COUNCILLORS could be set for a return to the Municipal Buildings chambers after more than a year of virtual meetings.

Since the coronavirus outbreak last March, Inverclyde Council and its committees have hosted meetings online to comply with government guidance on social distancing and indoor gatherings.

But with restrictions now easing as case levels plummet, officials have said they are discussing options for relaunching in-person meetings.

Councillors are to be presented with a report for consideration next month which will outline the various ways in which meetings could be held in future.

Throughout the pandemic, residents have been unable to observe decisions of the council, with no recordings of meeting made available.

A council spokesman said: “We are currently exploring the possible options for future committee and board meetings in the short, medium and longer-term, taking into consideration national Covid-19 safety rules.

“Recordings of online committee meetings are currently being processed and will soon be made available to view online.

“We are looking into a return of some form of in-person attendance at committees.

“A report is currently being prepared looking at the options which will go before a future meeting of the council for consideration by members.

"It is anticipated the report will go before committee in June.”

While virtual meetings have largely run smoothly, some have experienced high levels of disruption.

Council leader Stephen McCabe had to hold talks with chief executive Aubrey Fawcett in December after members endured multiple technical difficulties during a packed full council agenda.

Last week, neighbouring Renfrewshire Council agreed it would be launching so-called hybrid meetings from mid-August following the installation of new equipment at its headquarters.

This would see some councillors attend meetings in person while others would be asked to stay at home and dial in.

Inverclyde Council chiefs have said they do not have a set date for when in-person meetings will start up again and it’s unlikely anything will change until after the summer recess.