Spread out council meeting under way

The scene in the New Norfolk War Memorial Hall just before
the start of tonight's Derwent Valley Council meeting.

THE Derwent Valley Council's monthly meeting is under way in the New Norfolk War Memorial Hall, with extra space between the councillors, staff and public to help reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus COVID-19.

Seven of the elected councillors are present for the meeting, along with six staff, a guest speaker, and about 14 people in the public gallery.

Earlier today it was decided that the meeting would be relocated from the courthouse to the more spacious Memorial Hall following government recommendations on "social distancing" to prevent the spread of infection.

Members of the public taking their places before the meeting.

The council announced on Facebook late this afternoon that it was reviewing all events planned to be held in the Derwent Valley, "to ensure that the public and our staff are not put at any unnecessary risk due to the spread of coronavirus. We're keeping track of the current status of community spaces and organisations, scheduled events and activities on our website and will be updating these regularly."

The council's list of community spaces, organisations and events can be seen here.

Councillors present at the start of the meeting were Natasha Woods, left, Luke
Browning, Paul Belcher, Ben Shaw and Julie Triffett.