Burnham and Highbridge Town Council’s first ever ‘virtual’ public meeting over the Internet has been held this week.
Monday’s Finance and Resources Meeting was streamed online using Zoom, with councillors able to take part from the safety of their homes, rather than attending in person.
It enabled them to comply with the Government’s social distancing guidelines amid the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.
Several members of the public also viewed the meeting remotely, with Burnham-On-Sea.com among them. The software lets the public listen in to the meeting and witness votes, including how individual councillors vote.
Town Clerk Sam Winter, pictured below with her lighthouse background image, gave an update on the council’s work so far during the Coronavirus pandemic, saying that it is taking a key role in supporting the community helpline, plus providing funding for the local FoodBank, and offering other help and resources. She thanked the volunteers and staff.
Committee Chairman Cllr Mike Facey thanked all the council’s staff for their work so far in supporting the community amid the “horrendous” pandemic.
He added that the council’s first virtual meeting had been a success, with further virtual meetings planned for the weeks ahead.
One councillor told Burnham-On-Sea.com after Monday’s meeting that virtual sessions like this may become the “new normal for the remainder of this year” as social distancing measures look set be in place for several months for social gatherings like meetings.
