At least some council debates should continue to be held over the internet even after the Covid-19 pandemic has abated, it has been suggested.

Since March, it has been necessary to replace regular face-to-face council meetings with “virtual” gatherings over programs such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom as local authorities adapt to the “new normal.”

But despite acknowledging some initial teething problems, it has been  suggested that video conferencing should remain a mainstay of day-to-day business even after normality is somewhat resumed.

A meeting of Gwynedd Council’s Democratic Services Committee on Tuesday was told that 28 formal meetings had been held virtually thus far, with the authority now hoping to resume the public live streaming of meetings via its website.

But officers noted that the introduction of virtual meetings has also resulted in improved councillor attendance with plans in the pipeline to trial “hybrid meetings” – with some members in the chamber and others contributing virtually – when appropriate and safe to do so.

Geraint Owen, the head of corporate support, added that while the authority had been forced to embrace the new technology due to the pandemic, they were keen for a wider discussion with members on what the future make-up of council meetings should consist of.

He also noted the cost benefits of less travel between centres and the lesser impact on the environment, despite an expectation that some meetings would still need to be held face-to-face.

The subsequent discussion saw several members spoke favourably of the new medium,

Cllr Dewi Owen (Aberdyfi ward) said, “As someone who has to travel some distance to Caernarfon I really like these zoom meetings, particularly for meetings such as this where there’s a relatively small number of people involved.

“I think they work brilliantly, although it is more problematic when there’s more people involved.

“For some bigger meetings I can see the need for face-to-face, but for meetings like this it means me saving almost a day’s travelling to and from Caernarfon for maybe an hour an a half meeting.

“I can also see it helping more younger people get involved in local democracy and becoming members themselves.”

Cllr Eryl Jones-Williams (Dyffryn Ardudwy ward), added: “Take a licensing meeting in Caernarfon, which would take me an hour and a quarter to get there and another quarter of an hour to park the car for a meeting that may last less than an hour.

“It would then take me two hours to get home due to traffic in Bontnewydd, the day is then gone for a relatively short meeting. We should look at allowing officers to look at what’s necessary and if Zoom would be appropriate on occasions.

“Zoom was forced upon us but it was needed, dragging us kicking and screaming into the 21st century but we should have made more use of Zoom many years ago and would have saved a lot of travelling.”

Cllr Annwen Jane Davies said that broadband speeds were an issue in some rural communities, while Cllr Dewi Wyn Roberts urged caution that individuals aren’t left having to stare at a screen for several hours at one time, however, suggesting that screen break time should be scheduled into virtual meetings.

It’s expected that the findings of the committee will be considered by decision makers over the coming months.