Agenda item

Report CSD18024

The Committee received an update on the Voter ID Pilot Scheme and changes to polling places to be used at the local council elections on 3^rd May 2018.

Councillor Vanessa Allen had submitted a number of detailed questions in advance of the meeting – officers provided the following responses –

(1) Acceptable forms of ID (paragraph 3.4 of the report) – There is no mention of any benefits related documents which might be suitable for ID purposes. Was this discussed at all?

This would be considered as part of the review – the acceptable documents were the same as were used to register.

(2) No ID (paragraph 3.7) – Will this form part of the public awareness campaign as a paper document as well as being available on the website?

Information would be focussed on the Council website, but paper information would also be available.

(3) Public awareness (paragraph 3.10) – Given the size of the borough the number of posters, billboards etc seems inadequate. It would be useful to know where they will be sited but I would like to see more posters and billboards generally. Would you consider information being displayed in places like libraries, sports venues, colleges and post offices for example?

The Chairman suggested that all Councillors should play a part in raising awareness, and that a range of community venues including doctors’ surgeries, places of worship and community centres should be used for publicity.  

(4) Direct communications (paragraph 3.11) – Is the poll card being redesigned to emphasise its importance?

It was confirmed that there was a fundamental re-design of the polling card. Bar codes were being trialled in some other pilots, but not in Bromley.

(5) Hard to reach groups – There is no specific mention of translation of information, has this been taken into account? Is it possible to see the Equality Impact Assessment?

Information had to be produced in English by statute, but translations would be produced.

(6) Training of Poll Staff – Will more people be required at polling stations than previously, and how can you ensure there will be sufficient suitably trained staff? Concern was expressed at previous meetings about recruitment issues, prior to knowing about this Voter Identification Scheme, presumably more staff are needed than would have been the case if Bromley was not part of this pilot?

There would be additional staff in polling stations to manage the checking of ID. Additional polling staff were being recruited from Kent (where there were no elections this year) and all staff would receive training.

(7) As side issue really, but please can we have an update on the registration process, how many times people will be visited, the percentage registered etc?   

It was confirmed that the deadline for registration, which was set by statute, was 17^th April 2018 - registration levels were already very high in Bromley at around 97%. Since individual registration had started, the Council was aware of about 240 residents who had struggled to find the relevant identification documents and these would be targeted for additional assistance. People requiring a Certificate of Identity would need to attend the Council offices.

The Cabinet Office was funding the additional costs of running the pilot and had set up a network so that all the pilot authorities could remain in touch and learn from each other. There would be more observers in evidence checking on how the arrangements worked on polling day. At least one political party had asked to be supplies with literature about the pilot, and officers were checking with the Cabinet Office whether this was appropriate. A Member asked whether information was available in braille – this would be checked – and holding roadshows was suggested.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.