Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what representations he has received from (a) local councils and (b) local government groups on extending the power to allow councils to continue meeting remotely, such as in licensing and planning committees, after the expiry of the relevant powers in the Coronavirus Act 2020 on 6 May 2021.

The Government keeps all policy under review. To extend the facility for councils to continue to meet remotely, or in hybrid form after 7 May 2021 would require primary legislation. We have received representations from local authorities and sector representative organisations making the case for the continuation of remote meetings beyond 7 May 2021 and are carefully considering next steps in this area.