Agenda item - Arrangements for Council and Committee Meetings

Report of the Executive Director for Governance, People & Resources.

97.1    Councillor Mac Cafferty introduced the report.

97.2    The Monitoring officer noted that there were two Appendix 1 in the report and confirmed that the one shown on pages 129 and 130 of the agenda was superfluous and had been included incorrectly, and the one shown on page 131 was the Appendix 1 relevant to this report.

97.3    Councillor Barnett said that the Conservative Group could not support the report which continued to restrict council meetings and kept the public away from the Council Chamber and Hove Town Hall. This was unfair for residents who had a right to visit the council in person, and the remote services being provided were inferior and failing in many areas. The rest of the city was back to work, and the Council should be setting an example and return to Hove Town Hall.

97.4    Councillor Evans noted that despite most people being vaccinated there were over 16,000 people in hospital with Covid last week, over 1,100 had died, and a fellow Councillor was currently very ill with long-covid. In light of this measures still needed to be taken to protect the public, the NHS and ourselves

97.5    Councillor Fishleigh said that Hove Town Hall was one of the few places which did not take peoples temperatures and suggested that that be introduced.

97.6    Councillor Janio said that perpetuating lockdowns and mask wearing was preventing the natural selection of the virus, which was increasing the length of time the virulent strains remained. Councillors should therefore do their bit, and remove their masks, re-open the council buildings and set an example to the city.

97.7    RESOLVED: That Council agreed –

(i)             That the arrangements set out in the draft protocol attached in the Appendix be agreed and come into effect immediately after annual Council on 26th May 2022;

(ii)            That the said arrangements come cease to have effect immediately after the full Council meeting on 21st July unless full Council agrees different arrangements before that day;

(iii)          That the Chief Executive be granted delegated powers to modify the requirement regarding the wearing of masks and need for a lateral flow test ahead of Council or committee meetings if, following consultation with Group Leaders, he considers it appropriate.