Agenda item

Mark Gettleson (Election Engagement Manager) to be heard.

Mark Gettleson (Election Engagement Manager) provided an update for the Committee in respect of the City Corporation’s election engagement activities.

Members were advised that initial feedback about the voter registration process had indicated that a large majority of people were unclear about the City’s electoral processes, including voter registration and how to stand for election. Members were advised that significant progress had been made over recent months with the aim of enhancing provision of clear information about all aspects of the City’s electoral arrangements, particularly in an enhanced digital format.

It was noted that the new elections website (https://www.speakforthecity.com/) had recently gone live and information about this site was being promoted as widely as possible. Mr Gettleson provided a walk-through of the website which provided clear information about the registration process for both residents and workers in the City; it enabled individuals to check how many votes were allocated to a registered business and the key point of contact at the business; and it also provided clarification about the eligibility criteria and how to stand for election. Information about candidates would be accessible on the site in due course. It was noted that the aim was to direct as much traffic as possible so various tools and social media platforms would be used to profile the site. Information about the site and how to profile it would be shared with Members and officers across the organisation, particularly those departments that engaged with external stakeholders.  Members stressed the importance of corporate-wide input into this activity in order to maximise voter registration and promote greater diversity amongst future candidates.

Members were advised that enhanced functionality had been introduced which enabled officers to be proactive and follow up where responses were not received from individual businesses in respect of registration.  Ahead of the registration deadline of 16 December 2021, data processing was well underway, and it was evident that a large number of registrants had not features on the 2020 Ward Lists. It was noted that updated information from the City Occupier’s Database (COD) would be sent to each Alderman once the latest tranche of updates had been completed.

On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman thanked Mr Gettleson for his update.

Resolved:- That the update be noted.