The first physical meeting of Swindon Borough Council since before lockdown started in March last year is due to be held on Friday.

It is also the authority’s first meeting since the local elections and will involve the election of the leader, the mayor and deputy, as well as the adoption of the meeting calendar for the next municipal year.

It will be held in the council chamber in Euclid Street, but will also be broadcast on the web, as meetings have been since they restarted in May 2020.

The agenda for Friday’s session lists rules and guidance for all attendees.

The council’s website says: "Only absolutely necessary participants should physically attend meetings and should maintain social distancing. There will be stewards both outside and inside the venue to guide you. If you have any symptoms, please do not come to the venue."

Members of the public will be asked to provide their contact details for track and trace purposes and if possible, to complete two symptom free tests in the week before the meeting.

Officers and councillors are instructed: “Sit only in your assigned seat; do not move about during the meeting. Avoid sharing pens, documents and other objects. Use the hand sanitizer facilities on entering the building. Follow the one-way system in and out of the venue.”

Stewards will be on had to ensure distancing and there will be staggered exits after the meeting.

Masks must be worn by all those who are not exempt or when speaking in the meeting.

The 21 councillors elected at the start of May will be signed onto the council- including 12 members new to the chamber and appointments will be made to the authority’s committees.

The meeting starts at 2.30pm on Friday. The livestream of the meeting will be activated at the start.