Meetings to continue being held online?

Could online council meetings become the norm rather than something to turn to in an emergency?

The suggestion – along with the environmental and financial benefits it could bring – was mooted during a West Sussex County Council scrutiny committee meeting on June 24.

Roger Oakley (Con, Worthing East) said: “What we’ve done seems to work very well. Can we use it again in the future whether or not we have any problems like Covid?”

Members pointed out not having to drive to County Hall and back meant fewer cars on the road, they were making better use of their time, and none were claiming lunch expenses.

Louise Goldsmith (Con, Chichester West) asked chairman Andrew BarrettMiles (Con, Burgess Hill North) to write to both the governance committee and the democratic services team to ask them to look into the idea.