Agenda item

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Council does not support the adoption of the Single Transferrable Vote system;

(b)       That an extension to a response on the Electoral Administration and Reform White Paper be requested and if accepted, and all Member workshop be arranged.  If the extension was rejected, the Deputy Returning Officer would submit a response in line with the views expressed by Members by 10^th January;

(c)        That the requirements of the Elections Act 2022 be noted, and the proposed steps to minimise potential disenfranchisement be approved; and

(d)       That a letter be sent to UK Government to express the concerns raised about the practicalities of costs of voter ID.

The Chief Officer (Governance) introduced the report and explained that in 2017, Welsh Government (WG) consulted on immediate priorities for reform in the Electoral Reform in Local Government in Wales White Paper.    Those immediate priorities were legislated for through the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 and the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.

One of the changes was that local authorities could decide to adopt the Single Transferrable Vote system for their elections, in place of the First Past the Post system.  Part one of the report explained the process involved.

Part two of the report explained the Electoral Administration and Reform White Paper and how WG were seeking to accelerate their reform agenda and comment what they described as an ambitious plan to modernise electoral administration in Wales.

The White Paper included proposals for:

·         Promoting engagement in elections

·         Making standing for election safer and more straight forward

·         Legislation to modernise the administration of elections

·         Legislation to improve the conduct of electoral and community reviews for local government

·         Legislation to consolidate electoral law

·         Longer-term propositions for electoral reform to support Welsh democracy in the future

The closing date for consultation responses was 10^th January 2023.

Part three of the report summarised the Elections Act 2022, which received Royal Assent in April 2022 and was applicable for UK Parliamentary and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

The impact of the Elections Act 2022 created divergence in Wales which were highlighted in the report.

One of the changes was that local authorities could decide to adopt the Single Transferrable Vote (STV) system for their elections, in place of the First Past the Post system.  Part one of the report explained the process involved.

The Chief Officer (Governance) explained further that currently first past the post system was used for County Council elections.  The Council could move to STV and further guidance would be provided by WG regarding this and clarity on the quota.  If Council wanted STV then a boundary review would need to be undertaken first. That would mean wards of between three and six Members.

Councillor Roberts moved the recommendations of the report which was seconded by Councillor Johnson.

Councillor Roberts expressed some concerns on the requirement for voter ID which could put pressure on the team with late registrations.  He said the highest turnout at elections was UK Government which operated first past the post.  Welsh Government (WG) elections had a considerably lower turnout and the process operated for the Police and Crime Commissioner elections was confusing.  He was opposed to large multi member wards commenting on the importance of the connection between local Members and their community.  He suggested an all-Member workshop to progress what was required, and asked if the deadline of 10^th January could be extended.  The Chief Officer (Governance) said a request could be made to extend the deadline and if that was not approved, views from the meeting today would form part of the response.  A Member workshop could be arranged as suggested to identify key issues.

As seconder, Councillor Johnson supported the request to extend the deadline as the document was very detailed and a measured response was required. 

Members from across the Chamber made comments on aspects of the document with most supporting first past the post and concurring with the comments of Councillor Roberts on the importance of Members retaining local representation.

            The Chief Officer (Governance) said that an extension to the deadline would be sought and if approved, an all-Member workshop would be arranged.

            Commenting on the recommendations, Councillor Roberts suggested a fourth to read “that a letter be sent to UK Government to express the concerns raised about the practicalities of costs of voter ID” which was supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Council does not support the adoption of the Single Transferrable Vote system;

(b)       That an extension to a response on the Electoral Administration and Reform White Paper be requested and if accepted, and all Member workshop be arranged.  If the extension was rejected, the Deputy Returning Officer would submit a response in line with the views expressed by Members by 10^th January;

(c)        That the requirements of the Elections Act 2022 be noted, and the proposed steps to minimise potential disenfranchisement be approved; and

(d)       That a letter be sent to UK Government to express the concerns raised about the practicalities of costs of voter ID.