Holding Powys County Council meetings online has increased diversity of decision makers

The study points to the adoption of flexible and remote hybrid working by Powys County Council – in response to the Covid-19 pandemic but maintained since – as being a key driver in making the role of its elected members more attractive to people with disabilities, as well as to parents and carers.

It adds that the changes have also made the role of county councillor more attractive to younger people.

The report states: “All in all, remote meetings have improved the working culture for councillors at Powys County Council, allowing them to better connect to their residents and better attend to their council duties.”

The study was commissioned by the Local Government Disability Champions Network, and funded by the UK Government, with the aim of highlighting good practice at councils across Wales and England that supports councillors and officers with disabilities.

“I’m delighted that Powys has been recognised in this report for the work that has been done to make it a more attractive place to be a county councillor,” said Councillor James Gibson-Watt, Powys County Council’s Leader and Cabinet Member for an Open and Transparent Powys.

“The size of the county and long-distances that people must travel to attend meetings in person has always been a challenge, so it is great to see that our approach is having a positive impact and is now being held up as an example for others to follow.”

• Local Government Disability Champions Network: Good practice case studies: https://www.local.gov.uk/publications/local-government-disability-champions-network-good-practice-case-studies

• Powys County Council: Flexible and Remote Hybrid Working: https://www.local.gov.uk/case-studies/powys-county-council-flexible-and-remote-hybrid-working

PICTURE CAPTION: A screenshot from one of Powys County Council’s hybrid Cabinet meetings.