Recommendation from Executive Notice of Motion - Preference Voting including proportional representation
The Leader will present the recommendation from Executive 5 January 2021.
RECOMMENDED to Council:-
(1) To call upon Her Majesty's Government by writing to the Home Secretary, and the Prime Minister urging them to:-
a. commit to changing electoral law to permit such a move.
b. Introduce such a system of voting in any reforms to local government presented to Parliament; and
(2) To write to Teignbridge's two MPs to ask them to call for changes in electoral law to permit such a system and promote the matter for debate in Parliament.
Minutes:
It was proposed by the Leader and seconded by Cllr Swain that the recommendations be approved.
Cllr Swain commented that first pass the post was not a fair system, it was disproportionate and that the voting age should be reduced to age 16 to improve democratic participation and accountability.
Cllr L Petherick proposed an amendment that the recommendation be taken in two parts, a vote on the system of preference voting including proportional representation and a vote on lowering the voting age to 16, this was seconded by Cllr Patch.
A roll call was taken on the amendment (see voting report), the amendment was lost.
On a further role call (see voting report), is was:-
RESOLVED that the Council:-
(1) To call upon Her Majesty's Government by writing to the Home Secretary, and the Prime Minister urging them to:-
a. commit to changing electoral law to permit such a move.
b. Introduce such a system of voting in any reforms to local government presented to Parliament; and
(2) To write to Teignbridge's two MPs to ask them to call for changes in electoral law to permit such a system and promote the matter for debate in Parliament.
Notice of Motion - Preference Voting including proportional representation
For the Executive to consider their response to the Notice of Motion on Preference voting including proportional representation submitted by Cllr Swain to the Full Council 23 November 2020.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Cllr Swain presented his Notice of Motion on Preference Voting including proportional representation submitted to Full Council on 23 November 2020. He commented that first pass the post was not a fair system, it was disproportionate and that the voting age should be reduced to age 16 to improve democratic participation and accountability.
Members supported the Notice of Motion and felt that proportional representation and lowering the voting age to 16 would promote better engagement with local democracy and give young people a voice.
RECOMMENDED to Council:-
(1) To call upon Her Majesty's Government by writing to the Home Secretary, and the Prime Minister urging them to:-
a. commit to changing electoral law to permit such a move.
b. Introduce such a system of voting in any reforms to local government presented to Parliament; and
(2) To write to Teignbridge's two MPs to ask them to call for changes in electoral law to permit such a system and promote the matter for debate in Parliament.
The vote was unanimous.