Meeting documents

Elections and Democratic Structures Committee
Tuesday, 13th September, 2011 10.00 am

DONCASTER METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL

DONCASTER METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL

 

ELECTIONS AND DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURES COMMITTEE

 

13TH SEPTEMBER, 2011

 

 

A meeting of the ELECTIONS AND DEMOCRACTIC STRUCTURES COMMITTEE was held at the MANSION HOUSE, DONCASTER on TUESDAY, 13TH SEPTEMBER, 2011 at 10.00 a.m.

 

PRESENT:

 

Chair – Councillor Kevin Rodgers

Vice-Chair – Councillor Moira Hood

 

Councillors Patricia Bartlett, Marilyn Green, Cliff Hampson, Rachel Hodson, Deborah Hutchinson, John McHale, Bill Mordue and Sue Wilkinson.

 

APOLOGIES:

 

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Joe Blackham

 

 

 

6.

DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PREJUDICIAL INTEREST, IF ANY.

 

 

 

No declarations were made at the meeting.

 

 

7.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON THE 6TH JULY, 2011.

 

 

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 6th July, 2011, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

 

 

8.

COMBINED LOCAL ELECTIONS, PROPOSED REFERENDUM ON CHANGE OF GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS AND POSSIBLE POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER ELECTIONS 3RD MAY 2012 – PREPARATION.

 

 

 

The Committee considered a further report on the preparation towards the Combined Local Elections, proposed Referendum on the change of Governance arrangements and the possible Police and Crime Commissioner Elections on the 3rd May 2012.

 

 

 

It was reported that following the Council’s decision that it wished to hold a referendum, further work has been undertaken including the drafting of consultation documentation. To ensure that the proposed action and the consultation material comply with legislation, Counsel’s opinion has been sought. Counsel has advised that the requirement to consult includes consulting on whether a referendum should be held and the Council will need to take any responses into account before finally deciding whether to proceed with a referendum. It was stated that this information would reported in more detail to the Council on 15th September, 2011.

 

 

 

It was also reported that the Police Commissioner Elections that had been expected to take place in May 2012, would now more likely take place in November 2012.

 

 

 

Members raised concerns with regard to the consultation period, why it is needed and the cost of carrying out the exercise. It was reported that it is a statutory requirement to carry out consultation to ensure that local views can be taken into consideration when taking the decision whether or not to proceed with a referendum. With regard to the cost, it was reported that provision had been made within the 2012 budget for the cost of the election.

 

 

 

Concern was also raised with regard to the consultation document and whether there was sufficient time for the Committee to have their input before the consultation process began. It was stated that the approval of the document lay with the Chief Executive, although Group Leaders had been consulted on the contents of the document.

 

 

 

RESOLVED that the report be approved.