Issue - meetings

That the report be noted.

The Chief Executive, as the Returning Officer, congratulated all Members on their election to the Council.  He presented the report on the County Council Elections which had taken place on 4^th May 2017. 

The report confirmed that the local elections were conducted in accordance with elections law, guidance and common practice, and to the performance standards set for the Returning Officers, and provided details of the election results and the political composition of the Council. 

He thanked the Deputy Returning Officer, the Elections Team, candidates, agents and party activists for their involvement in the election and he commented on the increasing difficulty in the process due to the growth in social media.

He also thanked new and returning members for the involvement in the induction sessions.

Councillor Peers and Paul Shotton thanked the Elections Team for their help during the election and also to the Returning Officer, Deputy Returning Officer, polling station staff and count staff.

Councillor Peers commented on the distasteful and derogatory comments of the First Minister prior to the election on Independent candidates.  He had written to the First Minister seeking an apology but had not received one to date.

Councillor Carolyn Thomas said there was an error in the appendix to the report as she had stood as a Labour candidate.  The Chief Executive apologised for this.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.