We have all become more familiar with the joys (and in some cases pitfalls) of virtual meetings through software such as Zoom. MS teams and Skype over the last few weeks. In most cases even technophobes appear to have got to grips with things. Conference calls are now commonly used, with success - especially on time demands - and we hope the success of these, can lead to refinement and more efficient working methods in future. It’s certainly enabled this practice to keep projects on track and moving.

Following cancellation of planning committee meetings across North Wales and with little obvious prospect of them returning soon, its great news that Welsh Government introduced measures effective from yesterday “for participation at meetings of a local authority held before 1 May2021 on the basis of full or partial remote attendance so long as persons who are not in the same place are able to speak to, and be heard by, other participants” with sundry other changes to legislation regarding the provision of notices and summons to such meetings and the like.

In other words - remote/virtual council meetings.

We welcome this move which gives Planning Services the powers needed to continue to move planning applications forward and secure much needed decisions. We look forward to participating.