Agenda item

The Committee discussed a report on the current national proposals to reduce the age of the national franchise to sixteen.  The devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales had or would consider lowering the voting age for some electoral events and this had reopened a similar debate in England.  It was noted that the Council had passed a motion on 21^st April 2015 that supported the principle of votes for 16 and 17 year olds.

Councillors Strutton, Pantelic and Sadiq addressed the Committee under Rule 30 and Members had a wide ranging discussion during which a number of different points of view were expressed.  The was strong support from most Members for a reduction to the voting age in principle, however, some Members also felt the changes should be part of a wider package of reform which included the use of voter identification and measures to improve engagement in the democratic process.  The excellent work of the Slough Youth Parliament was highlighted and Members specifically noted the very high levels of turnout in their elections which was evidence of a high level of engagement and interest of young people.  It was recognised that the voting age could only be lowered if there was a change in legislation and it was noted that there were campaigns to this end and a Private Member’s Bill currently in the House of Commons.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Committee agreed to make a recommendation that full Council debate the matter on 24^th April 2018.  The Committee would recommend that the principle of lowering the national voting age be supported with the Council taking a proactive role in supporting appropriate campaigns on this matter.  It was also proposed and agreed that a scrutiny task and finish group be established to take forward the practical measures associated and that this would also examine and make proposals on the practical steps that could be taken to increase the security of the electoral process, which would potentially include the use of voter identification at polling stations.  The task and finish group would also be asked to consider what could be done to promote youth participation in any campaign, local consultation and/or the democratic process more widely if the voting age was lowered.

Recommended –  That the Council resolve to support the principle of reducing the national voting age to 16; take an active leadership role in any appropriate campaign(s) to further this objective; and request scrutiny to establish a task and finish group to examine and propose practical measures to improve the security of the ballot, including potentially voter identification, and promote youth participation.