Lincolnshire County Council Elections District Council By-Election - Thursday 6 May 2021 Presentation for Candidates & Agents - North Kesteven ...
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Lincolnshire County Council Elections District Council By-Election Thursday 6 May 2021 Presentation for Candidates & Agents
The Team Ian Fytche: Deputy Returning Officer - responsible for running the elections & Electoral Registration Officer - maintaining register of electors Phil Roberts/Russell Stone: NK Acting Deputy Returning Officers Marcella Heath: NK Democratic Services Manager Debbie Barnes: CX at LCC and County Returning Officer David Hair and Cheryl Evans: LCC Democratic Services Mike Billam: Elections Special Point of Contact (SPOC) NK Electoral Services: Lynsey, Sarah, Melissa, Elspeth, Amy
Purpose of Briefing
▸ Provide information to prospective candidates/agents for
Lincolnshire County Council election & NKDC Bassingham &
Brant Broughton by-election
▸ Promote confidence in democratic process, taking account of
Covid19 pandemic, to ensure these elections are conducted as
safely as possible
▸ Outline support in role of councillor and post election dutiesTopics
Election timetable Verification and Counting of
votes
Qualifications The Poll and Campaigning
Disqualifications Voter Registration
Nominations & Agents Electoral Malpractice
Candidate spending LCC – Being a CouncillorCovid19 Context
§ Arrangements reflect public health advice - social
distancing measures, personal hygiene (face coverings,
hand hygiene), one way systems, cleaning & disinfection
§ Be aware of coronavirus symptoms and should not attend
election related events if unwell, symptomatic and/or
confirmed case/in contact with someone self-isolating
§ Consider having Lateral Flow Tests
§ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-
stop-the-spread-of-coronavirus-covid-19/how-to-stop-
the-spread-of-coronavirus-covid-19Current Lateral Flow Test Sites ▸ Lincoln Croft Street (St Swithens) Community Centre, Croft Street, Baggholme Road, Off Monks Road, Lincoln, LN2 5AX ▸ Haven High Tollfield Campus, 90-96 Tollfield Rd, Boston, PE21 9PN ▸ Peter Paine Performance Centre, Rosebery Ave, Boston, PE21 7QR ▸ Better Gym Sleaford: Oakside Park Industrial Estate, East Rd, Sleaford NG34 7EH ▸ Lincoln City Football Club, LNER Stadium, Lincoln, LN5 8LD ▸ Newark Sport and Fitness Centre, Lord Hawke Way, Bowbridge Road
11 County Divisions – North Kesteven One seat per County Division: Bassingham & Welbourn Eagle & Hykeham West Heckington Hykeham Forum Metheringham Rural Potterhanworth & Coleby Ruskington Sleaford Sleaford Rural Waddington & Hykeham East Washingborough Bassingham & Brant Broughton District Ward
Terminology LCC: Lincolnshire County Council PCC: Police and Crime Commissioner NKDC: North Kesteven District Council DRO: Deputy Returning Officer (County) RO: Returning Officer (District/Parish) ERO: Electoral Registration Officer PARO: Police Area Returning Officer Absent vote: use of postal vote or appoint a proxy to vote
Election Timetable ~ Key Events & Dates Mon 22 March Publication of Notice of Election 10am – 4pm Poll Cards are posted all working days Delivery of Nomination Papers Commences Thursday 8 April 4pm Close of Nominations and Withdrawals Thursday 8 April 4pm Appointment of Election Agent Deadline Friday 9 April Publication of Statement of Persons Nominated Not later than 4pm Fri 16 April – Issue of Postal Votes (1st Main Batch) no earlier Combined postal pack Mon 19 April Midnight Deadline to apply to Register to Vote
Election Timetable ~ Key Events & Dates
Tuesday 20 April 5pm Deadline for new postal vote applications / changes
to existing postal or proxy vote arrangements
Thursday 22 April Expected start of Postal Vote Opening Sessions
Friday 23 April- Issue 2nd wave of postal packs
no earlier
Tuesday 27 April 5pm Deadline for applications for New Proxy Votes
Wednesday 28 April Appointment of Postal, Polling & Count Agents
Midnight Return completed forms
Thursday 6 May 7am-10pm Polling Day
Friday 11 June Return of Election ExpensesQualifications – LCC Only Candidates must satisfy criteria on day of nomination and polling day: ü Be at least 18 years of age ü Be a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen (with indefinite leave to remain) or national of an EU member state Also at least one of the following: ü Registered local government elector in Lincolnshire ü Occupied as owner or tenant any land or premises in Lincolnshire during the whole 12 months preceding nomination ü Principal or only place of work (including unpaid) during last 12 months in Lincolnshire ü Lived in Lincolnshire during the last 12 months
Qualifications –NKDC Only Candidates must satisfy criteria on day of nomination and polling day: ü Be at least 18 years of age ü Be a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, or national of an EU member state Also at least one of the following: ü Registered local government elector in North Kesteven area ü Occupied as owner or tenant any land or premises - North Kesteven area during the whole 12 months preceding nomination ü Principal or only place of work (including unpaid) during last 12 months in North Kesteven area ü Lived in North Kesteven area during the last 12 months
Disqualifications
A person cannot be a candidate if :
§ employed by Lincolnshire County Council or hold a paid office under the
authority. Candidates may be ‘employed by the local authority’ if work at
certain schools, fire services, police or health services.
§ subject of a Bankruptcy Restrictions Order (or interim order) in England or
Wales
§ sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 3 months or more (incl
suspended sentence) during 5 years before polling day
§ serving a disqualification due to being found guilty of a corrupt or illegal
practice by an election court
§ hold a politically restricted post
If in doubt - seek independent legal advice
DRO cannot confirm whether or not candidates are disqualifiedNomination Details
Documents that must be printed for submission for hand-delivery
a) nomination form
b) home address form
c) consent to nomination
These cannot be submitted by post, fax, email or other electronic means
Ensure that where signatures are required to submit original signed version
Party candidates need to submit
§ certificate authorising use of party name or registered description on
ballot paper
§ written request to use one of party’s emblems on ballot paper
by 4pm Thursday 8 AprilNomination Form
§ Include your FULL name (forenames and surname) as appears in
Register
§ Optional: use commonly used if commonly known by a name other than
actual name and wish to use instead. But you cannot use your first name
to exclude your middle name. Note – these names will appear on
‘Statement of Persons Nominated’, ‘Notice of Poll’ and ‘Ballot Paper’
§ Description - 3 options :
□ leave blank;
□ Independent;
□ Party candidates can use party name or description authorised by
a certificate issued by or on behalf of the Nominating Officer of the
political party. Must match exactly as registered with Electoral
CommissionNomination Form - Subscribers § No of signatures reduced from 10 to two for these elections § Check details of subscribers against electoral register at 1 March and for Division/Ward that you are standing in § Listed on Electoral Register on 1 March and for Division/Ward in which you are standing § Must still be ‘wet’ signature and no electronic alternatives are permitted § Only ask to sign after completing name, address and description fields on form § Subscribers can sign nomination paper for only one candidate § Always enquire, before asking a subscriber to sign your form, if they have already signed another form § Names of subscribers will appear on Notice of Poll if election is contested
Home Address Form – Part 1 Must be complete by all candidates : § Candidate’s full name § Home address in full § Qualifying address - where you have declared on your ‘Consent to Nomination’ that you meet more than one qualification then provide qualifying addresses for each § Full name and home address of witness - this must be same person as signs ‘Consent to Nomination’ form
Home Address Form – Part 2
Complete only if you do not want your home address made
public on notices and ballot paper:
§ If you do not want your home address to appear on
‘Statement of Persons Nominated’ or ‘Ballot Paper’ you
must complete Part 2 of ‘Home Address Form’
§ Name of the relevant area in which your home address is
situated e.g. could be ‘North Kesteven area’ if you live in
NK district
§ Note: if you are your own election agent, then your home
address will appear on Election Agent Notice unless there is
an office addressConsent to Nomination Form Must include: § name and address § name of Division (Ward) you are standing in § Confirm all qualifications that apply but at least one § date of birth and signature § witness name & signature must match that of ‘witness’ on Home Address Form § date of consent not earlier than one calendar month 8 March 2021 § do not detach the pages listing ‘disqualifications’
Certificate of Authorisation/Emblem Request
§ Political party candidates must have written permission to use the
party name/description from the Nominating Officer (or a person
appointed to act on their behalf)
§ Certificate may:
o allow the use of the party name or a particular description
o allow candidate to choose whether to use the party name or any of
the descriptions registered with the Electoral Commission
§ Must match as registered with the Electoral Commission
§ Must be submitted by 4pm Thursday 8 April 2021Election Agent § Responsible for the proper management of the candidate’s election campaign; particularly its financial management § Notification of appointment must reach the Deputy Returning Officer by 4pm on Thursday 8 April 2021 § Form included in nomination pack § Any candidate who does not appoint an election agent will become their own agent by default
Nomination Papers & Informal Checks
§ Available to download from NKDC website or Electoral
Commission
§ Paper copies posted upon request- call 01529 308024 or
email BusinessSupportTeam@n-kesteven.gov.uk
§ Strongly advise having your nomination papers checked in
advance before formally submitting and can email
nominations@n-Kesteven.gov.uk
Take care when completing as mistakes may invalidate your
nominationNomination Office & Appointments
§ NKDC Offices, Lafford Terrace, East Road, Sleaford NG34 7EF
§ ½ hour appointment per single nomination paper
§ Max two people to attend per appointment
§ No restriction on who can deliver – but someone you trust
§ To make an appointment
§ BusinessSupportTeam@n-kesteven.gov.uk
01529 308024Nomination Delivery Protocol
From 22 March:
§ Deliver papers to NKDC, Lafford Terrace, East Road, Sleaford
NG34 7EF
§ Layout plan in nomination pack with disabled access route
§ Two allocated parking spaces for Candidates/Agents
§ Phone 01529 308024 or 308352 on arrival & wait outside
§ Wear face covering & comply with all Covid19 control measures
§ No access to other facilities
Don’t leave it late - deadline by 4pm Thursday 8 AprilAccess to Register/Absent Voter Lists
Electoral Register published on 1 March 2021 used to:
§ Complete nomination form (Check details to enter polling district
letters and elector number against each subscriber)
§ Help you campaign
§ Check that donations/loans are permissible
Access to Register from Monday 29 March 2021 and must make written
request to ERO – forms included in nomination pack
Only use data for permitted purposes!Data Protection Responsibilties When collecting subscriber information, • point out what the information will be used for and shared on notice • that it will be shared with Deputy Returning Officer • how it will be processed and kept secure. The lawful basis to collect is: necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest and exercise of official authority as set out in Representation of the People Act 1983 and associated regulations. For further information on data protection: https://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/privacy/ https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/guide-to- the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr/
Postal Voting Agents § Sessions expected to start Thurs 22 April § Will give 48 hours notice if any changes to opening sessions § Written notice of name and address must be given to DRO before start of postal vote opening session § No public access to building – must phone upon arrival § Call 01529 308352 to check which Divisions are being opened before attending § Observe all Covid19 control measures and consider having a Lateral Flow Test § You won’t be able to see the actual votes as ballot papers are opened face down
Polling and Count Agent Appointments § Written notice of name and address must be given to the DRO on or before Wednesday 28 April 2021 for both appointments § One Agent per party/individual candidate allowed in polling station at any time - please be aware of any impact on voter and colleague safety § Forms included in nomination pack and your responsibility to send on time
Polling Day – 6 May 2021
§ 103 Polling Stations in 84 Polling Places
§ Polling station locations will be available on website
§ Open from 7am to 10pm
§ Ballot Paper Colours:
PCC: White LCC: Pale Yellow
NKDC: Pale Green Parish: Lilac
§ One ballot box for LCC & PCC
§ Separate ballot box for any contested local election
§ All staff, candidates, agents and electors to wear face covering
§ Follow all other Covid19 control measures
§ Voters expect to queue & encouraged to bring own pencil/penVerification and Count § Commence verification from 10pm Thurs 6 May § Verification: only sort ballot papers between LCC/PCC/Local Elections to ensure that all ballot papers issued at polling stations and all returned postal ballot papers have been brought to the count § Commence LCC count from 9am Fri 7 May § Limit numbers to take account of Covid19 measures § Candidate, election agent and expect one counting agent § Final venue details to be provided and entrance strictly by ticket only for security reasons § Written notice of names and addresses must be given to DRO on or before Wednesday 28 April 2021
Candidate’s Spending
§ Defined as certain expenses ‘used for the purposes of the candidate’s
election’ from date officially become a candidate
§ Responsibility of election agent
§ Limit on expenses:
£806 + 7p per elector in Division (Ward/Parish) on register in force
on 1 March
reduced for joint candidates
§ Must obtain and keep receipts over £20Spending Returns Spending is not reimbursed § Returns of expenditure due 35 calendar days after the declaration of election result Friday 11 June § LCC election forms returned to Election Expenses, County Offices, Newland, Lincoln LN1 1YL § NKDC forms returned to Elections Office, NKDC, Sleaford NG34 7EF § Returns made public by (Deputy) Returning Officer § Sample of returns may be reviewed by Electoral Commission § Failure to submit an expenses return is a criminal offence even if you do not spend anything
Voter Registration
§ Encourage people to register as soon as possible
§ Need to provide National Insurance number, date of birth & address
§ Registration deadline - midnight Monday 19 April
§ If encouraging people who don’t have a postal (or proxy) vote to apply,
explain that they will only qualify if they are (or will be) registered in
time to vote at these elections
§ Apply to register online at
https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
Encourage early applicationEmergency Proxy & Covid19
§ Anyone self-isolating or symptomatic should not go out
to vote
§ New legislation being put in place to support those self-
isolating as a result of coronavirus exposure, testing or
symptoms or who test positive for the virus
§ Apply for an emergency proxy vote after 5pm on Tues 27
April until 5pm on Thursday 6 May, without having to
find someone to attest their application
§ And during this time period anyone whose appointed
proxy has been affected by coronavirus can apply to
change their proxyCampaigning
§ Ensure you read the Code of Conduct for Campaigners provided by
Electoral Commission
§ Use imprints on all campaign material, including websites
§ Comply with planning rules relating to advertising hoardings and
large banners
§ Do not produce material that looks like a poll card
§ Do not pay people to display advertisements (unless it is part of their
normal business e.g. Newspapers)Current Gov Campaigning Guidance
§ From 8 March door to door political campaigning can resume
§ Activities to follow relevant rules on gatherings and social distancing
§ If necessary to meet electors - do so outdoors, for example on
doorstep on a one to one basis but not enter people’s homes
§ Only access shared hallways/flats where absolutely necessary
§ Keep number of campaigners to minimum and ensure stay at least 2
metres apart from each other
§ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-governments-
approach-to-elections-and-referendums-during-covid-19/the-
governments-approach-to-elections-and-referendums-during-covid-19Political Notices on Highways
§ Not to be erected earlier than 48 hours before polling day and
removed within 14 days after close of poll
§ Can only be sited 25 – 200 metres from entrance to polling place
§ Fix to existing structures within highway using non-ferrous materials
§ Posters may not be displayed so as to impede visibility at road junctions
or pedestrian crossings or the free movement of highway users so as to
obscure traffic signs
§ Objections and queries relating to display of posters addressed directly
to LCC Highways cschighways@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Posters displayed on private land are exempt from above conditionsCampaigning – Polling Stations Allowed to put your messages to voters on polling day but: § Keep access to polling places and pavements around polling places clear to allow voters to queue § Do not campaign in a way that could be seen by voters as aggressive or intimidating (for example, large groups of supporters carrying banners, or vehicles with loudspeakers or heavily branded with campaign material) § Do not approach electors outside polling place with leaflets/posters § Do not transport electors in private vehicles in order to access polling stations given the risk to public health - car sharing has been identified as a particular risk of transmission § Tellers: No legal status and not permitted within polling place for these elections
Campaigning – Absent Vote Applications Combined postal pack with PCC and any other contested local election § Ensure that electors understand implications of an absent vote § Do not encourage postal ballot pack redirection § Campaigners should not collect postal ballots from electors for submission to Deputy Returning Officer (known as ‘vote harvesting’) § Never observe electors completing their postal vote § Do not encourage electors to appoint a campaigner as proxy § Note for security reasons, signature and date of birth on applications are stored electronically and checked against postal voting statement returned with postal vote
NK Contact Details
Ian Fytche 01529 414155
Ian_Fytche@n-kesteven.gov.uk
Phil Roberts 01529 414155
Philip_Roberts@n-Kesteven.gov.uk
Russell Stone 01529 414155
Russell_stone@n-kesteven.gov.uk
Marcella Heath 01529 308291/07810 528162
Marcella_heath@n-kesteven.gov.uk
Electoral Services 01529 308238/308352
elections@n-kesteven.gov.ukGuidance Electoral Commission: Political parties, candidates or agents https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/candidate-or-agent/local- elections-england Government Polls Delivery Plan: May 2021 polls delivery plan - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) NKDC: https://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/elections2021 LCC: https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/council-business/elections/3
Reporting Electoral Malpractice
§ All Lincs authorities work closely with Lincolnshire Police
§ Allegations/details must be put in writing by complainant
§ Contact DRO with initial concerns
§ Only Police can investigate any allegations of malpractice
and fraud where appropriate
§ Referrals to: elections@lincs.pnn.police.uk
§ Note: Election will still continueIntroduction to
Lincolnshire County
CouncilThe Election Count
• LCC Democratic Services and senior
officer present at each election count
• Opportunity for successful candidates to
sign ‘Declaration of Acceptance of Office’
form
• Discussion around practical arrangements
for first days as councillorCouncillor Induction
• Provision of IT hardware
• Programme of Induction events
commencing on Thursday 13th May
• Support throughout from Democratic
ServicesThe Councillors
• 70 councillors each representing an area
known as a ‘division’
• Four year term of office
• Executive / Scrutiny governance model
• Virtual meetingsRoles of a Councillor
Executive
Regulatory
or
Overview &
Scrutiny
Community Politician
Champion
(70 Divisions)Committee Structure
Executive Support
EXECUTIVE COUNTY COUNCIL
Councillors
Overview and
Health & Wellbeing Regulatory and
Scrutiny Management
Board Board Other Committees
Audit
Committee
Appointment Pay Policy
Children & Public Environmen Highways Health s Committee Sub-Committee
Adults &
Young Protection and t& & Scrutiny
Community
People Communities Economy Transport Committee
Wellbeing Pension
Scrutiny Scrutiny Scrutiny Scrutiny for
Scrutiny Board
Committee Committee Committee Committee Lincolnshire
Committee
Pensions
Flood & Water Committee
Corporate Management Definitive Map &
Parenting Scrutiny Scrutiny Planning & Statement of
Panel Committee Panel A Regulations Public Rights of
Committee Way Sub-
Scrutiny Committee
Panel BDemocratic Services Structure Chart
Head of Democratic Services and
Statutory Scrutiny Officer
Nigel West
Members Services Manager
David Hair
Senior Democratic Services Health Scrutiny Officer
Officer Simon Evans
Katrina Cope Executive Support Officers
(Executive Councillors)
Vicky Booth
Democratic Services Officers Gemma Hawkes Senior Scrutiny Officer
Cheryl Evans Jane Woods Tracy Johnson
Nicholas Harrison
Rachel Wilson
Vacancy Management Support
Officer Scrutiny Officer
(Opposition Councillors) Kiara Chatziioannou
Kim Khajehnoori
Democratic Support and
Information Officer
Sue Hall
Civic and Lord-Lieutenant’s
Officer
Rachel WallisYou can also read
