Allerdale council is to host its first-ever virtual committee meeting next week.

Members sitting on the development panel will come together virtually to decide on a number of planning applications on Tuesday, June 2.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak committee meetings had been temporarily postponed, however, the council has been working on alternative ways of holding meetings following changes to Government legislation allowing them to take place virtually.

Marion Fitzgerald, executive member with responsibility for policy, governance and people resources, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming our members and the public to the council’s first virtual meeting.

“As a council we’ve had to work differently and deliver our services in new ways due to this pandemic and I’d like to thank all those involved with helping to get this system up and running.

"The meeting can be viewed from anywhere, on any device and at any time of day through a recording, so we hope this will allow more of our residents to see the decision-making process first hand.”

Councillors on the panel will take part in the meeting by using video conferencing software Zoom and members of the public and press will be able to watch a live stream of proceedings through the council’s YouTube channel.

The meeting begins at 1pm.