Hilton Metropole Hotel, Brighton 3 - 6 February 2019 - Association of Electoral Administrators Annual Conference 2019 - Association of ...
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Association of Electoral
Administrators
Annual Conference 2019
Hilton Metropole Hotel, Brighton
3 - 6 February 2019
ote electoral services
Conference Programme 2019
(All Plenary Sessions to be held in the Oxford Suite)
Sunday 3 February 2019
Time Session Chairman & Speakers
From 15:30 Registration in the Sussex Lounge
16:30 to 18:00 Opening of Exhibition in Cambridge and Durham Rooms
Chairman: Andy Tiffin
18:00 to 19:00 Conference Opener – Making the Invisible Visible!
Speaker: Maria Paviour
19:30 Supper - Regency Room
Monday 4 February 2019
Time Morning Sessions Chairman & Speakers
8:30 Visit Exhibition in the Durham and Cambridge Rooms
9:15 to 10:45 Workshops
10:45 to 11:15 Coffee in the Durham and Cambridge Rooms
Chairman: Peter Stanyon
11:15 to 11:45 Keynote Speech from the Minister for the Constitution
Speaker: Chloe Smith MP
Chairman: Bill Crawford OBE
11:45 to 12:30 Access to the Register – Interactive Plenary
Speaker: Richard Harris
12:30 to 13:30 Lunch in the Durham and Cambridge Rooms
Monday 4 February 2019
Time Afternoon Sessions Chairman & Speakers
Chairman: Gina Armstrong
13:30 to 14:00 Voter ID and Securing Democratic Processes Speakers: Mark Hughes
Will Harvey
Speakers: Paul Docker OBE
Marie Chadwick, RNIB
14:00 to 14:45 Polling Station Accessibility – from the Voters’ Perspective Rob Holland, Royal Mencap Society
Charlotte Thomson, Harrow Mencap
James Taylor, Scope
14:45 to 15:15 Tea in the Durham and Cambridge Rooms
15:15 to 16:45 Workshops
Chairman: Paula Hunter
17:00 to 17:30 Fringe Meeting: Jisc (Hall 4)
Speaker: Josh Howlett
Speakers: Sacha Zarb
17:00 to 17:30 Fringe Meeting: Demonstration by Gov.UK/notify (Stanmer)
Olivia Walicki
17:30 Close
2
Annual Conference 2019
Conference Programme 2019 - continued
(All Plenary Sessions to be held in the Oxford Suite)
Tuesday 5 February 2019
Time Morning Sessions Chairman & Speakers
8:30 Visit Exhibition in the Durham and Cambridge Rooms
Chairman: Peter Stanyon
9:15 to 10:00 Canvass Reform
Speaker: Sarah Ling
10:00 to 10:30 Building our Democratic Engagement toolbox for the future Speaker: Emma Smith
10:30 to 11:00 Coffee in the Durham and Cambridge Rooms
11:00 to 12:30 Workshops
12:30 to 13:30 Lunch in the Durham and Cambridge Rooms
Tuesday 5 February 2019
Time Afternoon Sessions Chairman & Speakers
Chairman: Peter Stanyon
Speakers: Surinder Singh
13:30 to 14:15 Engagement
Mark Pritchard
Susan Findlay
14:15 to 14:45 Interactive Plenary - The Parliamentary Boundary Review Speaker: Peter Stanyon
14:45 to 15:15 Tea in the Durham and Cambridge Rooms
15:15 to 16:45 Workshops
16:45 Close
Wednesday 6 February 2019
Time Morning Sessions Chairman & Speakers
9:30 to 9:45 AGM Chairman: Andy Tiffin
Speakers: Laura Lock
9:45 to 11:00 Interactive Plenary – Help! The legislation is not clear
Rob Curtis
11:00 Close of Conference Speaker: James Stevens
(Programme subject to change)
3Chairman’s Welcome
Rising to the Challenge, whatever that may be.
Welcome to Brighton and your 2019 AEA Conference.
Before I started writing the forward to this year’s brochure I looked at previous
years for inspiration. It has been a tradition to have a retrospective look back over
what has usually been a challenging 12 months, with us all making it through,
despite the odds. Themes referenced over the last few years have included dealing
with the introduction of IER, a snap General Election and a couple of Referendums.
Now the last year has possibly been a little bit more unusual. The year started
somewhat predictably, with many of us delivering elections in May but there was
one political issue that came to dominate the latter half of 2018. It’s an issue that
has made this welcome so challenging to write. That issue was and is Brexit. As I
sit and type these words, it is the end of November and I have no idea what will
happen in the last two months of 2018 nor how significant it will be when the electoral history of 2018 is written. Back
when I wrote this, remember all of the following were true:
• The Prime Minister was Theresa May*
• The Leader of the Opposition was Jeremy Corbyn*
• There had been no vote on the EU exit treaty in Parliament*
• A second Referendum was not going to be held*
• We were set to leave the EU on 29th March 2019*
• The most recent General Election had been in June 2017*
You might like to spend a few moments between plenaries bringing my little list of events up to date.
Whilst I have no idea about what actually happened, we will of course all have lived through it and what I do know is that
AEA members will have dealt with everything in a professional, calm and assured manner. Just as everyone had expected.
Well done for making it through.
In many ways attending Conference is like a collective insurance policy. We attend and then we can access a range of
tools, training and support that help us rise to any challenges that we might face.
During Conference you will see the influence that the AEA has reflected in the range of speakers that want to come and
talk to you.
4Annual Conference 2019
You’ll recognise, through the presentation of Certificates and Diplomas, the value that we place as a profession on
studying and qualifications. I’m also really pleased to welcome current students as well as first time attendees to
Conference who are benefiting from the discounted rates introduced this year.
Whilst in the workshops you will receive high quality training from AEA accredited trainers and the best external partners.
Each of those highlights is a reason alone for attending. But Conference is much more than the sum of those things. It also
offers you the opportunity to build and maintain a network of contacts and friends that can be a vital support in our roles.
When I started in elections, I had no knowledge of what we did and found the whole electoral process daunting. After
my first election I wanted to quit. Fortunately, I‘d been introduced to Southern Branch and it was the members there who
made sure that if I needed anything, I had a group of people I could call on. Those colleagues have in many cases become
close friends and ones that I still call on to help. My experience isn’t unique.
So for all members who are attending, from the new to the more experienced, make good use of all your time at
Conference. From the people you meet, the new friends that you make, to the old friends that you see again, those bonds
will get you through the hardest and most challenging of times like we have just had (or may not have had) over the last
12 months. This availability of mutual support is one of the things that makes our profession so special.
This Conference marks the end of my term of office as Chair of the AEA. I have been honoured to represent our
Association and would also like to thank Lea Goddard; the immediate Past Chair who stands down this year from the
Board of Directors. I appreciate his personal support and I hope we all recognise the contribution that he has made to the
AEA. After Conference closes the position of Chair will pass to Rob Curtis and I know that he will bring his own unique
approach to the role.
I also wanted to pass on my thanks to all of the staff of our organisation who work so hard to make sure that
administration of the Association and this Conference is first class. I also want to recognise the enthusiastic and positive
start that Peter and Laura have brought to their new roles. Finally, my thanks to Southern Branch for all the work they
have done on the Social Programme.
Enjoy Brighton, you deserve it (after the last 12 months you’ve had/next few months you will have to come).*
*update/change as required by the passing of time
Andy Tiffin
Chair
5Chief Executive’s Foreword
I am delighted to welcome you to Brighton and the Association’s 32nd Annual
Conference.
Saying that fills me with an enormous sense of pride. Can any of those enlightened
individuals who attended the inaugural meeting in Leeds in October 1987
truly have believed that 32 years later, the AEA would have developed into the
highly respected organisation that it is today, recognised for its professionalism,
knowledge and expertise?
To be Chief Executive of the organisation is therefore a great honour and privilege.
Nearly a year into the job, I am acutely aware of the responsibilities vested in me in
ensuring that the AEA continues to evolve in ways that best serve its members. You
have my personal guarantee that I will do all in my power to build on the legacy I
inherited a year ago.
In doing so, I would like to place on record my thanks and appreciation to all of the
AEA’s staff, who work tirelessly behind the scenes, to the AEA Board members, who
act as both guardians of the company and representatives of their branches, and
our elected officers … Andy Tiffin, Rob Curtis and Lea Goddard … who have committed so much of their own time over
the last year, providing support, challenge and a sense of realism to all that we do.
Much has happened in the electoral world since last year’s Conference in Blackpool and there is much more to come.
A significant amount of time has been spent in and out of meetings discussing issues such as canvass reform, electoral
integrity, the accessibility of electoral processes, EU exit, overseas electors, student registration, fees and charges,
anonymous electors … the list goes on!
It is unlikely that 2019 will be any quieter! We will however continue to do all in our power to ensure that the challenges
faced by electoral administrators are properly considered alongside the needs of electors and other key stakeholders. There
will be occasions where we disagree with the approach our partners wish to take, which may make for uncomfortable
and challenging debates, but that will not stop us from doing all we can to ensure that the administrative and personal
implications are properly examined and positively addressed.
There has been plenty going on internally as well. This last year has seen us commencing a wide-ranging review of the
ways in which the AEA serves its members. The Branch Round Table held in May 2018 acted as an important catalyst,
challenging us all to consider exactly how the Association should continue to evolve in order to improve. That process
will continue for the foreseeable future … and the involvement of all members in the development of the AEA as both
a membership organisation and as a business is essential. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my Executive Director
colleagues to share your hopes, fears, concerns, aspirations, suggestions … anything you feel will help us to shape the
AEA as an even better organisation, one we can all be proud to be a part of.
Annual Conference is our showpiece event. I am sure you will find the next few days interesting, useful, challenging and
thought provoking in equal measure. They will also be fun! Embrace the opportunities that Conference brings … the
contacts you make over the next few days will prove invaluable in the years ahead.
6Annual Conference 2019
A great deal of work goes into successfully delivering such events and I would therefore like, on behalf of everyone
attending, to place on record our collective thanks to Laura Lock, Bill Crawford, James Stevens, Sue Bedford, Richard
Harris, Tasha Davis and the Sunderland team, without whom none of this would have happened.
I must also place on record my thanks to all of our guest speakers and to the Minister and her officials for travelling to be
with us.
Special mention has to go to the workshop leaders, who have spent a significant amount of time preparing their extremely
informative and thought-provoking sessions. Having delivered workshops in the past, I know how difficult it is; how much
time it takes; and how much responsibility is placed on their shoulders.
Last but not least, thanks are due to our commercial colleagues, who are once again extending invaluable support through
taking up exhibition space and providing sponsorship. Please take time to visit the exhibition to renew old acquaintances
and build some new ones.
In conclusion, I reiterate my thanks to you. The AEA is such a special organisation because of you, individuals who have
extremely high professional standards and are selfless in their determination to deliver democracy with little regard to
personal cost.
As an organisation, we punch above our weight; we are held in high esteem by our partners; our views are sought from
the mundane through to the outlandish; we are respected.
In short, I am proud to be your Chief Executive. I look forward to meeting as many of you as is humanly possible over the
next few days … don’t be shy, come and say hello.
But most of all, enjoy Conference 2019.
Peter Stanyon
Chief Executive
7Plenary Sessions
1. Conference Opener – Making the Invisible Visible!
In this inspiring session, Maria Paviour, registered psychologist, will share her unique and ground-breaking research
and personal story that demonstrates how to lift the lid behind the science of stress and put you in the driving seat of
your own brain. This session will help you to understand that you can learn to control your levels of stress, and how you
respond to stress, even during an election!
Andy Tiffin (Chairman AEA and Elections & Registration Manger, Hart District Council)
Prior to joining local government Andy worked in the banking sector. After seeing the financial
“writing on the wall”, he naively leapt into what he thought was the sleepy world of elections.
Six months later his first experience of running a poll was at the combined European and Local
Government election in 2004 where just surviving seemed an over ambitious expectation. He did
however manage to avoid a petition, despite not really knowing what he was doing.
He grew up in Northumberland and now works at Hart District Council in Hampshire. In the past
he's been Chair of Southern Branch, a Board Member since 2012 and has sat on the Electoral
Commission’s Elections, Referendums and Registration Working Group. He is also Deputy Monitoring Officer for his
authority.
andrew.tiffin@hart.gov.uk
01252 774158
Maria Paviour (Maria Paviour Company Ltd )
Maria Paviour B.ed (hons), Principal Practitioner MABP Occupational Practitioner Psychologist
(Reg no. PYL 29552)
For over 25 years Maria has studied human psychology, biology and neuroscience, focusing on the
importance of engaging employees and gaining employee commitment.
Maria’s innovative use of technology resulted in three UK Government and EU awards for
measuring and managing stress at work.
Building on this technology and using evidence based research from the last ten years, Maria has developed her flagship
tool – CARI™ - giving clients the ability to drill right down into the key aspects of wellbeing and emotional engagement
at work. CARI™ provides revealing insights into the barriers that stop your employees from engaging in the workplace.
She’s published three books on neuroscience and leadership, and grown a team of coaching professionals, schooled in her
own ‘NeuChem®’ methodology. Harnessing body and mind for better workplace wellbeing.
Maria heads up an occupational psychology consultancy, based at the Innovation Centre at the University of Sussex.
The Maria Paviour Company specialise in coaching and leadership development, through emotional engagement and
wellbeing at work.
Maria is a top international influencer, speaker and facilitator on organisational and strategic resilience
lm@mariapavior.com
01273 934136
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2. Keynote Speech from the Minister for the Constitution
The Minister, Chloe Smith MP, Parliamentary Secretary (Minister for the Constitution) will be in attendance to give the
Conference’s keynote speech.
Chloe Smith MP (Minister for the Constitution)
Chloe Smith MP was appointed as Minister for the Constitution at the Cabinet Office on 9 January
2018.
She was elected as the Conservative MP for Norwich North in 2009 and was appointed Economic
Secretary to the Treasury in October 2011 and from September 2012 to October 2013 she served as
Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office. In 2017, Chloe was appointed Parliamentary Under
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Before entering Parliament, Chloe worked for international consultancy firm Deloitte, advising
private businesses, government departments and public bodies.
pschloesmith@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
0207 276 1614
3. Access to the Register – Interactive Plenary
This interactive plenary session will examine an area that often causes difficulties – access and supply of the electoral
register. It will look at the legislative basis and available guidance; what information can be disclosed from the register
and when; the distinction between the Electoral Registration Officer’s copy and the Council’s copy; as well as asking what
action should be taken in particular scenarios.
Bill Crawford, OBE (Executive Director (Commercial) AEA) Chairman
A career local government officer, Bill was based in the North East of England from 1969 to his
retirement in 2013.
A member of the AEA since 1988, Bill has been involved with helping organise annual conference
since our second conference in Scarborough in 1989 and has been an Executive Director of the
Association since 2006.
Bill.crawford@aea-elections.co.uk
07809 556354
9Richard Harris (Training and Development Manager, AEA)
Richard entered the world of electoral services as a trainee with Chiltern District Council (more
years ago than he cares to admit!) and worked his way up to become Democratic and Electoral
Services Manager. He then spent several years at the Electoral Commission as a Senior Advisor. As
such, he offers both extensive practical experience in delivering electoral services, and expertise in
electoral law from writing the Commission’s guidance for EROs, ROs and candidates and agents.
Richard is now the AEA’s Training and Development Manager with responsibility, amongst other
things, for the writing and development of all training courses.
As well as the AEA Certificate, Richard has a bachelor’s degree and MBA.
Most importantly (he says!), he is a Tottenham Hotspur season-ticket holder, and is wondering if the new stadium will be
open in time for conference!
Richard.harris@aea-elections.co.uk
07986 217 620
4. Voter ID and Securing Democratic Processes
Hear from the Cabinet Office about the 2019 voter ID pilots and plans to ensure the security of the voting process and
reduce the risk of voter fraud. Cyber threats or attacks to elections or voting infrastructure has been a recurring theme
globally in recent years. A representative from the Government Security Group will also be in attendance to discuss the
issues that they face, and the measures put in place to ensure the security of the UK democratic process.
Gina Armstrong (Executive Director (Resources) AEA) Chairman of the Monday afternoon
sessions
Before joining the Association in 2000 as its first full time employee, Gina had spent 24 years in
local government and the last 14 years of that time, managing a large electoral services team. She
has been a member of the AEA since 1987, its inaugural year and been actively involved in the
Association at a local and national level since that time.
She has now been employed by the Association for over 18 years and is a member of Management
Team and the AEA Board being responsible for all company and financial matters.
Gina also has considerable experience of overseas elections and has conducted electoral training overseas in countries
such as Nigeria, Kenya, Lebanon and Afghanistan on a regular basis for the last 25 years.
Gina.armstrong@aea-elections.co.uk
0151 281 8246
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Mark Hughes (Head of Elections Projects, Cabinet Office)
Mark is responsible for the delivery and implementation of voter identification in polling stations
and other recommendations of the 'Pickles Review' supported by the Government. Voter
identification and improvements to the integrity of the postal and proxy vote process will be piloted
in the May 2019 local elections.
He is looking forward to working with many of you on future pilots to ensure the successful
implementation of voter identification and other measures to deliver the Government's
commitment to protect the integrity of our electoral system and secure our democracy. Mark would
welcome your interest in the Cabinet Office's electoral integrity project.
mark.hughes@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
07970 872173
Will Harvey (Cabinet Office)
Will Harvey heads the Government Cyber Defence Team within the Cabinet Office’s newly
established Government Security Group – the UK Government’s central security function. He is
responsible for the Government’s response to the cyber security risks it faces, coordinates the public
sector side of the National Cyber Security Programme, conducts red teaming of UK Government
departments, oversees work to protect the UK’s Democratic processes and coordinates Government
incident response. Prior to this role he spent 12 years in Government moving between policy and
operational security covering leading infosec roles within Government Departments, working on
National Security and Cyber Security Policy, coordinating cyber security for major UK events and
reforming the structures the UK Government has in place to respond to major cyber security incidents.
William.harvey@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
5. Polling Station Accessibility – from the Voters' perspective
Representatives from Scope, Mencap and the RNIB will be in attendance to talk about their members’ experiences
accessing the electoral system. This session will help you better understand and address the needs of each organisation’s
members so that you can make the voting experience a more positive one for people with disabilities, particularly in terms
of interaction, support and access.
Paul Docker, OBE (Head of Electoral Administration, Cabinet Office)
Paul Docker has worked within the legislative, courts and policy areas of central Government for
over 25 years. He has worked directly on electronic innovations for issue of court proceedings and
legislative information portals before moving to the Electoral Policy Division in August 2003. Paul
led the work on the June 2004 all-postal pilots before taking on the overall Electoral Modernisation
Programme in April 2005.
Since then Paul has held several roles that have focused on the strategic, policy and legislative
areas of development and is currently Head of Electoral Administration in the Elections Division
which is part of the Constitution Group within the Cabinet Office.
paul.docker@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
020 7271 6413
11Marie Chadwick (Campaigns and Policy Officer, RNIB)
Marie Chadwick is a Policy and Campaigns Officer for the Royal National Institute of Blind People
and takes a lead on accessible information, including elections.
Marie is a member of the Cabinet Office’s Access to Elections steering group which is working to
improve the accessibility of elections, from registration right up to polling day.
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) promotes the interests of blind and partially
sighted people and those at risk of sight loss, across the UK. They are led by a trustee board
with over 80% blind and partially sighted people. Over 33,000 people are part of RNIB Connect
community, the vast majority of whom have sight loss. RNIB’s ambition is to change the world for those living with, and at
risk of, sight loss. RNIB takes action to prevent avoidable sight loss, provide support and services to enable independence
and campaign to create a fully inclusive society.
marie.chadwick@rnib.org.uk
Rob Holland & Charlotte Thomson (Royal Mencap Society & Harrow
Mencap)
Rob is Parliamentary Manager at Mencap and leads on their work in trying to
make voting accessible for people with a learning disability. Rob and his team
produce ‘easy read’ information to help people understand the voting process
and he sits on the Access to Elections working group at the Cabinet Office.
Charlotte is a self-advocate with Harrow Mencap and believes passionately in
promoting the rights of people with a learning disability. Harrow Mencap were
nominated for the Democracy Week awards 2018 for their work in promoting voting among the local community and
engaging with MPs and councillors.
Rob.holland@mencap.org.uk
0207 696 6954
James Taylor (Scope)
James is Head of Policy, Campaigns and Public Affairs for Scope, the disability charity. James is
responsible for the charity’s influencing work and has 10 years of experience of campaigning and
shaping public policy at Stonewall and at Which?. James leads Scope's work with Government
departments, public campaigning and policy development on a range of areas including consumer
issues, energy markets, welfare system and employment.
James.taylor@scope.org.uk
07852 717830
12Annual Conference 2019
6. Fringe Meeting: Jisc (Hall 4)
Following the Higher Education & Research Act 2017, the Office for Students has made student electoral registration
a condition for registration as a higher education provider from August 2019. In collaboration with 18 universities, Jisc
have developed the Student Voter Registration Service and expect that 75% of universities will use the service. In this
presentation, Jisc will provide an overview of the service and explain what you need to do to benefit from it.
Paula Hunter (Bristol City Council) Chairman of this session
Paula has worked in local government since 1989 and has been an electoral administrator since
2002. Having worked in 3 different Councils, Paula is now the Principal Electoral Services Officer at
Bristol City Council.
Since the introduction of IER one of her many challenges has been getting students registered
by any means possible. Having exhausted free cake, and registration events, she is currently
spearheading the project working with Jisc to engage with student populations via electronic
means.
Paula is married with two wonderful children and in her spare time enjoys walking, gardening and generally socialising,
preferably with a gin or two!
paula.hunter@bristol.gov.uk
0117 352 5169
Josh Howlett (Jisc)
Josh is Jisc’s Head of Trust & Identity, responsible for operating and developing a portfolio of
services that address our members’ need for seamless and secure access to digital services.
Josh.Howlett@Jisc.ac.uk
0330 300 2212
137. Fringe Meeting: Demonstration by Gov.UK/notify (Stanmer)
The Government Digital Service will be demonstrating and taking questions on how GOV.UK Notify can support electoral
services teams. GOV.UK Notify is used by over 500 services across Central and Local Government, the NHS and police to
communicate with citizens. The demonstration will look at how simple it is to use the service, how it can integrate with
your software, and how it allows two-way communications with citizens.
Sacha Zarb & Olivia Walicki (Cabinet Office)
Sacha is part of the Common Platforms Engagement team at the Government
Digital Service. He works across Government and the wider public sector to
support the introduction of a range of shared digital services. Sacha has been
with GDS for last year and has previously worked at Sport England, GMC and
NUS.
Olivia has worked at the Government Digital Service as an Engagement Manager
for Common Platforms for the last four months, focusing on the adoption of
common components across central and local government. Previously, she worked for a data integration programme for
the NHS focused on improving patient care. She is passionate about implementing positive changes in the public sector
sacha.zarb@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk
olivia.walicki@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk
8. Canvass Reform
Following the publication of the policy statement in October, hear the latest news from the Cabinet Office on the plans
to modernise the canvass in time for the start of the 2020 canvass. Discover what progress is being made on bringing
forward the required amendments to legislation, how comments raised by the AEA and others in response to the policy
statement are being addressed, and what the changes will mean for you.
Peter Stanyon (Chief Executive AEA) Chairman of Tuesday’s sessions
Peter has been employed as Chief Executive of the Association for nearly a year. Alongside his day
job, he is an AEA examiner, an accredited trainer and a member of the Foundation Course writing
and delivery team.
Peter joined the AEA as a member in 1988 and many years later was proud to be elected as its
Chairman. Prior to starting work with the Association, he was employed by two London Boroughs
and two district councils and was seconded to the Electoral Commission on two separate occasions.
Peter is committed to ensuring that the views of those who directly deliver the electoral process are
properly recognised and considered by decision-makers and is always keen to take on board administrators’ views in order
to ensure he represents the electoral community to the best of his abilities.
So, ring him, email him or simply grab him if you ever feel the need to bend his ear! But before doing so, check to see if
Luton Town have won at the weekend … his mood is often linked to the result!
peter.stanyon@aea-elections.co.uk
01442 390674
07855 589825
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Sarah Ling (Cabinet Office)
Sarah has worked in electoral administration since 2008 and as an AEA Consultant since 2015, with
contracts in a variety of places including South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse District
Council, East Herts District Council, Plymouth City Council and the London Borough of Enfield. Her
most recent consultancy contract took her to the Cabinet Office to work in the Modern Electoral
Registration Programme, where she has now turned her hand to ‘full time civil servant’. She was
the Head of the Registration Reform Team, in which developing the policy for the reform of the
Annual Canvass was one of their key pieces of work. She is now Head of the Business Change and
Implementation team which is responsible for delivering the changes required, both digital and
within the electoral community, for the reform of the Annual Canvass.
sarah.ling@ cabinetoffice.gov.uk
07935 518 323
9. Building our Democratic Engagement toolbox for the future
Hear about all the work being done at Cabinet Office on democratic engagement. What parts can we all play, and what
are our collective tools, levers, expertise and resources to engage under registered citizens as democratic participants?
Emma Smith (Cabinet Office)
Emma Smith is Head of Project Delivery for the Digital and Democratic Engagement Team in Cabinet
Office responsible for funded and non-funded Government projects, which aim to raise awareness
of democracy and increase voter registration amongst under registered groups. Previously Emma
was Head of Communications for the Government’s Major Projects Authority, Small Business
Policy engagement lead and Head of Publishing HM Treasury. She has an extensive background in
Government and charity sector project delivery and communications, holds procurement, project
delivery and communication qualifications and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public
Relations.
emma.smith@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
07833 693683
1510. Engagement
Hear about the innovative engagement work undertaken with schools and community groups (Sandwell Metropolitan
Borough Council); the integration of registration into both universal credit and housing homeless people (Glasgow City
Council); and, how an imaginative approach and proactive communications impacted and promoted engagement ahead
of Swindon’s voter ID pilot (Swindon Borough Council).
Peter Stanyon (Chief Executive AEA) Please see biography on page 14.
Surinder Singh (Electoral Participation Officer, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council)
I have over 20 years of Community Engagement Experience working with different communities
with the last 5 years specifically with regards to increasing Electoral Participation with Schools and
Faith Organisations delivering surgeries and innovative workshops to make sure all communities
feel that they understand different parts of our democratic process and are encouraged to
participate at all levels.
Currently running a successful Student Ambassadors Programme which has empowered over 30
young people to register their Peers in school and college with fantastic results.
Surinder_singh@sandwell.gov.uk
07825642279
Mark Pritchard (Swindon Borough Council)
Mark Pritchard is the Campaigns Lead in the Swindon Borough Council Communications Team
who were responsible for delivering the comms campaign for the Voter ID pilot in the 2018 local
elections in partnership with the Swindon Elections Team.
The Council were required to notify around 134,000 registered voters that to vote they would need
to show ID for the first time. The campaign involved extensive communications and engagement
with a range of communities to make sure no one was disenfranchised or disadvantaged when it
came to the vote.
The campaign resulted in only 25 voters not able to vote as a result of not showing ID, only 0.04% of voters of the total
62,191 people who voted. Turnout also increased by 6%.
mpritchard@swindon.gov.uk
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Susan Findlay (Glasgow City Council)
Susan has worked in electoral registration since 2013 and is the Depute Electoral Registration
Officer for the City of Glasgow.
Glasgow City Council is the largest local authority in Scotland with an electorate of 463,000.
Susan and her team are responsible for designing and producing registration public awareness
campaigns on behalf of all Scottish Electoral Registration Officers, which include TV, radio, press,
outdoor, and digital advertising.
Due to the scale of complexities of the challenges facing local government in the current economic
climate, Susan and her team are committed to identifying strategic partnership opportunities within the Glasgow Council
Family and with third sector partners to increase voter registration levels amongst social groups who have low levels of
registration.
Susan holds the AEA certificate and has a BSc in Land Economics. She is also a member of the Royal Institution of
Chartered Surveyors.
Susanassessors.findlay@glasgow.gov.uk
0141 287 7556
11. Interactive Plenary – The Parliamentary Boundary Review
Constituency boundary changes … will they / won’t they? Who really knows?! Regardless of the uncertainty, this
interactive plenary will consider the practical issues surrounding implementation: communication, cross-boundary
working, impacts on electoral registers … and the impact of any unscheduled electoral event!
Peter Stanyon (AEA Chief Executive) Please see biography on page 14.
12. AGM
Andy Tiffin (AEA Chairman and Elections & Registration Manger, Hart District Council)
Please see biography on page 8.
1713. Interactive Plenary – Help! The legislation is not clear
Although what we do as electoral services staff is heavily prescribed, there are areas that the legislation and guidance
do not cover in detail, leaving you with little direction in what to do. This interactive plenary will look at a number of
scenarios where there is no legislation, or the legislation is not clear and, with your help, consider what the appropriate
course of action should be.
Laura Lock (Deputy Chief Executive AEA)
Laura became the AEA’s Deputy Chief Executive in March last year having previously been the
Association’s Training Manager.
Her role within the AEA means she is responsible for policy and is currently leading on the
Association’s work on Canvass Reform and using funds to further advance the profession and
benefits to members.
She has worked in electoral services for over 15 years undertaking numerous roles within Eastern
Branch as well as having previously been AEA Chairman.
Laura.lock@aea-elections.co.uk
01242 465063
07971 675169
Rob Curtis (Deputy Chairman AEA and Head of Electoral Services, London Borough of
Tower Hamlets )
Rob was appointed as Head of Electoral Services at the London Borough of Tower Hamlets having
joined the authority on 2 January 2018. After a testing year in many ways this has proven to be the
most challenging but extremely rewarding position he has undertaken and is very grateful to have
been given the opportunity to experience working in such a diverse inner London Borough bringing
with it its own unique electoral challenges.
Rob has worked in Electoral Services since 1993 and has been an AEA accredited trainer for the past
12 years. Together with his team, he has been instrumental in the roll out of the postal pilots at the Tower Hamlets Local
Elections in 2018 and he has enthusiastically contributed to debates throughout the continued implementation of IER and
beyond. He is an active member of the AEA having been elected Deputy Chair in 2018 with his tenure as Chair of the AEA
commencing at conference this year.
He still plays rugby badly on occasion for Windsor Veterans and of course will be in the bar.
robert.curtis@towerhamlets.gov.uk
020 7364 3139
18Annual Conference 2019
14. Close of Conference
James Stevens (Conference & Seminar Organiser AEA)
Jim joined the AEA in 1987 and is currently the Association’s Conference & Seminar Organiser.
He has previously served on the Management Board as the Education & Training Officer and
was a former Executive Director (Commercial) of the Association. He is also on the Association’s
Examining Board.
Having been involved in electoral registration and elections since joining Brentwood Council in
1986, being directly responsible for the management of European, Parliamentary, County, Borough
and Parish elections, as well as working at the sharp end at polling stations, he gave up full time
employment in local government, after having endured six General Elections, where he was also the
electoral registration officer and returning officer.
Now a consultant for the AEA, he has spent time at the City of London, St Albans City & District Council, Fenland District
Council, Mid Devon District Council, Hertsmere Borough Council, Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council, Peterborough
City Council, Eden District Council, Basildon Borough Council, Swindon Borough Council, Blackburn with Darwen Borough
Council and Ryedale District Council.
Jim also has considerable experience in overseas elections, including having been an election supervisor in Cambodia,
Bosnia, Serbia, Kosovo and Croatia, as well as an observer in Kyrgyzstan, Georgia and Ukraine.
james.stevens@aea-elections.co.uk
0791 2310 093
19Location of Workshops
All workshops, excluding Dealing with
Challenging Conversations are located on
the floor
Location above the Exhibition area – follow
of Workshops
the colour coded signs.
All workshops, excluding Dealing with Challenging Conversations, are located on the
floor The
above the area – follow
exibvition with
Dealing the colour coded
Challenging signs.
Conversations
workshop
The Dealing will be
with Challenging held in workshop
Conversations the Ambassador
will be held in the
Room
Ambassador which
Room which isislocated
located
on the on the
ground ground
floor of the hotelfloor ofto the
adjacent
main restaurant.
the hotel adjacent to the main restaurant.
Monday Monday Tuesday Tuesday
Workshop Title Location
AM PM AM PM
Staff Recruitment and 1A 1B 1C 1D Stanmer
Payments
Polling District and 2A 2B 2C 2D Preston
Polling Place Reviews
Dealing with Challenging 3A 3B 3C 3D Ambassador
Conversations
BIDS – the rules, pitfalls 4A 4B 4C 4D Hall 4
and re-occurring issues
20Annual Conference 2019
Workshop One – Staff Recruitment and Payments (90 minutes)
Venue: Stanmer
Trainers: Emily Yule and Gina Jones
This workshop will provide solutions for the challenges we are all facing around recruiting and paying staff. It will
demystify things like Real Time Information (RTI), pensions, working time regulations and the implications of the national
minimum/living wage. It will also provide ideas for recruiting staff for electoral processes, overcoming challenges, and
demonstrate good practice in relation to recruitment activities and payments.
Emily Yule (AEA Trainer and Assistant Director – Law & Governance and Monitoring
Officer, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils)
Emily is the Assistant Director for Law and Governance and the Monitoring Officer at Babergh and
Mid Suffolk District Councils having joined the Councils in 2014. Babergh and Mid Suffolk have 189
town and parish councils between them which have provided Emily with ample opportunity to get
to grips with multiple resignations, by-elections, community governance reviews and parish polls.
Emily has been directly involved in the management of elections and electoral registration since
2008 (where have those 11 years gone!) and has been an AEA trainer since 2013. She thoroughly
enjoys meeting colleagues across the country when delivering training and pinching their good ideas!
Emily.yule@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk
01449 724694
Gina Jones (AEA Trainer and Elections Manager, Stoke-on-Trent City Council)
Gina is Elections Manager at Stoke-on-Trent City Council. Gina has worked in Electoral Services
since 2004 and has been an AEA accredited trainer since 2015.
Gina is an AEA Branch Officer for the West Midlands.
Gina has been very lucky to have had an election free year in 2018, following the snap
parliamentary by election and then the extraordinary general election in 2017.
Away from the office, Gina shares her home with one grown up daughter and a very fat cat called
Prince Harry!!
gina.jones@stoke.gov.uk
01782 237169
21Workshop Two – Polling District and Polling Place Reviews (90 minutes)
Venue: Preston Room
Trainers: Lea Goddard and Debby Frost
The compulsory review must be started and completed between 1 October 2018 and 31 January 2020. This workshop
will outline the stages of the review, looking at the process for reconsidering polling districts and their importance as the
building blocks of electoral areas. It will look at the resources required; how to involve stakeholders; how to administer
the review; communication and timing issues; and, what can go wrong and how this can be avoided.
Lea Goddard (AEA Trainer and Senior Elections Programme Manager, Greater London
Authority )
A past Chairman of the AEA, Lea retired in 2017 after a long stint in Local Government. However,
elections are in the blood as many will know, and so after all of seven weeks with pipe and slippers,
Lea joined the Greater London Authority (GLA) as Senior Elections Programme Manager to help
deliver the 2020 GLA elections. Lea is an accredited AEA trainer and really enjoys the opportunities
training presents to meet so many AEA members. Lea is still a keen runner and is now in an age
category that times no longer matter, it’s all about the age grading!!
Lea.goddard@london.gov.uk
020 7084 2705
07749 436135
Debby Frost (AEA Trainer)
Debby’s life in the world of Elections began more than 40 years ago with a secondment to the
Election Team at Newcastle City Council to help with the 1975 Referendum on staying in the
Common Market. She ended up staying in the Elections and Registration Office at Newcastle
for the next 8 years before moving in 1983 to become Electoral Services Manager at Blyth Valley
Council in Northumberland.
In 1986 she joined the AEA and found the support invaluable for someone working alone in an
Election Office for a smaller authority. To give something back she has now been an accredited AEA
Trainer for 20 years.
In 1996 she returned to Newcastle as Electoral Services Manager and continued working there until her (very
early) retirement from the day job after the General Election in 2010. She is now kept very busy, with National and
Branch Training for the AEA. From April 2013 to April 2016 Debby was also Cabinet Office County Lead for IER for
Northumberland and Tyne & Wear
debby.frost@hotmail.co.uk
07811 877029
22Annual Conference 2019
Workshop Three – Dealing with Challenging Conversations (90 minutes)
Venue: Ambassador
Trainer: Sue Keogh
Using examples you may encounter in your day-to-day work, this interactive workshop will identify the skills and
techniques for dealing effectively with challenging conversations. It will help you to understand personal reactions to
challenging conversations; how you can take control of the conversation; discuss options for dealing with conflict; and,
how you can develop your personal resilience when dealing with challenging conversations.
Sue Keogh (Development Consultant)
Sue has worked in improvement and development for over 20 years, formerly with Waverley
Borough Council and South East Employers and currently as a freelance consultant. Sue provides
bespoke consultancy support and development services to Councillors, Council staff and partners
across the country. She has established introductory and advanced Committee Administration
programmes in the South East to help develop Democratic Services Officers. Sue has recently
stepped down from the post of Director of Development on the Board of the Association
of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO) after ten years. She was responsible for the ADSO
qualifications, their annual training programme and conference. More recently, Sue has been
working with the AEA design team and trainers to help develop their knowledge of training theory and practice.
keoghsue1@gmail.com
07854 612170
23Workshop Four - BIDS – the rules, pitfalls and re-occuring issues (60 minutes)
Venue: Hall 4
Trainer: George Cooper
This workshop will give you a practical understanding of the rules, pitfalls and reoccurring issues around BIDs that you
need to be aware of. It will consider the complexities around the timetable, the resource implications, the ballot paper
requirements, how the result is determined, and consider post ballot validity and challenge. This workshop will be 60
minutes to allow for an additional 30 minutes for you to network and visit the exhibition.
George Cooper (London Borough of Haringey)
George is currently Head of Electoral Services & Census Liaison at the London Borough of Haringey,
and has some sixteen years’ experience of electoral management in large Boroughs. He has been
involved in elections alongside other posts since first joining local government in Stoke in 1989.
He has been an AEA Branch Officer in both London and the West Midlands, was a member of the
AEA Board for nine years and chaired the London Branch for three years. He undertook a part-
secondment to the Electoral Commission in 2012 but one of his main career challenges was as AEA
National Chairman in 2013, “on the eve” of IER and as a member of the AEA Management Team as
this enormous change took place.
George is a member of the London Election Management Board and has been delivering training for the Association for
some six years.
George.cooper@haringey.gov.uk
020 8489 2976
24Annual Conference 2019
THE ASSOCIATION OF
ELECTORAL ADMINISTRATORS
The Companies Act 1985
(as amended by the Companies Acts 1989 and 2006)
A company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the above named company
will be held on Wednesday 6 February 2019 at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, Brighton
commencing at 9:30 am for the transaction of the following business:
1. Apologies for absence.
2. To confirm the minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Association held on Wednesday 7
February 2018 at the Hilton Hotel, Blackpool.
3. To receive the Annual Report of the Directors.
4. To consider any recommendations arising from the Annual Report that require the approval of the
Association in general meeting.
5. To receive the Annual Accounts of the Company (Annex C to the Annual Report) for the financial
year ended 30 September 2018.
6. To approve the following special resolution to amend the Articles of Association. The proposed
amendments have been agreed by the AEA Board and are recommended for approval by the
Association. The proposed amendments shown in the schedule below are required because of new
provisions within the Election Rules and a change to the presentation of the Annual Report.
To amend the Articles of Association as set out below:
Article No. Current Proposal
23.1.1 Officers of the Association shall be entitled Officers of the Association shall be entitled
to attend any Branch meeting and speak on to attend any Branch meeting and speak
any matter under discussion at the meeting. on any matter under discussion at the
This right shall not be exercised at any Branch meeting.
meeting (other than of their own Branch) held
during the period of annual nomination and
election of Deputy Chairman of the Association
i.e. from close of nominations to close of poll.
12. All business shall be deemed special that is All business shall be deemed special that
transacted at an Extraordinary General Meeting, is transacted at an Extraordinary General
and all that is transacted at an Annual General Meeting, and all that is transacted at
Meeting shall also be deemed special, with the an Annual General Meeting shall also
exception of the consideration of the income be deemed special, with the exception
and expenditure account and balance sheet, the of the consideration of the income and
reports of the Officers (as detailed in Article 26) expenditure account and balance sheet,
and the report on the election of the Deputy the report of the Directors’ and the report
Chairman. on the election of the Deputy Chairman.
7. To receive the report of the Returning Officer on the Election of Deputy Chairman 2019.
Please note that the minutes of the last AGM, annual accounts and annual report are available for all
members to download from the Association’s website.
Those members who do not have direct access to the Internet may request that the documents be
emailed to them.
Please contact Chris Solich, Support Services Officer (Administration) by
email chris.solich@aea-elections.co.uk to arrange this.
Those members who wish to appoint a proxy to act on their behalf at the AGM may request a proxy notice
from Support Services Officer (Administration) (details above), which must be completed and delivered to
him by email no later than 9.15am on Monday 4 February 2019.
25Annual Dinner and Branch Photographs
The annual dinner will take place at 8:00 p.m. on Monday 4 February 2019 and will be preceded by a wine reception from
7:00 p.m.
IDOX Elections are proud to sponsor the 2019 Branch Photographs.
They will take place on Monday evening prior to the annual dinner from 6:50 pm. Please be in the Oxford Gallery, above
the Oxford Suite, in plenty of time for your designated slot in order that every branch gets their photograph taken before
being called down to dinner at 7:45 pm.
Branch Name Time
Wales Branch 6:50 p.m.
Southern Branch 6:55 p.m.
North East & Yorkshire Branch 7:00 p.m.
London Branch 7:05 p.m.
West Midlands Branch 7:10 p.m.
South East Branch 7:15 p.m.
Eastern Branch 7:20 p.m.
East Midlands Branch 7:25 p.m.
Scotland & NI Branch 7:30 p.m.
North West Branch 7:35 p.m.
South West Branch 7:40 p.m.
Social Night
The theme for the social night on Tuesday 5 February 2019 is “Life’s a Beach”. More information will be included in the
delegate bag.
26Annual Conference 2019
Details of sponsorship
The Association would like to place on record its thanks to the following companies for their sponsorship:
Stand Company Sponsoring
Annual Dinner and Branch Photographs
1&2 Idox Elections Social Night photographs and 50% of the photo-booth,
fancy dress and quiz prizes and table decorations
8 Print UK Annual Dinner Menu and place cards
12 Print Image Network Delegate Pads and Pens
13 FDM Delegate brochures
Conference and workshop signage, Workshop handouts,
16, 17 & 18 The ERS Group
plenary slides and Interactive voting system
23 Smartmatic Delegate bags
24 Stephen Austin & Sons Limited Delegates name badges and lanyards
27AEA Conference and AGM – Brighton 2019
Exhibitor Floor plan – Cambridge & Durham Rooms
AEA Conference and AGM – Brighton 2019
Exhibitor Floor plan – Cambridge & Durham Rooms Fire Fire
Exit Exit
Up
21 20 19
Pakflatt Pakflatt Twofold
ER
18 oup
SG
Exhibition
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Hall 7 is
Up
not used
1 x ns
by the AEA
ERS Group ERS Group
o
Id ctio this year
e
El
17
2 ox s
Id ion
t
ec
El
22
16
ADSO / AEA KNOWiNK
SG World
3
Entrance/Exit
4
Democracy
Modern
23
5
Teas / Coffees
Smartmatic
Cabinet
Office
6
Latcham
Direct
15
Commission Print
Electoral
7
24
Fire
Stephen Exit
Austin
8
UK Versapak
Ouzman
Smith &
14
9
10 11 12
13
Democracy Democracy Print Image
Counts Counts Network FDM
Entrance/Exit Entrance/Exit Entrance/Exit
From Plenary Hall
28Annual Conference 2019
Organisation Idox Elections
Contact Name William Quinton Stand 1&2
Telephone 0333 011 1200 Fax
Email William.Quinton@idoxgroup.com
Idox Elections is a leading supplier of electoral management software, services and support and we're serious about
elections – that’s why we've been in this business for over 25 years.
Trusted to deliver end-to-end solutions for election professionals across the UK and Europe, we offer a holistic approach
unlike any other supplier, covering all areas of electoral management, bar none. With proven experience in automating
processes, increasing efficiencies and maximising cost and time savings, we support authorities in delivering a better
service to their voters at a time of limited budgets and resource. And our support doesn’t stop there…
Our future is driven by that of our growing customer base, developing innovations that allow our customers to innovate
in response. As such, we’re delighted to be able to demonstrate our latest solutions at this year’s Conference – come and
join us on stands 1 and 2 to find out more!
We look forward to welcoming you again to our stand, with some new star prizes in store. For more information about
how we can help you and your team, visit our new website: elections.idoxgroup.com
29Association of Electoral Administrators /
Organisations
Association of Democratic Services Officers
AEA Contact Name Tasha Davis Stand 3
AEA Telephone 07772 495897 Fax
AEA Email Tasha.davis@aea-elections.co.uk
ADSO Contact Name John Lynch Stand 3
ADSO Telephone 07714 996 977 Fax
ADSO Email John.lynch@adso.co.uk
AEA
Visit the AEA stand for your chance to win a free delegate place on any of our 1 Day training courses this year.
Whilst at the stand you can find out what the AEA can do for you.
We will be able to give you information about all the services the AEA can provide, training courses, polling station
training, bespoke training at your local authority, professional services, consultancy or the AEA Health Check. We can let
you know what is involved in being a Branch officer and the support the AEA nationally provides for Branches and what
the advantages of membership are. You can find out about the website and how to make the most of it and if you want
to know more about what we have done for members over the last 12 months then please stop by. We would be happy
to answer any questions you have about the Association and how it operates. You can also put faces to the people you
may be in contact with at the AEA regularly.
Want more information? Come along and speak to us at our stand.
We look forward to seeing you in Brighton!
ADSO
ADSO is the professional body for democratic services and governance officers within England and Wales. We promote
best practice and provide training and professional qualifications for our members tailored for the governance sector.
ADSO was created in 2009 and we have grown to a membership of over 1000 across 275 authorities.
We are keen to work collaboratively with partner organisations and we believe that by working together, we can
strengthen the democratic and governance influence nationally and regionally, particularly in relation to Central
Government initiatives and legislation.
30Annual Conference 2019
Organisation KNOWiNK
Contact Name Londa Young Stand 4
Telephone 855-765-5723 Fax
Email Londa@knowink.com
KNOWiNK combines the knowledge of election officials with former government and commercial information
technology professionals to deliver a total solution: The Poll Pad electronic poll book and ePulse election management
application. We created the Poll Pad solution to help election officials save taxpayer time and money, and maintain
efficient and transparent elections.
Organisation Modern Democracy
Contact Name Ruairi Crossan Stand 5
Telephone 02871 867631 Fax
Email rcrossan@moderndemocracy.com
Modern Democracy is a leading provider of innovative software to the election industry. Our award-winning Modern
Polling election day solution has been used by authorities throughout the UK to improve voter experience and give
better control and visibility of polling stations on election day. This cost-effective solution is easy to deploy and complies
with all current regulations. Come and see us at stand 5 for a demonstration.
Organisation Cabinet Office
Contact Name Simon James Stand 6
Simon James 0207 276 6761
Telephone Modern Registration Division - Fax
0207 271 8528
elections@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Email
mrd-engagement@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
The Cabinet Office would like to invite you to come and visit us on our stand. We will have staff around during the day
to talk about and answer questions on election funding, Voter ID pilots, Canvass Reform, Democratic Engagement and
IER funding.
We will also have staff from Gov.UK Notify who will be on hand to show you how using this service can help you
communicate with your electorate for registration and elections. The service can send emails and texts at zero cost, and
letters at a competitive price.
31You can also read
