Issue - meetings

The Committee received a report from the Electoral Services Manager regarding the Review of Elections 2021

In response to the report the Committee thanked the Electoral Services Manager and the Electoral Team for the mammoth effort it had taken to organise the four elections during COVID-19, the hard work was appreciated.

The pandemic had disrupted the usual planning of the electoral process and staff were to be commended for the way in which they had ensured the delivery of a successful election(s). It was noted the additional work that had been carried out, the mitigation measures in place to safeguard both staff, politicians, and voters, making sure of social distancing at the polling booths and the count, the introduction of new ways of working while having to deal with the usual workloads.

The Electoral Services Manager confirmed the virtual briefings and staff training had worked well and welcomed the introduction of the timed delivery of nomination papers.

Confirmed that the Presiding Officer had the power to remove disruptive individuals off private land, whether inside or outside. If those individuals were on public land outside of the private boundary it would become a police matter.

The count venue had been relocated out of the Guildhall and feedback received from staff and election agents had been largely positive. Any negative feedback had stemmed from measures in place because of COVID-19 so could be addressed and dealt with in time for the next election count.

Due to the boundary changes there were relationships which were yet to be established with the administrators of the new polling stations, but these would develop with time. 

In response to a question why residents living opposite St Philip Howard Polling Station could not use it.  The Electoral Services Manager advised this would be looked into and a response given outside of the meeting.

Committee Manager note: St Philip Howard polling station was not a polling station on 6 May, as the Council had been refused use of it during the pandemic. This meant electors living nearby needed to be relocated to the next closest station. Following the polling district review, it was identified as the polling station for those in the immediate vicinity and barring no further refusal by St. Phillip Howard, it will be those elector’s polling station in May 2022.

The Electoral Services Manager asked for her thanks to be recorded for the work of Andrew Grant, Returning Officer (RO) and the support provided by the County RO. Also emphasised the resilience of the counting staff, and especially the count supervisors, who worked such long hours and maintained COVID-19 measures.

The Committee

NOTED the report.