Leading Labour councillor Judi Billing has called for an opportunity for councillors to scrutinise plans for the re-opening of schools, before the start of the autumn term.

Cllr Billing, who is leader of the Labour group on Hertfordshire County Council, says she has been contacted by parents, teachers and school staff.

She has asked for an urgent meeting of the county council’s 'special cabinet panel' so their concerns can be discussed.

She says that at lack of clear advice is leading to worry and confusion.

The party leader says that while parents "desperately" want their children to return to the classroom, they are nervous too.

She said: "This is a huge moment for the children of Hertfordshire and their parents. And we shouldn’t be taking it so lightly when these families are coping with different advice that changes every day."

Cllr Billing stresses that in the current situation she does not expect there to be "full clarity", but she says she is concerned that there is "no clear advice".

And, by example, she points to uncertainty around the requirement to wear face coverings in schools.

However executive member for education Cllr Terry Douris has ruled out an additional meeting.

He says schools have already been issued with a great deal of advice, information and guidance in relation to Covid-19.

With a meeting of the education, libraries and localism cabinet panel already scheduled for September 8, Cllr Douris said there was nothing to be gained by an additional meeting.

He said he understood that parents may be nervous, but he said evidence suggested that school was now "a very safe place to be".

He said the chance of any child, particularly at primary school, picking up the virus at school was "minute". 

He said, if there was a danger action would be taken.