Agenda item

To receive a report on potential changes to the Electoral Cycle.

RECOMMENDATION: The Council is recommended to change the electoral cycle to all out elections every four years from 2024.

Please note that in order for the recommendation to be agreed, it requires two thirds of those Members present at the meeting, to vote in favour.

The Council considered a report regarding the Electoral Cycle.

The Mayor reminded Members that in order for the recommendation to be agreed, it required two thirds of those Members present at the meeting, to vote in favour.

The report was proposed by Clive Jones and seconded by Stephen Conway.

Clive Jones commented that the meeting marked the end of the process of considering whether the Council wished to move from elections by thirds to all out elections, every four years, which had begun prior to the Election.  He found himself in the unusual position of proposing a recommendation which he would be voting against.  Clive Jones felt that that elections by thirds provided a greater level of accountability, reduced the possibility of wholesale changes and losing a lot of experience at the same time, and gave the electorate more involvement in decision making.  He was of the view that all out elections disadvantaged smaller parties and independent candidates, and highlighted that retaining elections by thirds required all wards to be of the same size with three ward Members.

Andy Croy disagreed with the proposal to move to all out elections.  He highlighted the importance of moving to larger wards, which he believed created greater equity.

Keith Baker commented that 3,067 responses had been received to the consultation, only 1.08% of the Borough’s population.  In addition, the results had been close.  He referred to the number of comments made under each option.  He was of the view that cost should not be an influencer on how democracy was run.  Keith Baker believed that whilst Wokingham was only one of sixteen unitary councils which elected by thirds it was important to do what was right for residents and that elections every four years weakened democratic accountability.

Prue Bray expressed concerns around the consultation and many people’s understanding of it when responding.  She emphasised that four yearly elections tended to favour larger parties and highlighted some of the benefits of retaining elections by thirds. 

Gregor Murray felt that the consultation response highlighted that residents wanted to move to all out elections, and that this should not be ignored.  He emphasised that all residents had been given the opportunity to respond to the consultation. 

Gary Cowan commented that research into the benefits of the different electoral cycles was limited and that which did exist was from some time ago.  He disagreed that there was confusion amongst younger voters and those of black and ethnic minorities around the voting systems.

John Halsall emphasised that the Council could not continue with its current system.  He commented that it was more difficult for Councillors to be known by their residents within a larger ward and that they should be local champions.  He believed that moving to all out elections was in residents’ best interests and would save money.

Rachel Burgess felt that moving to all out elections would erode democracy and accountability.  She was of the view that the consultation material and consultation process had been flawed.

At this point in the meeting, 8.01pm, Prue Bray proposed that in accordance with Rule 4.2.12n) the time limit for the item (as set out in 4.2.2.1) be extended by 30 minutes to enable all those who wished to speak to the item to do so.  This was seconded by Stephen Conway.  Upon being put to the vote the proposal was agreed.

Pauline Jorgensen commented that the situation was finely balanced with arguments on both sides.  Whilst she personally liked elections by thirds and single Ward Members this was no longer an option.  Residents had responded to the consultation and indicated that they wished to move to all out elections.  With regards to the consultation material, Pauline Jorgensen emphasised that the wording of the consultation had been produced by the Monitoring Officer.

Pauline Helliar-Symons was of the view that moving to all out elections would save a considerable amount of money which could be spent on other valuable services.  Within her ward, Oaklands Schools had to close each time there was an election in order to be a polling station, which was very disruptive to children and their families.

Stephen Conway stated that consultations did not confer the same democratic mandates as elections did and that consultations helped Councillors to make an informed, rounded judgement.  With regards to the cost of the current system, identified by the Chief Financial Officer, many were intangible, mainly representing staff time, which would not constitute a cash saving should a change be made to the system.  The tangible saving estimated between 2024-27 of £316,000, represented an annual saving of £79,000. 

In accordance with Rule 4.2.15.5, a recorded vote was requested.  Voting was as follows.

RESOLVED:  That the proposed change to the electoral cycle to all out elections every four years from 2024, be not progressed.