Agenda item

1)    Mr Watts, provided an outline of the initial planning and preparations for the election which were undertaken during lockdown. He highlighted some of the key challenges, such as building closures and the use of various election venues as vaccination and testing centres limiting the options. He thanked District colleagues for working with KCC and for their flexibility during the delivery of the election. Mr Watts also thanked the KCC Corporate Management Team and their Directorate staff for their assistance through the election process, the joint working was a good example of the organisation pulling together to support key priorities.

2)    Mr Watts highlighted the following key learning points: - It was important to recognise some of the challenges facing District and Borough teams at particular points in the process and this would be updated in the risk assessment for future elections. - Election template notices - Focused communication with local Returning Officers.

3)    Responding to Member comments and questions, Mr Watts and Ms Adam (Deputy Returning Officer), providing the following information:

a.    In clarifying progress with managing outstanding spending returns, Ms Adam explained that KCC had made appropriate contact with the relevant individuals but liaised as necessary with the Electoral Commission. No further action was required on the part of KCC but Member concerns were noted and the Returning Officer would highlight the concerns about criminal offences to Kent Police via the Head of Paid Service’s office and he would write to the Electoral Commission again to flag up the issue.

b.    It was confirmed that Dartford Borough Council was the one late returning area in terms of submission of accounts but it was highlighted that this was expected due to additional election pressures as it was acting as the Policing Area Returning Officer District. Members commented that Dartford performed well in the circumstances, responding well to the particular challenges of managing County and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

c.     Social media impact was a mixed element, with some very positive engagement with the voting public in terms of promotion of the election and increased awareness, along with reports of misuse or problematic weaponization of social media during and after campaigns.

d.    The role of current Members, including Dr Sullivan, was highlighted in supporting the ‘become a councillor events’ which provided an important insight into the role of elected Member for prospective candidates.

e.    All Members expressed support and thanks for the hard work of Officers at both District and County authorities.

4)    Members discussed the merits and disadvantages of a long term shift to increased online processing for election activity, with some Members supportive of enhanced online facilities and streamlining and others positive about the administrative aspects only being developed further for online use and the other activity continuing to require in person or written activity (e.g. voting, nominations for candidates). It was also noted that a reduction in the number of subscriber signatures to secure nomination for election should be maintained. Members also determined that a letter should be sent to the Electoral Commission outlining mixed views regarding the development of online election processes – with some support for expense recording and exploration of other options involving better use of online functionality but without commitment to change current processes.

RESOLVED that;

- The report be noted.

- The actions of the County Returning Officer in the 2021 KCC election be endorsed; and

- The praise for the election teams throughout Kent on their effective work in delivering the election be noted and endorsed.