AN EVER-increasing number of councillors are tuning into meetings via Microsoft Teams, rather than attending in-person.
Data revealed by The Press & Journal shows former council co-leader Alex Nicoll has only attended 25% of meetings since stepping down in May.
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Kairin van Sweeden, who resigned from the SNP following comments made to Deena Tissera in October, has yet to attend the Town House for a full council meeting as an independent councillor.
But Labour’s Gordon Graham has virtually accessed seven meetings since March, more than any other councillor.
A number of high-ranking councillors have been spotted in the Town House at every council meeting since March, according to the new data.
Co-leader Christian Allard boasts a 100% attendance record, as does Aberdeen Labour’s leader M Tauqeer Malik.
But despite a number of his colleagues scarcely attending, Allard has defended the use of Microsoft Teams in the chamber.
“It allows us to meet government ministers or attend conferences outside the city, while still being able to take an active role in council and committee meetings.”
