New £70k system to run 'hybrid' council meetings

A £70,000 system will be installed in Moray Council's chambers to allow hybrid committee meetings.

Since the start of the pandemic the local authority’s meetings have being held virtually, with councillors and officers logging on from home.

The new system, which is funded by the Scottish Government, is being installed as council staff began a phased return this week to office-based working.

It will allow councillors and staff to still take part even if they are self-isolating or unable attend in person.

Part of the work will involve replacing the existing sound system, which was installed more than 15 years ago.

The public will still be able to watch committee meetings as they happen through the webcast function on the council’s website.

Graham Leadbitter, Moray Council's leader, said: "Using external funding we are updating the system in the council chambers to allow hybrid meetings to take place and still be webcast. That’s being installed in April in time for the new council.

"Moray Council was one of the first local authorities to webcast its meetings and in keeping with that accessibility, we are likely to be an early adopter of hybrid meeting.

"The chamber is not only used for committee meetings but training and briefing sessions, and these systems also support wider staff use."

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