How cabinet comes into the kitchen... or living room
Democracy - like all other aspects of public life - is quickly having to adapt to the realities of lockdown by embracing modern technology.
The worldwide Coronavirus pandemic has, out of necessity, dragged the age old system of government to the 21st century, with authorities across North Wales being no exception.
Legislation recently passed by the Welsh Government has seen Zoom and Microsoft Teams meetings replace traditional gatherings at town halls and council chambers as administrations get to grips with the new reality.
Last week saw Gwynedd become the first North Wales authority to hold a formal meeting online as the Cabinet met to discuss its response to the Covid-19 emergency.
Other authorities, including Anglesey, are also tentatively pencilling in future meetings online, with the timescale of a return to the traditional council chamber being anyone’s guess.
Cllr Nia Jeffreys, the portfolio holder for corporate support, described the return to public meetings as “a step forward towards normality,” adding that it “went well” with no apparent glitches.
“Like everyone, councillors are adapting to new and innovative ways of working,” she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
“Even in these most difficult times I believe it is vitally important that the public can keep in touch with decisions made by the council, and the cabinet meeting was a step towards ensuing this.
“It was also our chance to say a big heartfelt thank you to the brilliant council staff who have adapted so quickly and without complaint to new ways of working and providing services.”
She added that it was vital to make it clear that the council is still operating, including child protection teams, carers and services for children and young people.
“Everyone from teachers, refuse workers, customer service staff have worked hard to play their part in keeping the show on the road,” Cllr Jeffreys concluded.
Thursday saw Pwllheli Town Council hold its monthly full meeting over the popular ‘Zoom’ platform, where topics included the future of the town’s upkeep and maintenance as the lockdown continues.
Cllr Eric Wyn Roberts, the town’s mayor, said that the experiment worked better than anyone would have hoped, and looked to be here to stay for as long as the uncertainty continues.