WELSH Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies has criticised the Vale of Glamorgan Council for refusing to move to a hybrid meetings format now Covid restrictions have been scrapped.

Currently, the Vale council meetings are held remotely with councillors dialling in via video conference.

Only two councils in Wales have not transitioned to hybrid working.

A proposal to move to hybrid working was voted down in a meeting on July 18.

Mr Davies said: "Vale residents elect councillors to County Hall, not to the sofa.

"To serve in elected office is a privilege and, in this instance, is also remunerated.

"I see no reason why there shouldn’t be provisions for members to attend meetings in person. But Labour won’t have it.

"Meeting in person allows for better debate, scrutiny and decision making.

"This blanket, stay at home approach is out of date and bad for democracy.

"And while it may be comfortable for some members to do meetings from home, we cannot allow our democracy to stay locked down while everything else is opened up."

The Vale of Glamorgan Council has been approached for comment.