Issue - meetings

The annual report of the Elections Panel, which set out the work carried out by Electoral Services including the annual canvas and the Borough elections held in May 2023, was received.

The Leader of the Council introduced the annual report of the Elections Panel which set out the work carried out by Electoral Services over the past year to maintain the integrity of the Electoral Register and the security of the electoral process in the Borough.  The report set out the details of the Borough elections held in May 2023, including the substantial work undertaken to improve the accessibility of polling stations with the support of the Woking Access Group.

As part of the introduction, the Leader encouraged young people to register, noting that those residents who were aged 16 or 17 (referred to as ‘attainers’) could apply to go on the register, though would not be eligible to vote until they reached the age of 18.

RESOLVED

That the annual report of the Elections Panel be received.

Claire Storey, Independent Co-Opted Member and Chairman of the Elections and Electoral Registration Review Panel, introduced the Annual Report of the Panel.  The report set out the election and electoral registration activities undertaken in 2021, including the annual canvass, maintenance of the Electoral Register and the Woking Borough Council, Surrey County Council and Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner Elections.  The hard work of the Elections Team was acknowledged, noting the successes of the year.

RESOLVED

That the Annual Report of the Elections and Electoral Registration Review Panel be received.