Cheshire East's cabinet is to meet in a 'virtual' online meeting for the first time on 5th May.

The aim is to ensure important council business progresses, despite the restrictions of Covid-19 and the council's focus on combatting the impact of the pandemic.

Cheshire East Council say they are determined to carry on 'business as usual', where possible, to take necessary decisions and ensure continued delivery of quality, value-for-money services for residents.

New regulations came into force recently allowing councillors to take part and vote in virtual meetings without the need to be physically present.

Cabinet members will log in, via computer, into a virtual video meeting, supported by senior officers.

Computer software will be used to video link the meeting. Members of the public and press, councillors and officers can access the cabinet meeting either by dialling in or using the Microsoft Teams app (which you can download on your smart phone or computer). The link is available on the cabinet agenda webpage.

There will be an opportunity at the start of the meeting for members of the public and councillors to ask questions of cabinet members as they do normally at physical meetings.

Members of the public who wish to ask a question or make a statement at the meeting should pre-register with us and provide at least three clear working days' notice (by 4pm on Wednesday 29 April) in writing of the question they will ask.

Pre-registering to speak will enable members of the public to be admitted to the virtual meeting via a 'lobby system' – a virtual waiting area before the meeting starts.

To register to speak or ask a question at cabinet, email: [email protected]

The cabinet meeting will take place on Tuesday 5th May at 1pm.