Written question WQ86584

Each council is responsible for ensuring the arrangements in place for all meetings, whether they are in person, partially remote or wholly remote comply with the legal requirements relating to the use of English and Welsh languages.

It is a matter for each council to determine its own local arrangements, but I would expect these to be set out in its constitutions and policies.

It is still very early days for this way of working. I have not undertaken or commissioned any evaluation of the nature, extent or effectiveness of the opportunities provided in the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 to work innovatively through the use of hybrid and remote meetings.

The Welsh Government, the WLGA and One Voice Wales do not routinely collate information on the number of principal councils or community and town councils holding meetings entirely remotely, or on their adherence to legislation and guidance on accessibility and public participation. The latter would fall to Audit Wales to consider.