Residents will miss out on updates about Maryport council if the authority has to resort to internet meetings in the future, it was claimed.

The council hopes to hold its first formal meeting since February on July 20.

Councillors who prefer to will attend the meeting as long as they can be seated two metres apart in the council chambers but other councillors will join the meeting on Zoom.

Mayor Peter Kendall said, however, that he was concerned about the number of residents who might not be “computer savvy”.

“Throughout the lockdown I have had people coming to my door or phoning me to ask about issues," he said.

“There are many people who do not have access to computers and they cannot be forgotten. They are going to miss out if we cannot find a way to allow them to be physically present at meetings.

“We don’t get a lot of public at our meetings but we cannot pre-determine that.”

Councillors have been making decisions by phone or email in recent months.

He said the July 20 meetings would depend on the ability to follow all safety guidelines.

Mr Kendall said he would seek council backing on July 20 to lobby the Government about school openings.

“We need to ensure staff and children are safe," he said. "There are a lot of empty portable offices and a lot of supply teachers available. We need to be asking the Government to invest in classroom safety."

While the council had not been meeting, Mr Kendall had fulfilled several ceremonial roles. He was responsible for flying the flag to mark the death of Dame Vera Lynn, VE Day, Armed Forces Day and Windrush Day.

He also laid wreaths at St Nicholas Church in Flimby and the Memorial Gardens in Maryport to mark VE Day.

He and the two clerks, Paul Bramley and Mrs Douglas, who work in the office on separate days, have also overseen the plantings around the town, including the large boat on Netherhall Corner which was planted out in red, white and blue for the75 anniversary of VE Day.