As a councillor for Worcester City Council and now six months pregnant, I’ve encountered a challenge that many other councillors, caregivers, and those with health issues face: the outdated law requiring in-person attendance at council meetings to participate and vote. The Local Government Act 1972, which governs council meetings, predates the technology that could easily make remote participation possible.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, remote and hybrid meetings were allowed, and councillors could continue their duties from home. These meetings not only worked efficiently but also made local government more inclusive and accessible. Unfortunately, after the temporary regulations expired, councils in England reverted to the old system, while Wales already allows councils the flexibility to decide when remote participation is appropriate.
In response, I will be bringing a motion to Worcester City Council calling for remote participation in council meetings to be allowed permanently and this will be debated next Tuesday 17th of September at 7:00 PM. So far, my motion has received cross-party support, and I am especially grateful to Cllr Katie Collier of the Green Party, who will second the motion, and to various members from the Labour Party and Green Parties who have also expressed that they will be supportive. This collaboration is essential to creating change, and I thank the Worcester City Council officers who have worked diligently with us on this initiative.
While I submitted a motion to the Liberal Democrat Federal Conference, it was not selected—not because it lacked merit, but because it had such broad support that it wouldn’t spark enough debate! This highlights the overwhelming agreement on the issue but also shows why we need grassroots and media support to keep pushing forward.
Why We Need Grassroots Support
We need the support of activists and local communities to keep this campaign going strong. Parliament is too busy and without pressure this issue will just fall through the cracks. MPs across the country need to hear from their constituents about why remote participation is essential for modern, inclusive local governance. This isn’t just about pregnancy—it’s about ensuring that anyone with caregiving responsibilities, health issues, or disabilities can continue to serve their communities.
The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils, has warned that the recruitment and retention of councillors, especially those balancing career or care commitments, will be hindered if councils are not given the power to hold statutory meetings in a hybrid manner. The LGA’s recent research shows:
- 1 in 10 councils surveyed had a councillor step down since May 2021 due to the requirement for in-person attendance at meetings.
- 84% of councils reported that councillors with work commitments would benefit from hybrid meetings, and 64% said the same for those with childcare responsibilities.
- Almost 9 in 10 councils said councillors would use virtual attendance as a reasonable adjustment.
- No council surveyed wanted fully virtual meetings, but most supported hybrid options.
- The LGA survey highlights how necessary flexibility in meetings is for attracting and retaining councillors, especially those from diverse backgrounds, and for encouraging public engagement in local democracy. Councils are calling on the government to remove these outdated barriers and legislate for the flexibility to use virtual meeting technologies.
A Positive Response from the Government so far
I would also like to extend my thanks to Daisy Cooper, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, who raised this issue with the government. Minister McMahon’s response was encouraging:
“The government wants to ensure that local government is modern, efficient, flexible, and diverse, and we are keen to break down barriers that prevent people from seeking to serve their communities. Allowing hybrid meetings could be a helpful step in doing that, and we are keen to work with the sector to have an evidence-based discussion about its merits.”
This is a positive step, but we need to keep up the pressure to ensure that these discussions lead to real legislative change. Your support and activism will make all the difference in bringing about a more inclusive future for local government.
How You Can Help
You can support this campaign by reaching out to your MP and asking them to raise this issue in Parliament. Here’s how you can help:
- Watch my speech at Worcester City Council: I will be speaking on this issue at Worcester City Council on Tuesday, 17th of September at Worcester Guildhall at 7:00 pm, and you can watch the live stream to learn more about the motion and its importance and share it.
- Reach out to your MP: You can use the draft email below to contact your local MP, asking them to raise this issue in Parliament. You can find their contact information here
- You can use the following template to e-mail your local MP
Draft Email to MPs
Subject: Support for Remote Participation in Local Council Meetings
Dear [MP’s Name],
I am writing to ask for your support in raising an important issue in Parliament regarding local government inclusivity and modernisation. Currently, under the Local Government Act 1972, councillors are required to attend meetings in person to participate and vote. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, remote and hybrid meetings proved to be both effective and inclusive, allowing councillors with caregiving responsibilities, health concerns, or disabilities to continue serving their communities.
Councillor Jessie Jagger, a local councillor in Worcester who is currently six months pregnant, has been leading a campaign to allow remote participation in council meetings. Her motion has gained cross-party support, with Cllr Katie Collier of the Green Party seconding the motion. This demonstrates the broad consensus on the importance of this issue. You can read more about her campaign and the importance of this issue here:
Additionally, the Local Government Association’s research highlights the success of remote meetings during the pandemic and the ongoing benefits that remote participation can provide to local government. You can find more on this here: LGA Research Link
Wales has already adopted laws allowing remote participation, and it is time for England to follow suit. You can find more information about this here.
The government has shown interest at the request of Liberal Democrat Daisy Cooper, with Minister McMahon stating:
“The government wants to ensure that local government is modern, efficient, flexible, and diverse, and we are keen to break down barriers that prevent people from seeking to serve their communities. Allowing hybrid meetings could be a helpful step in doing that, and we are keen to work with the sector to have an evidence-based discussion about its merits.”
I urge you to raise this matter in Parliament and support amending the Local Government Act 1972 to allow local councils the flexibility to decide when remote participation is appropriate. This change would make local government more accessible and inclusive, allowing councillors from all walks of life to continue contributing effectively.
Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to your support on this vital issue.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, Postcode]
Resources to Support the Campaign:
Media Clipping on the issue
Local Government Association Research on Remote Meetings
Information on how Wales already allows remote participation
