The Director of Law and Governance introduced a report which brought forward a process to enable a change to a four year, “all out” electoral cycle at the earliest opportunity following a recommendation made in the External Assurance Review of 2 November 2021, that the Council should move to implement such a change.

The earliest practicable year for a change in electoral scheme to whole council elections was considered to be 2023, which provided the Council with the ability to consult and prepare for the change and was felt to best accord with the Boundary Commission’s planned review. The report detailed the steps required for such a change to take place.

It was moved by Councillor Paul Stuart and seconded by Councillor Yvonne Nolan, that –

“This Committee authorises commencement of a consultation process with a view to changing the Council’s scheme for elections by thirds to a scheme for whole-council elections and that the year for elections be set for the purposes of the consultation as 2023.”

It was then moved as an amendment by Councillor Tom Anderson and seconded by Councillor Lesley Rennie, that –

“This Committee authorises commencement of a consultation process with a view to changing the Council’s scheme for elections by thirds to a scheme for whole-council elections and that the year for elections be set for the purposes of the consultation as 2022.”

Following a considered debate on the amendment and motion, the amendment was put and lost (5:10).

The motion was then put and carried (15:0), and it was therefore –

Resolved (15:0) -  That this Committee authorises commencement of a consultation process with a view to changing the Council’s scheme for elections by thirds to a scheme for whole-council elections and that the year for elections be set for the purposes of the consultation as 2023.

Responding to a Member’s comment the Director of Law and Governance confirmed that the Boundary Commission would be informed of this decision, with the Commission being due to start their review in 2023/24, the impact of their proposals would then come into effect in 2027, should whole-council elections be implemented from 2023.