Last night (Tues) Bruton Town Council met outdoors for what is believed to be the first time in its 127 year history, holding a full council meeting in the garden of the Bruton Unionist Club.
The law allowing meetings to take place virtually over apps like Zoom expired last month, and the COVID rules barring meetings indoors have not yet been removed, leaving town councils in the awkward position of having to meet to fulfil their legal obligations, but prevented from doing so inside.
Up to now Bruton Town Council has sidestepped the problem by having online meetings which make recommendations to the town’s clerk for what she should do under the emergency powers she has. But some things cannot legally be delegated to the clerk, so a meeting was required.
The Council would like to thank the Unionist Club for the use of their garden, and happily the weather was kind and the meeting concluded before dark!