CORNWALL Council will continue to hold virtual meetings until at least Christmas and maybe even until the next elections, say the Conservative group – and some have described the current system as undemocratic.

The Council took longer than most to take its meetings online during the lockdown, saying it needed to make sure the technology was in place and secure before it did so. Its first virtual full meeting was held in July.

Now, there are calls to go ’back to normal’ from some members, and the Conservative group on the Council has alleged that with meetings as they are, there is a ’lack of opportunity to challenge or review decisions or proposals put up by the current Liberal Democrats/Independents running the council.’

Conservative group leader Linda Taylor said: “Agendas are cut short, meetings are restricted to four hours and we have seen in some meetings that questions are restricted.

“At a time when so much money is being spent and many important decisions are being taken which will affect all our futures, how can this be correct?”

The matter has now reached the Houses of Parliament and leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg, has urged Cornwall Council to 'get back to normal' following a question raised by Conservative MP for St Austell, Steve Double. Mr Double accused Cornwall Council of 'avoiding scrutiny' by keeping offices shut, and asked the Government for a statement.In response, the Leader of the House of Commons pointed to guidance that allows Cornwall Council to hold meetings in council buildings, as well as stressing the importance of reopening offices. He stated that Cornwall Council should not ‘make lives difficult for democratic accountability’ and get back to more normal working.In September 2019, Liberal Democrat Councillor for St Germans and Landulph Jesse Foot proposed that Cornwall Council be a pilot for remote attendance and voting.

His motion was defeated by just one vote. So does Cllr Foot think the current system is working?

“In my view, the way Cornwall Council is running virtual meetings is as fair and democratic as possible under the circumstances,” he said.

“My motion last year was aimed at providing additional avenues for members to be able to attend and vote at meetings - the intention was to complement the physical with a virtual option, and it had support across the political groups on the council.”

Cllr Foot says that member attendance at virtual meetings has been higher than meetings in person – and that this could be argued to be better for democracy.

“The reduction in costs associated with travel and the positive impacts on the environment are obvious benefits. Time limitations were already placed on speakers at many meetings before C19,” he said.

“This virtual approach has been very effective in conducting council business and continued provision of services to the people of Cornwall.

“Virtual meetings provide a permanent record of many meetings for residents to watch again and scrutinise how members voted on a matter, with no option for secret ballots.

“I miss seeing people face-to-face, but am unconvinced that lack of physical attendance is the problem with running a ’proper democracy’”.

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “The government guidance states that where meetings can be held virtually they should.  Therefore, the decision has been taken to extend virtual meetings for the time being.  This situation will obviously be reviewed  as guidance changes, but with uncertainty as to the impact of the virus over the colder months, and the need to be certain that our response to any changes to Government guidelines does not impede democracy, we will continue to take a safety-first attitude towards our councillors and staff while the Covid-19 crisis continues.”

This policy is in line with neighbouring authorities, including both Devon and Somerset, says Cornwall Council.

The Council was set to meet to discuss a formal report on future ways of working, and the results of a members’ survey, today (Sep 4).

“For those councillors who cannot access meetings from home, we have created a number of socially-distanced desks in the Members’ Library at County Hall which can be booked in advance,” said the Council.