Anger as council votes to outlaw online voting

COUNCILLORS have criticised a move to end voting from home amid claims that holding all meetings in person is not climate-friendly.

South Somerset district council, which held virtual meetings in keeping with government guidelines during the pandemic, is to return to in-person meetings.

But Henry Hobhouse, a Liberal Democrat councillor, said he was horrified by the move. He said they were “not thinking” about the effect this was going to have on fuel use over the next year. “If you don’t like it, either say that you don’t believe in the climate emergency or you will have to seriously look at your consciences,” he said.

While meetings will continue to be live-streamed on Youtube for the benefit of members of the public who are unable to attend the council HQ in person, councillors who attend online will be barred from voting as a result of the move.