Zooming to meetings does not suit all of us, say elected members
Councillors call on return to HQ for committees
Since the middle of March, Renfrewshire’s councillors have been getting used to communicating with each other in a whole new way.
They’ve faced battles with the mute button, fought with the chat feature to get their questions in and cursed the wind every time their internet connection dropped out.
In a regular year, following the summer recess, the region’s elected members would now be preparing to return to the chamber in a couple of weeks, ready to engage in often heated debates with the press and public watching on.
But as the Covid-19 pandemic rumbles on, councillors are currently facing a future of much more of these recorded video conferences - something they’ve all got differing views on.
There’s unanimous agreement that virtual meetings have been absolutely necessary since the outbreak hit the UK, to protect everyone from the deadly coronavirus and, across all parties, politicians have been grateful governance and scrutiny of the council has managed to continue throughout the crisis in some form.
But now many are pining for a return to normality and face-to-face meetings, where constituents and journalists can observe proceedings as they unfold, rather than watching back a recording.
“Virtual platforms are not suitable for council meetings,” said Labour group leader Eddie Devine.
“It is not possible to debate in any consistent way and the chair cannot control the running order like they can face-to-face.
“Most of the time, points need to be expanded upon and that is impossible with 43 councillors trying to get their views heard in a sometimes heated debate.
“I would like to begin face- to- face meetings as soon as possible.
“Th e re a re ways to meet if parties can agree on procedures.”
Conservative group head James MacLaren added: “My internet at home quite often goes down for no apparent reason.
“The full council and policy boards were open to the public when in the chamber, but by having virtual meetings, this facility seems to have been sacrificed.
“This is disappointing.”
However, others feel local authority bosses should be looking at ways they can incorporate the likes of Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google hangouts into council business going forward, creating that “new normal” we’ve all become used to hearing about.
“We should be looking at virtual or hybrid meetings where those who are shielding or need to travel further into the council have the option of accessing the meeting electronically,” said Kenny MacLaren, SNP councillor for Paisley Northwest.
“The outbreak has shown the majority of council work can be done from home so there shouldn’t be a problem with continuing this way.”
Eileen McCartin, Liberal Democrat member for Paisley Southwest, added: “Virtual meetings have been helpful during these difficult times.
“The council should look hard at how this experience could work in the long run.
“There are times when face- to- face meetings are important, but it may be some could be cut back.”
When coronavirus took hold in Scotland, all regular committee meetings were called off, with only the emergencies board convening, initially once a week and now just once a fortnight.
The only other meeting which has taken place was a heavily reduced full council, with less than half of elected members invited to attend as bosses grappled with the prospect of technology failing.
It has meant some councillors have not yet had to take part in a video conference, but even those politicians have been forming their opinions on arrangements as they prepare to fire up the webcam for the first time for a full cycle of meetings in August and September.
Bill Binks, who represents Johnstone North and surrounding villages, said: “There does seem to be a use for virtual meetings, particularly if the numbers present are small, but it was a washout for the full council meeting.
“The elected members were not balanced proportionately and as such, other than group leaders, the meetings did not allow for comment from members who were not present.”
Renfrewshire Council has said a report will be taken to a full council meeting on September 24 to outline future arrangements.
A council spokesman said: “We recognise the importance of ensuring appropriate scrutiny of council business and have provided support to our elected members to access and use the new technology effectively, while all meetings are recorded and published on the council website as soon as possible.
“At the council meeting on June 25, councillors agreed to expand membership and continue the emergencies board fortnightly during the summer recess period, while the normal diet of council boards return in August, held as virtual meetings.
“A report will be taken to the 24 September council meeting to outline arrangements from then on, informed by the latest available guidance.”
Points need to be expanded on and that is impossible with 43 councillors trying to get their views heard