Local councils have been scrabbling to re-arrange some of their meetings to comply with the law.

The Government has decided not to extend Covid virtual meeting regulations which will result in online meetings having no legal status after May 6.

Dorset Council says that between then and June 21 ,when the rules for meetings are expected to change, it does not have any space where face to face meetings could be held while complying with current Covid safety rules. At County Hall the most it could manage, legally, would be 18 with space for only 15 in a Covid safe way by using all the committee space at South Walks House.

The best they may be able to do is continue to hold virtual meetings and make 'minded to' decisions which would then be delegated to senior council officers to enact.

After June 21 when more people are allowed to meet indoors, the councils should, in theory, be able to hold 'in person' meetings within the safety rules, although many councillors said they would be still be reluctant.

Dorset Council has brought its annual meeting forward to May 4 to avoid the changes and other local, town and parish councils, have made similar moves.

A High Court case sought to establish that remote meetings can take place within the general law, without the need for the remote meetings regulations, but a decision has yet to be announced.

Bridport town clerk Will Austin says: "It's certainly not an ideal situation and we are disappointed that the Government has not found time to consider extending the legislation allowing councils to meet virtually."

It has brought forward its annual meeting to May 6 and will maintain virtual meetings for public access. Some of its smaller committees may be able to be held face to face but anything above 10 attendees will not be possible while complying with the regulations.