Sleaford Town Council set to resume meetings online via Zoom

Councillors will be joining a virtual meeting using the popular teleconferencing app, Zoom, following a two-month break since lockdown.

Clerk Lisa Tidy said: “Legislation has been passed which allows for meetings of the council to take place by electronic means.

“The Annual Town Meeting which was scheduled to take place on Wednesday May 6 unfortunately could not go ahead as planned due to rules surrounding public gatherings.”

This meeting is when townspeople normally hear reports from the chairman of the council and clerk and can raise points about any subjects affecting the town, as well as often having the opportunity to meet and learn about some of the area’s many voluntary organisations and other charities.

The first meeting via Zoom will be the Annual General meeting of the council at 7pm on Wednesday.

The main business of the meeting will see the election of a new chairman to replace outgoing Mayor Coun Adrian Snookes and a Deputy Mayor to replace Coun Tony Brand.

Due to the social distancing rules of Covid-19 it will not be possible for the presentation of the chains of office to passed directly to the newly elected Mayor and Deputy until after the meeting, explained Mrs Tidy.

Councillors will also be assigned to various panels.

Mrs Tidy said: “Using Zoom provides more flexibility to ensure the meeting will be available to the public and press allowing for greater transparency in our decision making. The public forum will still take place 15 minutes prior to the meeting should anyone wish to ask questions.”

Details on how to view the meeting form the front page of the agenda on the website at www.sleaford.gov.uk/council-meetings.html#item-1245196.