

"We can only hope that they have seen the light and will continue on in the same vein and not be afraid of live streaming in the future."

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter

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