Contact your Parish Council

MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

GENERAL PURPOSES GROUP

8 JULY 2010

REPORT OF THE HEAD OF DEMOCRATIC SERVICES

Report prepared by Neil Harris 

1.           WHOLE COUNCIL ELECTIONS

1.1        Issue for Decision

1.1.1   To consider the text setting out information regarding whole council elections which is to be published as part of the consultation on whole council elections.

1.2        Recommendation of the Head of Democratic Services

1.2.1 That the Group consider the text setting out the information regarding whole council elections which is to be published as part of the consultation process seeking the views of the public on the proposal to change to whole council elections.

1.3        Reasons for Recommendation

1.3.1   At the meeting on 11 March 2010 the Committee agreed the proposal from Electoral Reform Services (“ERS”) for consulting the electorate on the proposal to change to whole council elections through the electoral registration canvass.  It was agreed that the leaflet to be issued as part of the consultation would come back to the Committee before publication.

1.3.2   A copy of the leaflet is now attached to this report and the Group’s comments are sought.  Once the comments are received these will be returned to ERS and it will then be sent out with the consultation during the canvas. Following the consultation ERS will compile the result and that will then be submitted to an extraordinary council meeting in November.

1.4        Alternative Action and why not Recommended

1.4.1   The Group could decide to accept the contents of the leaflet as it has been prepared by an independent body.

1.5        Impact on Corporate Objectives

1.5.1   If there is no change to whole council elections, there is no direct impact but if the change takes place it means any election result and possible change in administration would be in place for four years.

1.6        Risk Management

         None.

1.7        Other Implications

1.7.1    

1.7.2   The cost of the proposal from ERS is £8,500, but this will be funded from the savings arising out of the combination of the Parliamentary and Borough elections on 6 May 2010.

1.7.3   Appendix

Leaflet

1.7.4   Background Documents

None

IS THIS A KEY DECISION REPORT? X     Yes                                               No     If yes, when did it first appear in the Forward Plan?   ..     This is a Key Decision because: ..   .       Wards/Parishes affected: ..   ..