Agenda item

There were two questions:-

Virtual meetings

A Member observed that the Regulations governing the ability to hold virtual meetings (introduced as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic) were shortly to expire and requested andupdate on the position. The Assistant Town Clerk advised that consideration was being given to the various scenarios for holding meetings in the event that the Regulations were either extended or not, including hybrid meetings, and would report back to Members with more detail. The Remembrancer added that the Corporation continued to lend its voice to the Local Government Association’s efforts in calling for an extension.

Census

A Member reflected on the potential difficulties faced by those residents who did not have ready access the internet in completing the Census, as well as the prospective impact of Census completion rates on the Corporation’s funding allocations. The Assistant Town Clerk advised that paper forms were made available and undertook to provide information on this to Members following the meeting. A Member, also the Chairman of Finance, took the opportunity to clarify that the Corporation’s funding allocation from central Government would be subject to consideration within the context of the wider Fair Funding Review, adding that the Chamberlain and Town Clerk would be monitoring the position.