COUNCILS will have the power to hold remote meetings over the phone or by video link during the coronavirus pandemic from this week. 

Regulations require councillors to physically meet for decisions to be voted on at local authorities.

But the government was due to temporarily lift this legal requirement on Saturday. 

Teesside’s councils cancelled all meetings in the wake of the coronavirus crisis until further notice. 

But Stockton and Middlesbrough Councils both confirmed they were looking into how to hold virtual meetings in the future. 

The Government says the move will ensure meetings remain accessible and guidelines are followed to stop the spread of coronavirus. 

Local government secretary Robert Jenrick said councils were the “backbone of democracy” and vital in efforts to keep people safe.

“This change will support them to do that while maintaining the transparency we expect in local decision making,” he added.

“Councillors and staff are already doing the right thing by following our advice to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.

“This includes working from home wherever possible, and the new powers to hold meetings virtually will make that easier.

“It’s critical that they continue to provide essential services and find innovative ways to maintain important economic functions they perform like the planning system and they will now be able to do so.”

Government grants totalling £1.6bn have been meted out to help councils during the coronavirus crisis.

Local Government Association (LGA) Chairman James Jamieson said giving councils the power to hold remote meetings was important to maintaining local democracy and ensuring “critical decisions” could be made. 

He added: “Councils need to respond quickly and make very many key decisions. They can now do so while remaining open, transparent and accessible to the public.

“Remote council meetings will crucially help ensure all those taking part stay at home, helping to prevent the coronavirus from spreading and save lives.”