What: The government is consulting on the effectiveness of remote local authority meetings including virtual planning committee meetings which had been in operation since the start of the pandemic until early May of this year.

Our view: We are supportive of the move towards holding more planning committee meetings remotely albeit there will be scenarios where a physical meeting is more appropriate. Local authorities should be empowered to judge the best meeting method in light of the matters to be discussed with input from all interested parties. National guidance should also be produced to assist local authorities in determining the best format.