Coronavirus won't stop Atherstone public debating local issues, town council leader promises

Deepening lockdown on coronavirus will not stop the Atherstone public "having their say" at the town council's monthly meeting this week.

Atherstone Town Council leader David Wright has promised "normal participation" on what it is expected to be a restricted agenda.

However, a number of senior councillors may be missing from Wednesday's meeting to keep them "out of harm's way" from the dangers of the worsening Covid-19 outbreak.

Councillor Wright told Nub News he wasn't stopping anyone coming but he thought some members of the town council would not be in attendance.

"It's not a question of self-isolating, more about being sensible for some of our councillors," added the town council chairman.

Cllr Wright, also deputy leader on North Warwickshire Borough Council, said he however "fully expects" the meeting to last longer than the local authority's Executive Board last night which was wrapped up inside four minutes – with councillors keeping their distance and sitting in alternate seats in the chamber.

Atherstone Town Council is scheduled to start at 7pm tomorrow in the North Warwickshire civic suite in South Street.