Isle of Wight council meetings have been halted due to the national mourning period following the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II last week.
According to government guidance, the national mourning period lasts for ten days, from the day of Her Majesty’s death last Thursday (8th September) until the end of the day of the Queen’s funeral on Monday (19th September).
Restriction on local authorities
During that time there is no requirement for businesses to shut, but in terms of local government, local authorities are unable to count days of mourning within the period of notice.
That means no summons or meeting agendas can be issued.
Earliest date can announce meetings
Due to that, the earliest the council would be able to issue either a summons or meeting agenda would be on Tuesday, 20th September.
The council is also required to publish an agenda at least five working days before the meeting.
In that instance, the earliest a council meeting could now be held by the authority would be on Wednesday, 28th September.
Cancelled meetings
That would mean, since Her Majesty’s death on 8th September, four meetings were cancelled as a result, including full council and the planning committee.
On the day meetings can resume, the council is holding its Harbour Committee and Licensing Sub-Committee.
Draft Island Planning Strategy
One item that was due to be discussed at the cancelled full council meeting was the approval of the draft Island Planning Strategy before it was sent off to the Planning Inspectorate.
There are no implications to the plan, a council spokesperson said, other than a short delay, as it will instead be considered at the earliest opportunity.
Discussions were underway about an extraordinary meeting of the full council, before its next scheduled meeting in November, but no date or decision has been confirmed.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
