Almost all council activity will be suspended for the next six months in Aberdeen because of the coronavirus pandemic, with other authorities making similar unprecedented moves.
Members of Aberdeen City Council’s urgent business committee unanimously agreed plans to suspend the majority of meetings in the coming months.
The number of councillors on those committees still running throughout the course of the pandemic will be reduced to five.
Any matters which arise between Monday and August 21 will be reported to the urgent business committee instead of the full council or any other group.
And councillors will also be able to participate in meetings remotely – including taking part in any votes.
Council co-leader Jenny Laing said: “It’s important we send out a message to the public because it is a very concerning time. It’s about us playing our part and making sure measures are in place.”
The number of councillors on each will be reduced from nine to five and will be made up of three administration and two opposition.
Members who are unable or “cannot be reasonably expected” to attend – such as those self-isolating – will be able to participate by video link.
On Wednesday, Aberdeenshire Council agreed a raft of changes to help the authority continue to deliver services during the pandemic.
Of the 66 committee and other council meetings planned for the next three months, 19 have now been cancelled after being deemed non-essential.
A greater focus on using the internet instead of face-to-face communication has been agreed, and in the event of a significant number of councillors being unable to work or attend events, committees could continue with reduced, politically proportional numbers.
Highland Council has taken the decision to postpone all committee meetings and member workshops due to take place in March and April.
Convener, Bill Lobban, said: “This will also free up key staff to focus on the council’s emergency resilience response to Covid-19.”
In Moray, the business of the council and decisions required for continuity will be undertaken by a reduced cross-party emergency committee of councillors.
An “incident management team” comprising senior managers from across the authority are meeting daily to ensure essential services are delivered and staff supported.
