A NEW petition has been launched to give authorities the power to hold virtual meetings. The current power to hold virtual meetings for local authorities expires on May 7, and councils have been informed that it will not be extended. Now though, member of the independent group in Eastleigh and Eastleigh Borough Councillor, Gin Tidridge, has put together a petition against the change. The councillor is calling for authorities to determine their own meeting formats, whether that be online or in person, and says mass indoor meetings will still be inappropriate in May. With her petition having gone live last Monday, it has currently been signed by 285 people, with fellow councillors and residents sharing links to the petition on social media.