Some councillors could be barred from voting at an upcoming Kent County Council meeting due to efforts to curb Covid-19.

There are fears County Hall in Maidstone is too small to allow social distancing and so limits are to be placed on the number of elected members that can attend.

The format of Kent County Council’s (KCC) full council meeting on Thursday, December 16 has been revised to limit the potential spread of Covid-19 and the new Omicron variant.

Political groups agreed there will be a reduced agenda at the meeting.

It means while the election of a new chair and deputy will go ahead, the planned Invicta Award and Honorary Alderman awards will now take place in the new year.

There is also cross-party agreement that attendance will be limited, in a politically proportionate way, so that fair representation and social distancing can take place in the chamber.

Councillors who are not physically at the meeting will be able to attend virtually via an online feed.

However, current government legislation means that they will not be able to vote, move or amend motions.

KCC says members will be kept informed should any legal changes be introduced by the government in time to affect next Thursday’s meeting arrangements.

Interim director of public health for Kent Dr Allison Duggal said: “We continue to keep a careful eye on the implications of Covid-19 and the new Omicron variant for the county and have seen a rapid in cases in recent weeks.

“Given it is not possible to socially distance adequately at larger council meetings, and it is impractical to ventilate buildings to the required degree, I have advised we need to revert to alternative ways of holding these meetings at least until we see infection rates fall and we have better understanding of Omicron."

She added: “Members who are attending the full council are being asked to take extra precautions, including completing lateral flow tests, wearing face coverings and maintaining a two-metre social distance whilst inside County Hall.

“Other smaller member meetings at Kent County Council are already run on a two-metre social distanced basis and, while it is not anticipated any other changes will be necessary, the situation will remain under review.”

Kent County Council leader Cllr Roger Gough said: “Covid continues to pose enormous challenges to all of us as it impacts our daily lives, our communities, our businesses and our wider economy.

“Throughout, my priority remains to ensure that Kent County Council continues to deliver, within government guidelines, the important and trusted services we have always provided for the residents of Kent.

“I thank Members for their ongoing dedication to public service at this challenging time and for working so constructively across party to ensure we can all go about our vital council work safely and interrupted.”

The full agenda and webcast link is available here.