Agenda item

This report brings to the Cabinet a report which contains findings and recommendations of the scrutiny task group’s investigation into how to manage a successful transition to Individual Electoral Registration (IER). The IER system went live in July 2014 and is expected to fully supplant the current Household Electoral Registration system on 1^st December 2015 with the aim of making the process of registration more convenient and secure.

(i)         that the recommendations in the report be endorsed;

(ii)        that the members of the task group be thanked for their work.

Councillor Nerva (Chair of the Promoting IER Scrutiny Task Group) was present to introduce the report on the findings and recommendations of the scrutiny task group’s investigation into how to manage a successful transition to Individual Electoral Registration (IER). The IER system went live in July 2014 and was expected to fully supplant the current Household Electoral Registration system on 1 December 2015 with the aim of making the process of registration more convenient and secure. Councillor Nerva summarised the timetable for registration, the implications for the Electoral Registration Service and the task group’s suggestions on how to encourage residents to register. He stressed the need for increased member engagement and targeted outreach work. Councillor Nerva thanked members and officers for their contributions to the work of the task group.

Councillor Pavey (Deputy Leader) welcomed the task group report and the implementation plan in place on which he received regular updates. Members agreed on the need for efforts to be made to increase registration and also community engagement.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that the recommendations in the report be endorsed;

(ii)        that the members of the task group be thanked for their work.