Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) and the Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO) fundamentally believe that the ability to deliver democracy and make decisions in remote meetings decision that was granted to local authorities during the coronavirus crisis should be maintained.  

This is about maintaining choice not delivering a mandate - local authorities and town councils should be able to choose whether to meet in person or virtually dependent on circumstances - the type of meeting, the content, the availability of attendees, the accessibility requirements of attendees, requirements around social distancing etc. It’s about ensuring that councils can operate in the same modern, contemporary way as other organisations in the 21st century.

On the 21st April we are seeking a declaration by a judge in the High Court that the 1972 Local Government Act can now be interpreted to permit local authorities and town councils to make decisions via virtual meetings. We are looking to raise £20,000 to contribute to a proportion of the costs of the case. 

We are two small organisations trying to effect an essential national change that will enable local authorities to function more efficiently and effectively not just throughout the remaining path out of lockdown, but on an ongoing basis. The legal action is hugely valuable to all local authorities, however it comes at a significant price to LLG and ADSO and we would welcome any financial support you are able to give.

We do hope you can support us in securing a better future.

Thank you