Agenda item

The Committee considered a report which provided Members with detailed information and results of the combined Mayoral. Borough, Parish, Police and Crime Commissioner and Edenthorpe Neighbourhood Planning Referendum elections, held on Thursday, 6th May, 2021.

Trina Barber, Electoral Services Manager in presenting the report, advised that in February 2021, the Government had confirmed that the elections were to take place on 6th May, 2021.  The Electoral Services Team had set in train planning for the elections in November, 2020. Due to Covid-19, the Government had provided local authorities with additional funding to directly address the costs associated with making the elections Covid-19 secure, with Doncaster receiving £101,823.

It was highlighted that Doncaster had the highest number of elections in the South Yorkshire region and one of the highest across the country (all-out Council Borough elections, the Doncaster Mayoral election, all-out Parish elections for all 304 seats and the delayed 2020 South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Election, and Edenthorpe Neighbourhood Planning Referendum).

The Electoral Services Manager highlighted the logistical challenges faced by the Elections team in running all five elections simultaneously this year and in a safe and Covid-19 compliant environment, including, problems with sourcing and booking of polling stations and count venues and the appointment and training of a high number of polling station staff.

The Electoral Services Manager outlined the main points within the report with regard to combining the Mayoral, Borough Councillors and Police and Crime Commissioner Elections into one postal voting pack, the outcome of each election, including the number of postal vote packs rejected, the number of candidates, the number of electors who had cast their vote on polling day, the number of polling stations, the number of electors who had voted by post, the number of ballot papers verified and the total turnout in percentages.  Appendix A to the report provided a breakdown of the results for each election.

To conclude the presentation of the report, the Electoral Services Manager highlighted the number of positive comments made by candidates, agents and staff in relation to the election process.

During discussion of the report, the Electoral Services Manager and Monitoring Officer answered a range of questions from Members including the following:-

·      In response to a question from a Member, the Electoral Services Manager advised that there had been no reported cases involving attempted electoral voter fraud at polling stations in Doncaster.  All staff were fully trained to be competent in their required duties on polling stations and were advised to record any instances of potential voter fraud in the log books provided if any issues arose at the elections. Staff were also provided with business cards to report any issues. In the event of any fraudulent behaviour taking place, staff are instructed to inform the Electoral Services Team. It was further reported that postal votes were delivered at polling stations throughout the day, but no issues had been reported.

·      Arising from a question whether there would be any changes to legislation to make voter photo identification mandatory for voters when voting in elections as a means of tackling electoral fraud and whether this would potentially create more work for election staff having to verify electors ID, it was explained that the Bill regarding the introduction of voter photo ID cards and how the scheme would work in practice was yet to be considered by Parliament. It was anticipated that for those electors who were not able to provide some form of identification to vote, local authorities would be given funding from the Government for the creation and issuing of voter photo ID cards.  Voters would be able to apply for a free voter card from their local authority to use in polling stations. It was noted that polling staff would need training on the proposed changes and additional time would be needed at polling stations for people to show their ID. Further work would be required by the Council to assess the impacts of any change in law.

·      A Member advised the Committee that he had been informed by a number of residents in various wards that due to changes in polling stations locations it had made voting more difficult by not necessarily having a polling station on the ‘doorstep.  He asked if an analysis of turnout in previous years could be undertaken to ascertain if these changes had a detrimental impact on voter turnout.

    The Electoral Services Manager informed Members that due to Covid-19, a number of buildings the Council would normally use as a polling station had been closed, in addition Public Health England had advised against the use of portable units.  In these circumstances, the Council had little alternative but to have polling stations in the buildings used. Due to the pressing timescale, it was not possible to carry out the usual consultation on relocating polling stations.  She confirmed that a comparison of voter turn-out in areas where changes to polling stations locations had been made would be undertaken, but it was confirmed that the overall turnout of 28.2% was not unusual for Doncaster.  It was also highlighted that turnout was dependent upon voter engagement and that this varied substantially dependent upon the type of election.

    Scott Fawcus, Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services stated that all electors who had been affected by a change in polling station location had been notified of the change on their polling card letter that outlined various methods of voting. Adverts had also been published in the local press and information posted on social media informing of the options for casting votes.

·      In response to a question whether the national Government guidance provided to local authorities regarding administering the elections this year was self-explanatory, or had local authorities had been expected to interpret the guidance themselves. It was reported that the Council had followed Government guidance and the restrictions to be put in place. In relation to the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections, it was noted that all four South Yorkshire authorities had followed the same approach to ensure that the elections were Covid-19 compliant, social distancing restrictions were followed and risk assessments carried out.  Public Heath Guidance had been sought on behalf of the Returning Officer.

·      In answer to a question regarding whether the usual polling stations which had been closed or re-located elsewhere would be re-opened/re-instated for the next local election when Covid restrictions were lifted, the Electoral Services Manager advised that the Council was to hold Combined Authority Mayoral elections in May next year and subject to restrictions being lifted, the Electoral Services Team would endeavour to reopen the usual polling stations. It was noted that any significant on-going changes to polling stations would be reported to this Committee and all Members of the Council.

The Committee commended the Electoral Services Manager and the Electoral Services Team for their efforts and fantastic work undertaken in conducting and organising the smooth running of the combined elections under such challenging circumstances and with limited resources. Members also gave thanks to all staff involved in making the elections a success. Members also wished to place on record their thanks to the Director of Public Health and the Public Health Team for the outstanding contribution they had made in supporting the Electoral Services Team and elections this year.

RESOLVED that the report on the 2021 Elections results be noted.