THIS morning, March 24, it was confirmed that the meeting of the Audit Committee, which was due to take place this evening (Tuesday, March 24, and the Cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday evening (March 26), have been cancelled, and the Scrutiny meeting scheduled for Monday, April 6 has been postponed.

It had been the only council in Devon whereby meetings had not yet been affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

A Mid Devon District Council spokesman said that meetings are being reviewed on a rolling basis so that only essential decisions are brought forward.

It comes as councillors over the age of 70 or with underlying health conditions had been advised to stringently follow government advice on social distancing.

Stephen Walford, Chief Executive, added: “While no-one has been ‘banned’ from attending meetings, all my elected councillors take their local community leadership responsibilities seriously and this includes leading by example on the current advice to minimise travel and physical contact with others wherever possible.

“In the current situation it is imperative that those over 70 or with underlying health conditions stringently follow government advice on social distancing.

“Our legal officers are working to ensure that only urgent decisions are brought forward and that we work to ensure quorate attendance at meetings where such decisions are required.

“However, no-one should be in any doubt as to the seriousness of the current situation and it is absolutely right that our locally-elected politicians should lead by example in observing the national advice; stay home, protect the NHS, save lives.”

The Exeter City Council Licensing Committee meeting, which was also due to take place this evening, has also been cancelled.

The next council meeting in Devon that is currently listed as happening is the East Devon District Council cabinet meeting on Tuesday, March 31. No agenda has yet been published, but the meeting is still listed on the calendar of meetings and has not officially been cancelled as of time of writing.

Daniel Clark

LDRS