Cheshire East councillors asked to take Covid test before meetings

The council has started posting reminders on the top of committee agendas spelling out the importance of taking lateral flow tests before attending meetings in person.

It comes shortly after several councillors had to self-isolate when one tested positive after a meeting of the adults and health committee.

Cllr Janet Clowes (Wybunbury, Con), who has been self-isolating for several days, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “In light of rising infection rates, taking a lateral flow test in advance of meetings is a sensible precaution to secure the wellbeing of councillors and, of course,their families while ensuring, as far as possible, a smooth continuance of council business.

Cllr Janet Clowes

“Clearly, due to a member testing positive at the adults and health committee, this had a knock-on effect for the attendance at the economy and growth committee because so many were having to self-isolate.”

Cllr Laura Jeuda (Macclesfield South, Lab) said: “I’m really pleased they have done this because I went to my first face-to-face meeting and we then were informed the next day that someone had tested positive and we had to go for a PCR test.

Cllr Laura Jeuda

“This will help people to remember to take the test before they go. I think it’s a splendid idea.”

Last week nearly half of the economy and growth committee had to be substituted for Thursday’s meeting because seven of the 15 members had to self-isolate.

Cheshire East has starting posting the message at the top of all committee meeting agendas.

It states: “Anyone attending is asked to undertake a lateral flow test on the day of any meeting before embarking upon the journey to the venue. Please note that it can take up to 30 minutes for the true result to show on a lateral flow test. If your test shows a positive result, then you must not attend the meeting, and must follow the advice.”