In a statement,the council confirmed residents wanting to submit questions or petitions would now have to do so online,with the public gallery closed until further notice. However,meetings will continue to be streamed online.
It said the council was disappointed it had to take the decision in response to “recurring abusive behaviour”.
“Over recent months,there has been a consistent and increasing pattern of verbal abuse,intimidation and anti-social behaviour demonstrated by some members of the public gallery during council meetings,” the statement said.
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The council said its decision was supported by local government laws,which allowed it to close a meeting for security reasons or if it was necessary to continue the meeting in an orderly manner.
Groups who believe conspiracy theories about 5G technology and the urban planning concept of 15-minute cities have increasingly protested at local councils in the past six months.
Many believe councils have secret plans to lock residents in their suburbs,limit their movements and monitor them around the clock.