Agenda item

To consider a report by the Democratic Services Manager, Steve Price (copy attached) about the new Rules that set out the process for an election carried out using the Single Transferable Vote from 2027.

The Lead Member for Corporate Strategy, Policy and Equalities, Councillor Julie Matthews, introduced the report (previously circulated).

On 6 May 2022, the provisions of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (the 2021 Act) relating to the single transferable vote system at the election of councillors to a principal council (a county or county borough council) in Wales came into force. The provisions allowed councils to decide to conduct elections using the single transferable vote system rather than the simple majority system, often referred to as first past the post.

A decision on whether to change this Council’s voting system was not required. The new provisions were powers not duties. However, there was a deadline set in November 2024 for concluding the consultation and decision-making processes should the Council take the decision to change the voting system.

The Single Transferable Vote (STV) system was a form of proportional representation with the Wales STV provisions having multi-member wards, each with between 3 and 6 councillors representing the ward. The STV system was designed to allow voters more choice than existed in single member wards. Under the first past the post system, it was argued that votes for minority parties or candidates could be ‘wasted’ as they did not contribute to the election of any candidates and the results, therefore, not proportionally representative of the electorate as a whole.

Each council would continue to utilise the first past the post system unless it decided to change to the STV system.  Any change would require a resolution supported by a two-thirds majority of the full council, at a meeting specially convened for the purpose, with written notice given at least 21 days before the meeting.

If council opted to change the voting system, it would be required to use the new system for the next two rounds of ordinary elections, for a period of 10 years. In the case of a by-election for a casual vacancy after the Council had changed to STV but before the first round of ordinary elections using STV had been held, the voting method at the previous ordinary election would be used. After those two rounds, the council could decide to return to the previous voting system.

If council exercised its power to change the voting system, the council must notify the Welsh Ministers and the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales of the change. After receiving a notification, the Welsh Ministers would direct the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales to conduct an initial review of the area of the council. The provisions for these initial reviews included requiring that the number of councillors for each electoral ward would be no less than three, but no more than six.

During discussions the following points were raised –

• Before it could exercise its power to change the voting system the Council would have to consult locally. This would include its local government electors, each city, town and community council in the county and any other people it considered appropriate.

·         Concerns were raised if the decision was taken to change to STV that local identity would be lost due to the larger wards, particularly with the representation and voices of rural areas being weakened. 

·         Members agreed that all political groups would need to be consulted to obtain their feedback.

·         Scotland and Northern Ireland used STV and a lot of information would be gained from councils in those countries.

·         A wider understanding of the process would be required as the general consensus was that the STV would favour smaller political parties and disadvantage independent candidates and rural areas. 

·         A Council Workshop for members to decide whether to change to STV was suggested. At the Workshop members could then give a firm steer on whether to take no action at present or proceed with a public consultation with a view to asking full Council before November 2024 to take a formal decision on changing the voting system to the STV system.

·         It was also suggested that a survey could be issued to members and residents as to the way forward.

RESOLVED that, subject to the above, the Democratic Services Committee has considered the Single Transferable Vote report and agreed as follows –

(i) To recommend that a Council Workshop be held to inform all members on the provisions for changing the Council’s electoral system to the single transferable vote system, and to provide a steer on how the Council should proceed.

(ii) That the involvement of the Group Leaders in the single transferable vote options be facilitated.

(iii) The potential for surveying members and residents on the single transferable vote options be explored.