Powys Council could move to a mix of face-to-face and online meetings after the coronavirus pandemic is over.

The council's cabinet met via the web on Tuesday, and discussed plans for the future of working after the pandemic has passed.

Head of transformation and communications Emma Palmer said: “We’re embracing digital technology and there are a number of benefits we have learned.

“Cabinet will be asked to endorse the next steps which include papers being provided on the future operation of council meetings, and a potential new operating model on how we deliver frontline services.”

Council Leader Cllr Rosemarie Harris said some “big decisions” needed to be made in the next few weeks, which includes school transformation.

Cllr Harris said: “We can see that there are opportunities of change on the horizon.

“Some of our staff have worked from home right the way the pandemic and will continue to do so.”

She added that the working normal after the pandemic could see staff “blend” their week with working from home and spending some time in the office.

The Recovery Planning report said that the benefits of holding virtual meetings include shorter, more focussed meetings, saving travelling time and costs, and better public access to meetings beyond those of the cabinet or the full council, which were already streamed online.

Powys became a trailblazer authority for holding online meetings even before the pandemic and has been praised by the Welsh Audit Office for doing so.

Due to the foresight of Cllr Pete Roberts, (Llandrindod South – Liberal Democrats) a motion was supported at a council meeting on March 5 ,which allowed some meetings to be held online.

Meetings of the Democratic Services, and Audit committee were held online before the UK lockdown on March 23.