Meetings of Tonbridge and Malling's local authority are to resume online after a two-month suspension due to lockdown.

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council's first meeting will be of the cabinet members on Tuesday, May 19, via Microsoft Teams.

Council leader Nicolas Heslop will be assessing the impact of the outbreak and setting out proposals for how committees and decision-making will operate in the months ahead.

The public and media will be able to watch via a link on the committee pages of the council website.

Lockdown has led to the cancellation of 10 meetings so far, including the annual council meeting which was meant to be going ahead on Tuesday, May 12.

The role of mayor was due to pass from Jill Anderson to her deputy Roger Roud, but now, both will continue in their present roles for a further year.

Cllr Heslop said: "While we are living through an extraordinary period in our history with huge disruption to everyday life, it’s vital we do everything possible to maintain an open and democratic decision-making process.

"Now more than ever, the borough council has a leadership role to play and by holding meetings online we will be able to fulfil that role with the necessary scrutiny by our members, the press and public."

Mayor Jill Anderson added: "I’m very pleased to continue in my role and look forward to meeting people again and joining community events once the situation allows.

"I would also like to thank the battalions of volunteers who are selflessly helping others and our council staff who are supporting this effort while continuing to deliver the services that have kept our borough functioning.

"Getting our programme of meetings back up and running is another important step in the recovery process."

Read more: All the latest news from Tonbridge

Read more: All the latest news from Malling