TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC ACCESS TO COUNCIL MEETINGS & COUNCIL WORKING DURING THE CORONA (COVID19) OUTBREAK1
Following the Governments new restrictions due to the pandemic, the normal practice of the Council publically meeting is currently not permitted and all of the scheduled meetings on our website will be held virtually until further notice. We do not know how long these restrictions will be upon us but the welfare of the Public is paramount. It is also necessary to continue with business as usual wherever possible. The new Corona Act came into force on 4th April 2020 and the Council is now permitted to hold meetings virtually. This is new to many on the Council as it will be too many of the public and there may be some teething issues as we get used to this new way of conducting our business but the Council aims to be as transparent as possible.
Agendas and Minutes will continue to be published on our website www.stleonardspc.org.uk
Meetings will be held by using the platform Zoom which the public can access freely on the web.
How to join the meeting:-
The public is welcome to join the meeting as advertised but we ask that you do so with video enabled and your name displayed. Be aware of your surroundings when setting up your screen and ensure before you join the meeting that there is nothing in the background you would not wish to be made public as it may be visible to others.
You should join with your microphone muted until you wish to speak. To do this click on the ‘mute mic’ button at the bottom left of the Zoom screen.
To gain access to the meeting email the Clerk by 9am on the day immediately prior to the meeting day. Email address: clerk@stleonardspc.org.uk an invitation and a password will then be sent to you by email. We recommend that you also email the Clerk with any comments so that they can be circulated prior to the meeting.
Please note that the Clerk will be recording the meetings to facilitate the Minutes only, copies will not be made or used for any other purpose and they will be destroyed once the subsequent meeting takes place.
The Chairman will control the meeting and ask the public directly if they have any questions or statements to be made. You will be asked to keep any such comments/questions to 2 minutes and may only speak when asked to do so during the public forum section of the meeting.
Disruptive Behaviour will not be tolerated, anyone behaving in this manner will be excluded from the meeting.
We cannot guarantee the signal or electronic equipment during the meeting.
Draft Minutes will be made available to the public 2 weeks after the meeting date.
Planning Applications: Please ensure that you respond to any consultations direct to Dorset Council via their website and by their deadline as well as copying the Parish Council in.
We regret but during the Governments lockdown, for public safety, the Parish Office will remain closed to the public. All play and gym equipment is closed and out of use. Once things return to normal we shall endeavour to have the facilities open as soon as we are permitted.
Stay well
Ann Jacobs
Clerk to Council
St Leonards & St Ives Parish Council
1 Legal Act: THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND POLICE AND CRIME PANELS (CORONAVIRUS) (FLEXIBILITY OF LOCAL AUTHORITY AND POLICE AND CRIME PANEL MEETINGS) (ENGLAND AND WALES) REGULATIONS 2020 – Referred to as the Corona Act within this document