Call for all meetings in Three Rivers to be cancelled due to coronavirus

Councillor Alex Hayward, who leads the Conservative party in Three Rivers, says in these “exceptional circumstances”, these meetings are not essential.

However, Three Rivers District Council says it has been taking regular advice from the government and Public Health England (PHE), and based on that guidance, it is continuing to operate meetings.

Speaking on Wednesday morning, Cllr Hayward said: “I come from a nursing background and I am trained in infection control.

“I don’t think the council have a grasp on this situation. Every door that is pushed open and every desk surface that is touched – these are areas which could cross-contaminate.

“These meetings are not essential. They should be postponed, including the planning and audit committee meetings, under these exceptional circumstances. This is about protecting the residents. I have emailed the council and the council leader raising my concerns.”

In an email to Cllr Hayward on Tuesday evening, leader Cllr Sara Bedford explained that at present, legislation does not allow arbitrary cancellation of meetings.

Cllr Bedford added it has to be “business as usual” until the emergency government legislation comes through.

On Thursday morning however, councillors were told an extraordinary full council meeting scheduled for Monday had been postponed, after agreement between all three party leaders and the council chairman.

But as it stands a planning meeting tonight (Thursday) and an audit committee meeting on Tuesday are going ahead. Only one meeting is scheduled on April – planning on the 23rd.

Labour leader Cllr Steve Cox said there is an “inconsistency” in postponing one meeting but not the others.

Three Rivers District Council chief executive Joanne Wagstaffe said: “Based on guidance from the government and PHE, and following our business continuity process we have decided to continue to operate our Council meetings.

“This is in line with other councils, including Hertfordshire County Council. This is to ensure that we can continue to undertake our business and support our local economy through approving planning applications and making any required decisions.

“We have considered how we operate our council meetings in the current environment and have made some changes to our room layout to allow the recommended space between people, we are also providing hand sanitiser gel and soap to ensure that people can regularly wash their hands.

“We are waiting for a change in legislation which will allow us to hold virtual meetings which will avoid the need to meet in person going forwards. We will review how we facilitate the meetings once the necessary legislation has been passed.”

Yesterday, Watford mayor Peter Taylor confirmed the town hall would no longer host council meetings. He said the plan is for planning and licensing meetings to be held virtually, with all other Watford Borough Council meetings cancelled.

Hertsmere Borough Council has a planning committee meeting tonight. On Wednesday, the council said some events were being cancelled. Like Three Rivers and Watford, it is awaiting legal advice on public council meetings.