Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

A motion was brought to the council meeting on 30 March 2023 regarding the new Voter ID legislation and there was a resolution that a report be brought to the CRMG Scrutiny committee on the cost and impact the legislation has had on Stockport.

The Cabinet is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources (Councillor Jilly Julian) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) relating to the cost and impact the new Voter ID legislation has had on Stockport.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

This report is in response to the motion made at the Council meeting on 30 March 2023 which to:

1)    utilise all existing channels and means of communication to supplement the publicity campaign by the Electoral Commission to make more voters aware of the need to show photo ID at polling stations in the May 2023 local elections and beyond; and

2)    bring a report to the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee, on the cost and impact this unnecessary legislation has had on Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended note the report.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 4631 or by email on vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) in response to the motion made at the Council meeting on 30 March 2023 which was to:

1) utilise all existing channels and means of communication to supplement the publicity campaign by the Electoral Commission to make more voters aware of the need to show photo ID at polling stations in the May 2023 local elections and beyond; and

2) bring a report to the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee, on the cost and impact this unnecessary legislation had on Stockport.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Officers were thanked for producing such a detailed report and members commented that the Electoral Office and its staff had done an impressive job in relation to the challenges presented by voter ID and boundary changes.

·         It was noted that the depth of the report included areas which could not be quantified such as those people who might have been put off voting altogether due to the voter ID regulations.

·         It was intended that the report would combine with others in a joint response to Government on the impact of these measures.

·         Members expressed their deep concern about the voter ID policy, in particular the way it had been introduced. There was anecdotal evidence of a voter having been turned away for having incorrect ID.

·         Members expressed concern that the agenda for this policy had been to purposely disenfranchise voters.

·         At this stage, the effect of the policy on turnout was unknown and further research was required.

·         There had been a financial impact upon the Council in terms of providing ID to voters.

·         Members queried why the Council had expected 4,000 applications for voter ID but had received only 478. In response, it was stated that the granularity of data had not yet been obtained and it was not known what had put people off from applying for ID, however it was the government who had come up with the figure of 4,000 and it was felt that Stockport had carried out an effective campaign relating to voter ID and it had expected a lot of applications.

·         Further research was intended to take place on the impact upon individual wards to determine whether some had been more affected than others.

·         The ambition of the Council was to ensure as much engagement as possible and fewer disenfranchised voters.

·         Members queried the impact of boundary changes upon voter turnout; at present data on that subject was limited but it was intended that the matter be explored further.

·         Members queried the future provision of postal voting, and it was stated that the promotion of postal voting was a decision for Cabinet.

·         Members commented that the system of counting votes the day after polling had worked well.

RESOLVED  -  That the report be noted.