Spilsby 'well-prepared' to stay connected at 'virtual meeting'

Councillors resolved at a meeting at the beginning of the year to increase efficiency, security of documents and emails and instant access to the council's policies by providing each councillor with a notebook computer, so that when permission was given a couple of weeks ago to local parish and town councils to hold virtual meetings using secure video conferencing, Spilsby Town Council was able to summon and hold a virtual full council meeting with councillors remaining safely at their own homes.

Town Mayor Councillor Terry Taylor commented. “We have already started the application process for accreditation to the ‘Local Council Award Scheme’ which provides councils with the tools and encouragement to become top in their sector and as part of this it was resolved at the beginning of the year, to provide councillors with notebook computers, so we were well placed to hold a virtual council meeting so soon after permission was granted by the government.

"Surprisingly, the meeting went extremely well, yes, there were a few teething problems initially before commencing the meeting, but these were just user errors which were soon corrected and after that, it all went well. Obviously, the more meetings we have using this method the easier it will become, all councillors agreed after the meeting that they were pleased how it went and had felt fully inclusive for the whole of the meeting and look forward to the next one”

At the virtual council meeting councillors resolved to hold meetings using this format, at least until the government deem that normal attended meetings can recommence.