Agenda item

“This Council supports the extension of the electoral franchise to citizens aged 16 and over as a natural and just equalisation of voting rights to match personal responsibilities.

Council also supports the need for greater engagement with young people, leading to greater involvement of young people in the decisions that affect their community.

This Council welcomes meaningful discussion on the extension of the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds to include civic and democratic education in schools.

Council recognises the ongoing Votes at 16 campaign by the British Youth Council, the UK Youth Parliament, (as well as our own elected Youth Council), to lower the voting age to 16. Council therefore calls on the Chief Executive to write to the British Youth Council and the UK Youth Parliament to offer support for the Votes at 16 campaign, and write to Government.

This Council believes in a united democracy across the United Kingdom and calls for the extension of the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds in Local Government and devolved elections in England, as seen in Scotland and Wales.

This Council resolves to:-

1. Write to British Youth Council stating our support for the Votes at 16 campaign;

2. Write to local Members of Parliament stating our support for the Votes at 16 campaign; and

3. Write to the Prime Minister and the relevant Minister to consider extending the voting age to 16 year olds for Local Government and devolved elections and referendum in England, and to review the wider franchise for all elections and referendums in the UK.”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1, a Motion was submitted by Councillor Lani-Mae Ball and Seconded by Councillor Nuala Fennelly:-

“This Council supports the extension of the electoral franchise to citizens aged 16 and over as a natural and just equalisation of voting rights to match personal responsibilities.

Council also supports the need for greater engagement with young people, leading to greater involvement of young people in the decisions that affect their community.

This Council welcomes meaningful discussion on the extension of the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds to include civic and democratic education in schools.

Council recognises the ongoing Votes at 16 campaign by the British Youth Council, the UK Youth Parliament, (as well as our own elected Youth Council), to lower the voting age to 16. Council therefore calls on the Chief Executive to write to the British Youth Council and the UK Youth Parliament to offer support for the Votes at 16 campaign, and write to Government.

This Council believes in a united democracy across the United Kingdom and calls for the extension of the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds in Local Government and devolved elections in England, as seen in Scotland and Wales.

This Council resolves to:-

1. Write to British Youth Council stating our support for the Votes at 16 campaign;

2. Write to local Members of Parliament stating our support for the Votes at 16 campaign; and

3. Write to the Prime Minister and the relevant Minister to consider extending the voting age to 16 year olds for Local Government and devolved elections and referendum in England, and to review the wider franchise for all elections and referendums in the UK.”

The Chair afforded all Members and a member of the Youth Council who was present in the Chamber, the opportunity to speak on the Motion.

An amendment to the Motion was MOVED by Councillor Nick Allen and Seconded by the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, in that resolution 3 read as follows:-

“3.   Write to the Prime Minister and the relevant Minister to consider extending the voting age and seek to hold full office to 16 year olds for Local Government and devolved elections and referendum in England, and to review the wider franchise for all elections and referendums in the UK.”

A vote was taken on the amendment to the Motion proposed by Councillor Nick Allen, which was declared as follows:-

For - 48

Against - 1

Abstain - 0

On being put to the meeting, the amendment to the Motion was declared CARRIED.

A vote was taken on the Substantive Motion proposed by Councillor Lani-Mae Ball, which was declared as follows:-

For - 49 

Against - 0 

Abstain - 0 

On being put to the meeting, the Substantive Motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that this Council supports the extension of the electoral franchise to citizens aged 16 and over as a natural and just equalisation of voting rights to match personal responsibilities.

Council also supports the need for greater engagement with young people, leading to greater involvement of young people in the decisions that affect their community.

This Council welcomes meaningful discussion on the extension of the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds to include civic and democratic education in schools.

Council recognises the ongoing Votes at 16 campaign by the British Youth Council, the UK Youth Parliament, (as well as our own elected Youth Council), to lower the voting age to 16. Council therefore calls on the Chief Executive to write to the British Youth Council and the UK Youth Parliament to offer support for the Votes at 16 campaign, and write to Government.

This Council believes in a united democracy across the United Kingdom and calls for the extension of the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds in Local Government and devolved elections in England, as seen in Scotland and Wales.

This Council resolves to:-

1.    Write to British Youth Council stating our support for the Votes at 16 campaign;

2.    Write to local Members of Parliament stating our support for the Votes at 16 campaign; and

3.    Write to the Prime Minister and the relevant Minister to consider extending the voting age and seek to hold full office to 16 year olds for Local Government and devolved elections and referendum in England, and to review the wider franchise for all elections and referendums in the UK.