Written question WQ84127

The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 requires that a community council must publish arrangements for convening meetings, which allows – but not requires – participants to be in multiple locations.

The concerns around the potential for digital exclusion are one reason why the minimum requirement is that those in attendance can hear and be heard.

Councils may choose to meet physically, but where there is a request to attend remotely, the council may reasonably decide that telephone access is most practical solution. They may also consider different venues in their community, if practical.

Briefing has been provided to community councils to provide clarity on what is required, why, and suggest ways in which the requirements could be met.

I have recently agreed to fund a Digital Delivery Manager post, hosted within One Voice Wales, to assist the sector. They will provide support to share knowledge across community councils and get a better understanding of the digital capacity and capability. Their advice will help identify and provide practical solutions for the sector.

More broadly, the Digital Strategy for Wales outlines how the Welsh Government will continue to extend good quality digital connectivity.