Council support for ‘hybrid’ meetings

POLITICAL parties from across Mid Ulster have confirmed their support for the continuation of the council’s ability to facilitate hybrid meetings (mix of virtual and physical meetings).

The matter was discussed at the monthly meeting last week, with Council’s chair, Councillor Paul McLean, seeking the parties’ views as to how the local authority should respond to a consultation from the Department for Communities on the issue.

Sinn Féin group leader Councillor Cathal Mallaghan said his party are fully supportive of the council retaining the ability to facilitate hybrid meetings.

“We have come a long way from the early days in the Burnavon when we were having numerous difficulties with the technology,” said Cllr Mallaghan. I think when you take into consideration the type of meeting that is being conducted, if we are meeting for a short time over a specific number of issues, does it make sense to have people driving from all other the district, possibly spending more time in the car than at the meeting?

“We are supportive of the hybrid idea, it is all about work life balance as well and if there is anything we can do to manage our time better we have to be supportive of it.”

Speaking on behalf of the DUP, Councillor Paul McLean confirmed the party are of the view retaining the ability to facilitate hybrid meetings makes sense.

“I think it makes sense, now if we use it as much going forward or not is another question but it is important we inform the department we are interested in keeping the hybrid process,” he said.

SDLP group leader, Councillor Malachy Quinn said he was very supportive of the ability to conduct hybrid meetings.

Cookstown UUP Councillor Trevor Wilson said it was important to pay tribute to Council’s head of IT, Barry O’Hagan and his team for making a success of the system.

“I think we should say a huge thank you to Barry and his team,” he said.