Agenda item

Voting Task and Finish Group

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report that sought approval for commissioning a Task & Finish Group to examine the security of voting and youth participation. 

 

The recommendation followed the discussion on votes at 16 at the last meeting of the Committee and the subsequent Council resolution of 24th April 2018 to support the principle of voting at 16 in principle and to request that a Scrutiny Task & Finish Group be established “…to examine and propose practical measures to improve the security of the ballot, including potentially voter identification, and promote youth participation.

 

It was noted that a range of differing views had been expressed by Members at both the Committee and Council meetings on the principle of votes of 16 and the distinct issues of voter identification and youth participation.  A Member suggested that as securing the ballot and youth participation were separate issues, two Task & Finish Groups would be required.  Other Members expressed the view that a single Task & Finish Group would be able to explore both of these issues and formulate any appropriate recommendations.  The group would be composed of seven members and would be politically proportionate.  The terms of reference would be approved by the Committee, electronically if required, and would be reported to the next meeting.  In order to ensure any appropriate changes could be implemented in time for elections in May 2019, it was agreed that the Task & Finish aim to complete its work and make any recommendations by the Autumn.

 

At the conclusion of the discussion, the establishment of a single Task & Finish Group on security of the ballot and youth participation was put to the vote.  Five Members voted for the proposal, one against with two abstentions.  The proposal was therefore carried.

 

Resolved –  That a Task & Finish Group examining the security of the ballot and the promotion of youth participation be established.

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