Hybrid Derry and Strabane Council meetings halted by Minister

Derry and Strabane councillors have urged Communities Minister Gordon Lyons (DUP) to bring forward legislation permitting remote and hybrid council meetings “as quickly as possible”.

The move follows Derry City and Strabane District Council’s receipt of a letter from the Department for Communities (DfC) stating remote and hybrid council meetings would cease from yesterday - Wednesday, March 6, 2024.

Since March 2020, under the coronavirus emergency legislation, councils have had the flexibility to hold remote and hybrid meetings.

The order permitting councils to do so has been extended a number of times by the Department.

However, Minister Lyons has now decided not to extend the order any further.

Councillors attending Tuesday afternoon’s Governance and Strategic Planning committee were told the Communities Department has powers to make regulations permitting remote and hybrid meetings, under the Local Government Meetings and Performance Act NI 2021.

Speaking at the meeting, the city solicitor said it was his understanding Minister Lyons had asked the Department to proceed on regulations under the 2021 Act, instead of the coronavirus emergency legislation. 

He believed the drafting of that legislation was already well advanced.

Commenting on the DfC letter, Cllr Christopher Jackson (Sinn Féin) said it was important for Derry and Strabane councillors to have the option to have remote and hybrid “particularly for a council area that has a huge rural constituency.”

He added: “There are also many members who have caring responsibilities, so we should be removing barriers to participation in local government rather than putting barriers in people’s way.”

Cllr Brian Tierney (SDLP) reiterated Cllr Jackson’s point that removing barriers to participation in local government should be the key focus “not creating barriers”.

He added that the Minister should be mindful of the caring responsibilities undertaken by some and the benefits of remote and hybrid meetings in facilitating participation.

A proposal by Cllr Tierney, seconded by Cllr Emma McGinley (Sinn Féin), was discussed and unanimously agreed by the committee.

It read: “Council will write to the Minister for Communities to ensure he is aware of the benefits of hybrid meetings for both councillors and council officers and would ask that these benefits are considered when drafting legislation and that the legislation be brought forward as quickly as possible.

“Council will also write to 10 other councils to inform them of this action and encourage them to do the same.”

Speaking remotely to Tuesday’s meeting, Alderman Derek Hussey (UUP) said new Assembly legislation reintroducing remote and hybrid council meetings could be in place in three months “with a fair wind”.

He added: “My understanding is that council working groups or task and finish group meetings can still be hybrid if required.”

DUP alderman Keith Kerrigan, also speaking remotely, said: “I am sure the Minister is well aware and has been informed in detail of the benefits of the hybrid meetings.

“I would also ask those councillors who have party colleagues sitting in the Assembly to mention to those members that we should try to get this fast-tracked, without any hurdles.”

Cllr Shaun Harkin (PBP) said: “Even from a climate point of view, if someone doesn’t have to drive in from Castlederg to Derry, that is a positive thing.”

In a statement to Derry News, a spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council said: “Members have been informed of this and arrangements will be put into place for the physical attendance at Council and committee meetings after March 6.

“All Committee and Council meetings will continue to be broadcast on the Council’s YouTube channel for the public/media to view.”