Agenda item

To consider notices of motions submitted under Procedure Rule 16 in such order as the Mayor shall direct.  The motions received for this meeting are attached.

The following motion had been submitted by Councillor Kasumu and was seconded by Councillor Hellyer

“We are all aware of the pressures on council finances. As we strive to optimise our resources, it has become evident that there is a significant opportunity to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and streamline our operations through a transition from elections by thirds to all-out elections.

Currently, our council operates under a system where a portion of council seats are contested every year, bar one, resulting in annual election-related expenditures and administrative efforts. This approach, while providing regular opportunities for electoral participation, has proven to be costly and resource intensive.

We are all aware of low turnout at local elections. By transitioning to all-out elections, we would consolidate our electoral efforts to once every four years, aligning with the county elections in 2025 and then subsequent county elections. This strategic alignment would not only lead to substantial cost savings by reducing the frequency of elections but would also enhance voter turnout and engagement, as history has shown higher participation rates during consolidated election cycles.

This Council therefore will:

1.      Initiate a Comprehensive Review: Conduct a thorough analysis of the potential cost savings, logistical considerations, and any legal or procedural implications associated with transitioning to all-out elections.

2.      Engage with the Community: Launch a robust public engagement campaign to involve and listen to residents’ views on the proposed change, gather their input, and address any concerns or questions they may have.

3.      Develop a Transition Plan: Based on the findings of the comprehensive review and community engagement efforts, formulate a transition plan outlining the steps, timelines, and resources required to implement all-out elections in alignment with the county elections in 2025.

4.      Ensure Legal and Procedural Compliance: Legal and election officers to ensure that the transition plan adheres to all applicable laws, regulations, and best practices.

5.      Report Back to Council: Present the findings, community feedback, transition plan, and any recommendations to the council for further deliberation, modifications if necessary, and final approval within 6 months.”

The following amendment to the motion was submitted by Councillor Broach and was seconded by Councillor Bonfante

“We are all aware of the pressures on council finances. As we strive to optimise our resources, it has become evident that there is a significant opportunity to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and streamline our operations through a transition from elections by thirds to all-out elections.

Currently, our council operates under a system where a portion of council seats are contested every year, bar one, resulting in annual election-related expenditures and administrative efforts. This approach, while providing regular opportunities for electoral participation, has proven to be costly and resource intensive.

We are all aware of low turnout at local elections. By transitioning to all-out elections, we would consolidate our electoral efforts to once every four years, aligning with the county elections in 2025 and then subsequent county elections. This strategic alignment would not only lead to substantial cost savings by reducing the frequency of elections but would also enhance voter turnout and engagement, as history has shown higher participation rates during consolidated election cycles.  Should the Council decide to move to a model of all-out elections, we should also take the opportunity to review ward boundaries, to take account of the large amount of development that has taken place since our last boundary review in 2016 (such as High View in Hatfield, and Broadwater Road in WGC). 

This Council therefore will:

6.      Initiate a Comprehensive Review: Conduct a thorough analysis of the potential cost savings, logistical considerations (including resource needed for potential boundary reviews), and any legal or procedural implications associated with transitioning to all-out elections.

7.      Engage with the Community: Launch a robust public engagement campaign to involve and listen to residents’ views on the proposed change, gather their input, and address any concerns or questions they may have. Establish how the electorate and wider community should be consulted/engaged (or are required to by law), and establish the broadest reasonable evidence base of residents views on the proposed change, gather their input, and address any concerns or questions they may have.

8.      Develop a Transition Plan: Based on the findings of the comprehensive review and community engagement efforts, formulate a transition plan outlining the steps, timelines, and resources required to implement all-out elections in alignment with the county elections in 2025. Should the outcome of the engagement process be favourable, and the decision to proceed be agreed, a cross-party working group will be set up to ensure a seamless transfer to all out elections and to gain cross-party input

9.      Ensure Legal and Procedural Compliance: Legal and election officers to ensure that the transition plan adheres to all applicable laws, regulations, and best practices.

10.   Report Back to Council: Present the findings, community feedback, transition plan, and any recommendations to the council for further deliberation, modifications if necessary, and final approval within 6 months.”The Cross Party Working Group will report their findings, progress and recommendations back to Council for final approval”.

Following discussion, the amendment to the motion was put to the meeting:

(For the amendment – unanimous)

The amendment to the motion was CARRIED.

The following substantive motion (as amended) was then considered:

“We are all aware of the pressures on council finances. As we strive to optimise our resources, it has become evident that there is a significant opportunity to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and streamline our operations through a transition from elections by thirds to all-out elections.

Currently, our council operates under a system where a portion of council seats are contested every year, bar one, resulting in annual election-related expenditures and administrative efforts. This approach, while providing regular opportunities for electoral participation, has proven to be costly and resource intensive.

We are all aware of low turnout at local elections. By transitioning to all-out elections, we would consolidate our electoral efforts to once every four years.

Should the Council decide to move to a model of all-out elections, we should also take the opportunity to review ward boundaries, to take account of the large amount of development that has taken place since our last boundary review in 2016 (such as High View in Hatfield, and Broadwater Road in WGC). 

This Council therefore will:

1.     Initiate a Comprehensive Review: Conduct a thorough analysis of what any cost savings could be over a four year period, logistical considerations (including resource needed for potential boundary reviews), and any legal or procedural implications associated with transitioning to all-out elections.

2.     Establish how the electorate and wider community should be consulted/engaged (or are required to by law), and establish the broadest reasonable evidence base of residents views on the proposed change, gather their input, and address any concerns or questions they may have.

3.     Should the outcome of the engagement process be favourable, and the decision to proceed be agreed, a cross-party working group will be set up to ensure a seamless transfer to all out elections and to gain cross-party input.

4.     Ensure Legal and Procedural Compliance: Legal and election officers to ensure that the transition plan adheres to all applicable laws, regulations, and best practices.

5.     The cross party working group will report their findings, progress and recommendations back to Council for final approval.”

On being put to the meeting:

(For the motion – unanimous)

The substantive motion as amended was carried.