Agenda item

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning the City-wide elections currently scheduled for March 2021 and the possibility of moving the date of the election to later in 2021 or 2022.

During debate and questions on this item, the following points were noted:

·           It was accepted that the realities of the current COVID-19 situation meant that conducting the canvass in September 2020 would compromise the safety both of canvassers and voters, as well as being ineffective. Businesses were also likely to be preoccupied with other matters at this point in time and the registration process for business voters would likely be impacted. The process would, therefore, be extremely unlikely to be able to achieve credible elector lists for March 2021, resulting in a poor turnout and a significant reputational risk.

·           A Member expressed the view that the report did not sufficiently advance an argument for continuing to hold the elections in March 2021 and voiced their concern in relation to the risk of not being shown to grant sufficient consideration to this. However, on balance, it was felt that the practicalities precluded proceeding with this approach. 

·           In response to queries in relation to canvassing timetables, it was clarified that the Greater London Authority and London Borough Elections had a different canvass cut-off date, with the City Corporations’ date being different and fixed by primary legislation.

·           It was noted that the Court of Aldermen had delayed taking a decision on their elections, pending the outcome of today’s discussions.

·           In considering how long to delay the elections, Members noted the possibility of a second spike of the pandemic in late 2020 or early 2021, which would then require the further postponement of any July 2021 elections to 2022 in any event. It was, therefore, felt that delay until March 2022 would be more appropriate and prudent.

·           It was clarified that, were the elections to be postponed until 2022, the ensuing terms of office would run for three years (rather than the usual four) to maintain the established electoral cycle. 

·           A Member suggested that a new and more robust register might be used to inform consideration of representation within Wards and a potential reallocation of Members. 

·           Whilst the situation in general was far from ideal, Members reflected that the delay presented an opportunity to significantly improve the registration process and encourage far greater participation in City elections. It was asked that robust efforts be placed into exploring the digitisation of the registration process, as well as communication with businesses, to significantly increase the business vote registration; it was also suggested that mechanisms for electoral voting should be explored seriously, with the possibility for the City to take the lead in modernising the entire voting process ahead of the rest of the UK.

·           It was confirmed that new software had indeed recently been purchased as a first step in digitising the registration process, to enable this to be in place for next year. 

·           In relation to queries around next steps, the Town Clerk confirmed that any change would be effected by a Bill for Act of Common Council. This would be drafted over the Summer in order to allow it to be submitted to the Court in September. The Bill would be subject to three readings, with completion expected in October 2020.

In concluding the debate, Members confirmed the request for a more detailed report on digital registration and what could be done to drive an improvement in the level of business voter registration, as well as the quality of information held and a greater sense the level of turnover on a ward list over a given period. The report should also begin to examine the options for an electronic voting system. 

RESOLVED: That:-

1.         A Bill for Act of Common Council be produced and submitted to the Court of Common Council, recommending that the City-wide elections in March 2021 be moved to March 2022.

2.         The impact of COVID-19 on voter registration in respect of the preparation of the Ward Lists be noted.

3.         The Town Clerk be instructed to produce a further report on improvements to the registration and voting process.