Kington Town Council would be broadly in favour of allowing remote access to its meetings.

Members were asked for their opinions on the subject at a recent meeting in response to a government consultation. 

Remote access to council meetings in Wales has been allowed since the end of Covid.

Now the UK Government is consulting on allowing remote access for council meetings.

Councillor Bob Widdowson said he would support it. He asked how many members had driven to the meeting in cars so he said there is an environmental consideration and there are other benefits to online meetings in the event of illness or bad weather.

Mayor Councillor Philip Sell said one of the drawbacks he has seen is that sometimes, a person online is not able to see the whole group or council and Deputy Mayor Councillor Martin Woolford said there would be technology implications.

Councillor Buzz Bishop said she would support it because it would enable someone who is ill to link in from home or it may encourage people with children or caring responsibilities to become councillors. “It makes the council more inclusive,” she said.

Councillor Nicki Cornish said they could use it for extreme circumstances such as during bad weather.

Members agreed to broadly support the idea but will await any proposal and consider its detail.