Council meetings in Powys could be conducted via Skype if the spread of the Coronavirus continues, it has been revealed.

The Government this week announced it has moved into the second phase of dealing with the illness, amid the growing concern over the virus.

That includes the warning that public gatherings, including council meetings, may be given guidance not to go ahead.

In response, Liberal Democrat councillor Peter Roberts brought a motion before Powys Council at its full meeting on Thursday to allow it to temporarily quash a standing order in the authority's rules that prohibits meetings being attended remotely.

Mr Roberts said: “Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, has reported to a commons committee that the cabinet has now moved to phase two of the Coronavirus containment plan.

“This increases quite significantly that gatherings in public, potentially including our meetings of full council and committees may be given guidance not to go ahead.

“Standing order 4.27 prohibits us from holding meetings with remote attendance, the effect of this is that scrutiny, cabinet, full council and any other meeting could potentially be suspended for the duration of the virus outbreak.”

“Obviously this would have quite catastrophic impacts on the day to day management of the council.”

Cllr Robert proposed that the standing order be suspended for six months and allow chief executive, Dr Caroline Turner, and committee chairs to decide whether remote attendance is appropriate.

However, such a move is not without its problems. Current legal restrictions would not allow voting online, and a method would have to be introduced allowing motions to be passed by a show of hands via video conference.

And the shortcomings of broadband connections across Mid Wales also mean that some councillors may not be able to participate properly in a Skype call – although they would be able to email questions in.

Issues with regulatory committees such as the planning committee were also highlighted, as applicants, objectors and local councillors all have the right to respond and speak at planning meetings.

They may even have to be suspended if meetings were shut down, slowing down the passage of larger and more contentious building projects.

As there is no full council meeting until May, the vote to suspend the standing order took place and was passed by 45 votes to 0 and 0 abstentions.

Council chairman Cllr Beverley Baynham, (Independent – Presteign), said “This is technically my last full meeting as chair of council.

“Hopefully we’ll see you in May for the annual meeting, Coronavirus permitting.”