Agenda item
Implementation of Electoral Commission Recommendations
(To follow)
Minutes:
The Committee received and noted a report that provided Members with an update on planning work that has been undertaken so far for the UK Parliamentary election to be held on 7th May, 2015. The report focussed mainly on the plans for the verification and counting of votes, in order to comply with the timetable set out by the Electoral Commission. Amongst other things, the Commission’s report of July 2014 recommended that the outline plans should be subject to consultation with local parties before being firmed up at the beginning of December.
It was noted that the proposals in this report are therefore currently the subject of consultation with all interested parties. In addition, the Committee was informed that further rounds of consultation would address other aspects of the election plans including integrity and security measures, absent (postal and proxy) voting and the management and policing of polling stations on Election Day. The discussions on the report are outlined as follows.
The Committee:
- Discussed the various benefits on the location of any future election count within or outside of the Borough e.g. considering the size and complexity of any future elections;
- Recognised the benefits of locating the count at a venue that can be effectively managed.
- Noted that the intention is at future counts to use independent professional security staff, rather than Council officers, to manage the reception area and entrance to the event.
- Noted and welcomed the recommendation that photographic I/D evidence will be required to secure entry to the count and reinforcement of the rule that no person who is not on the authorised list of attendees will be permitted to enter the count;
- Wished to see the provision of guidance for candidates/election agents on the process/procedures at the count. Therefore, the Committee welcomed the proposal that all attendees at the verification and count will be required to sign a Code of Conduct that will set out the standards of behaviour expected of them and will be a condition of entry;
- Felt that the quality/skills of the staff employed to undertake the count was of great importance. Therefore, the Committee was pleased to note that the recruitment and training of count staff will begin earlier, and the training will be more comprehensive, ensuring that it fully complements the requirements and Code of Conduct for the candidates, election and counting agents and others entitled to attend the proceedings;
- Acknowledged that although not located within Tower Hamlets, the proposed ExCel centre venue is close to the Borough boundary and is easily accessible by public transport (and for the purposes of delivery of ballot boxes, by car). In addition, it was noted that the ExCel has been used successfully as a count venue at previous elections including the London Mayoral and Assembly elections in 2008 and 2012; and by L. B. Newham Council for local and mayoral elections. As no suitable venue had been identified in the Borough a majority of Members of the Committee supported the use of ExCel although Councillors Mahbub Alam, Abjol Miah and Muhammad Ansar Mustaquim did not, as they considered the count should be held within Tower Hamlets.
- Agreed that there were benefits in bringing in count staff early so as to undertake a practice run of the count;
- Supported the intention that an experienced senior election official be appointed as a consultant to advise on and oversee the development and implementation of the count plans in order to ensure that the proper focus is maintained on the count-related work. The consultant it was noted would work with a dedicated member of the Facilities Team to ensure the effective management of the count as an event - i.e. venue liaison, communications, refreshments, set up of equipment, layout, logistics and contractor liaison, transfer of ballot boxes etc.
It was
Resolved
- To note the report and that the points raised in tonight’s discussions would be fed into the consultation process, and that a further update on other elements of preparation for the election would be provided at the February meeting of the Committee.
Supporting documents:
- Report OSC GPC December 2014 - Election 2015, item 7.3 PDF 94 KB
- Count plans 2015 and ARO response to Electoral Commission recommendations, item 7.3 PDF 187 KB
- Count operational plan DRAFT V1 November 2014, item 7.3 PDF 217 KB