COUNCILLORS at Cheshire East could still be holding virtual meetings after the coronavirus pandemic is over.

All the council's committee meetings are currently being held on Microsoft Teams with recordings made available to the public on YouTube.

But a move to stick on a virtual platform is being suggested because of environmental concern over reducing pollution and increasing efficiency.

Cllr Amanda Stott, Cheshire East Cabinet member whose responsibilities include IT, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "The Local Government Association has been asked to lobby the government to retain the regulations, so as to enable local authorities to continue to hold formal virtual public meetings without any time limit."

The Independent representative said the move was prompted by a variety of benefits seen by CEC, including cutting the amount of driving staff and councillors have to undertake.

Cllr Stott added: "[At the outbreak of Covid-19] the council faced significant challenges as it was only part-way through a programme of upgrading its ICT infrastructure.

"New laptop computers were yet to be provided to the council's 81 members and to democratic services staff, who would be central to the provision of new arrangements.

"The council, therefore, faced stark choices. But it was clear from a perspective of democratic accountability that elected members expected to continue to be at the heart of the organisation's decision-making and scrutiny process, rather than delegate powers to the chief executive and senior officers.

"This necessitated a major acceleration of the ICT infrastructure programme and the rapid provision of the necessary technology and updated computer operating system to more than 116 members and officers, along with the provision of 'virtual' support and training.

"I am really proud of the way that our ICT teams have overcome significant technical challenges and time pressures to enable and support effective virtual council meetings during this pandemic. It has been truly impressive."

Despite the challenges of adopting a new online workflow, Cheshire East held its first full council meeting online last month.

Leader Cllr Sam Corcoran commented: "We have now successfully held our first virtual meeting of full council, involving 81 elected members – something that could barely have been imagined at the start of this year and of which, our staff and members should be incredibly proud."