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RESOLVED:

1.      That this Council notes
that:

a)      The Elections Act is a
major piece of national legislation with local implications for the
residents of this local authority, including the use of mandatory
photographic voter ID at the polling station, changes to overseas
voting and voting and candidacy rights of EU citizens.

b)      According to the 2021
census, one in six usual residents of England and Wales were born
outside the UK. They live, work, study, make use of public
services, and call the UK their home. Many foreign-born residents
of this local authority from EU and Commonwealth countries can vote
in our local elections. However, over 1 million residents across
England and Northern Ireland do not have a right to
vote.

c)      Scotland and Wales
implemented residence-based voting rights where all residents with
lawful immigration status have the right to vote in local and
devolved national elections.

d)      Over 50% of people agree
that every resident, no matter where they are from, should have the
right to vote at least in local elections.

2.      That this Council
welcomes:

a)      That all our residents, no
matter their nationality, call this local authority their home and
bring significant value to our area.

b)      That the voting and candidacy
rights of EU citizens with pre-settled and settled status who
entered the UK before 2021 will be maintained through the Elections
Act.

c)      That 11 local authorities
across England have passed motions asking for the right to vote to
be extended to all residents in local elections.

3.      That this Council
expresses concern that:

a)      EU citizens who enter the
UK from the 1st of January 2021 and are not covered by bilateral
voting rights treaties (currently only active with Denmark, Poland,
Luxembourg, Portugal, and Spain) will lose voting and candidacy
rights in local elections when the Elections Act is fully
implemented. This will create an unequal situation where some EU
citizens will have the right to vote where others will
not. 

b)      The complexity in voting
eligibility will cause confusion and will reduce voter turnout in
local elections amongst migrant voters, a group already
under-registered compared to British voters.

c)      A burden will be placed on
Local Authorities managing the removal of a significant number of
EU citizens from the electoral register. This may result in some
being wrongfully removed from the electoral register.

4.      That this Council commits
to:

a)      Write to the Minister of
State at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
and the relevant shadow frontbenchers requesting that the franchise
for local elections be extended to all qualifying foreign nationals
in England and Northern Ireland in line with eligibility criteria
in Scotland and Wales. This would ensure a UK-wide and fair
approach to voting rights so that all our residents, who are also
our council tax payers, are enfranchised.

b)      Delivering a training to
councillors and relevant officers on the changes brought by the
Elections Act so that residents can be accurately informed about
their current voting rights.

c)      Work collaboratively with
voluntary sector organisations in our local authority to reach
residents about current voter eligibility rules and how to
vote.

d)      Ensure council officers in
Democratic Services have a strategy in place to ensure that the
implementation of the Elections Act, including the removal of some
EU citizens from the register, does not wrongfully remove eligible
voters from the register.

e)      Continue promoting voter
registration and photo ID requirements to residents at citizenship
ceremonies, events, and other communication channels.