MALDON District Council has decided to return to a full schedule of face-to-face meetings following the Government's decision not to renew the pandemic legislation allowing them to be held remotely.

However, at the Extraordinary Meeting of the full council debating the issue last night (Thursday, 29 April) one councillor made clear that he felt the Covid-safety measures agreed to by the members were against the Nuremberg Code.

The Nuremberg Code was created in 1947 after the Nuremberg war crime trials with the intention of preventing medical experiments on people without their consent, following the atrocities of the Holocaust committed in Nazi concentration camps.

Councillor Chrisy Morris spoke at the meeting against the resolution that members should attend the meetings wearing face masks, except for where exempt or when speaking or asking questions – and that they each need to take lateral flow Covid tests the day before each meeting.

During the debate, Cllr Morris said to officers who had written the report and proposals: "You have stated that anyone who doesn't agree to a medical procedure to be done to them is guilty of disorderly conduct.

"This is against the Nuremberg Code."

Councillors agreed to adopt the measures proposed by council officers in order to comply with Government guidelines on Covid safety. With a recorded vote in place, 24 councillors voted for adoption of the proposals, with two against and one abstention. Cllr Chrisy Morris and Councillor Vanessa Bell voted against.

The council's Statutory Annual Meeting – a critical meeting following the local elections next Thursday - is now planned for 10am on 20 May at a venue other than the council offices, due to capacity and size.

It was resolved that a "full committee cycle physically" would be resumed, with all meetings of more than 17 people held in external venues – and that evening meetings would resume the pre-Covid timing of a 7.30pm start.

It was unclear exactly how any breach of the new rules will be handled at meetings and what disruption this could in reality cause.

Before the vote, Councillor Penny Channer said: "I think all members will wear the mask."

However, Cllr Morris clearly shook his head as Cllr Channer said this and called out with regard to the Nuremberg Code as councillors voted.

The measures necessary for meetings to take place will be reviewed as restrictions lift. The authority also plans to maintain live-streaming of the meetings to allow members of the public to continue to join remotely, should they wish.