To consider Report CFO/022/20 of the Acting Monitoring Officer, concerning the Amendments to Standing Orders attached as Appendix A, which have been drafted in response to The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local MFRA Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020, which provide for remote meetings of local authorities. 

Members considered Report CFO/022/20 of the Acting Monitoring Officer, concerning proposed Amendments to Standing Orders attached as Appendix A, which have been drafted in response to The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and  Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020, which provide for remote meetings of local authorities. 

Members were provided with an overview of the report, which highlighted the introduction of the new Regulations which came into force on 4^th April 2020, enabling local authorities to hold meetings remotely. Members were advised that the Regulations apply to any meetings held before 7^th May 2021; and are applicable to Merseyside Fire & Rescue Authority.

Members were informed that this means that Members are not required to be in the same physical location; and will be determined as being in attendance at a meeting held remotely, in a virtual location, so long as, as a minimum, they can hear and can be heard.

Members were advised that the Regulations provide flexibility for the Authority regarding altering the frequency of meetings, or moving and cancelling meetings without the requirement for further notice, which may also have an impact for the AGM, which may be held at a later date, or rolled over to next year.

Members were informed that the Regulations automatically override any existing procedures or Standing Orders within the Constitution. However, it is considered good practice, for Standing Orders to be amended to reflect the impact of the new Regulations, with the amended Standing Orders attached at Appendix A.

It was highlighted to Members that the amended Standing Orders reference were meetings can be held, including remotely, how meetings remain quorate, how voting will be conducted, as well as dealing with declarations of interest; and how the public can attend and participate.

The Chair of the Authority commented that the 11^th June 2020, was being held as a potential date for an AGM; and that dependent on decisions within the District Councils, there may be consultation with the political groups as to whether an AGM would be required, or whether the status quo would be maintained, with appointments being rolled over into 2020/21.

Members Resolved that:

(a)  The implications of the The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and  Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020, be noted.

(b)  The Amendments to Standing Orders and Procedure Rules contained within Appendix A, be approved.