Council cancels non-essential meetings due to coronavirus outbreak

The escalating coronavirus situation has forced Swindon Borough Council to cancel a number of meetings over the next two months.

In line with the Government’s social distancing advice, limited meetings will take place at the Civic Offices up until Thursday, 21 May and a review will take place at the end of April to assess the state of the public health emergency.

The decision has been agreed by the Leaders of all the Council’s political groups.

The council will only hold council meetings that are required and to ensure democracy is not undermined.

As a result, next Wednesday’s (25 March) Cabinet meeting will go ahead as planned, as will the following Monday’s (30 March) Scrutiny meeting.

Special Committees may also be scheduled, only when required, to confirm any decisions that need Council’s approval.

The Council’s Planning and Licensing Committees will continue to take place in order to minimise disruption to local businesses outside of the Council.

A review of the Council’s decision-making processes will also be discussed at next week’s Cabinet meeting.

Councillor David Renard, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “As a council we need to ensure we minimise the risk of coronavirus to councillors, staff and the public so cancelling these non-essential council meetings is absolutely the right thing to do in these uncertain times.

“It is important we continue to deliver the vital services that people rely on, which is why all three parties have agreed to maintain those meetings which are crucial to the continued operation of the council and the wider economy.”