THE first in-person meeting of Christchurch Town Council since the start of the pandemic is due to take place next week.

Following a law change, local authority meetings can no longer be held remotely over online conferencing platforms.

Hybrid meetings with some members attending remotely are also not permitted.

With the council chamber at the Civic Offices no longer available due to it being used for Covid testing, the town council will now be holding its meetings at Homelands Hall in King's Avenue.

Minutes from the annual full council meeting earlier this month report that a site visit was undertaken and it was established the hall was suitable and Covid secure.

The first meeting due to be held at Homelands Hall is a planning committee session on the evening of Tuesday, June 1.