Association of Electoral Administrators Annual Conference 2018
Hilton Hotel, Blackpool 4 - 7 February 2018
ote electoral services Annual Conference 2018
Conference Programme 2018 Conference Programme 2018 - continued (All Plenary Sessions to be held in the Royal Suite) (All Plenary Sessions to be held in the Royal Suite) Sunday, 4 February 2018 Tuesday, 6 February 2018 Time Session Chairman & Speakers Time Session Chairman & Speakers From 15:30 Registration - The Royal Foyer, Hilton Hotel 8:30 Visit exhibition stands - Queens Suite 16:30 Exhibition opening reception - Queens Suite Chairman: John Turner The Registration of Political Parties and Candidates’ Speakers: Bob Posner Chairman: Lea Goddard 9:15 18:00 2017 was meant to be a quiet year! Expenses Catherine Webster Speaker: Tim Burke John Turner 19:30 Supper - Promenade Restaurant and Lancaster Suite Speakers: Frank Cuthbert 10:00 Welsh Electoral Reform Monday, 5 February 2018 Rhys George Time Session Chairman & Speakers 10:45 Tea/Coffee - Exhibition area, Queens Suite 11:15 Workshops 8:30 Visit exhibition stands - Queens Suite 12:45 Lunch - Promenade Restaurant and lounge area Chairman: Andy Tiffin Speakers: Mark Hughes Chairman: Gina Armstrong 9:15 Question Time Ailsa Irvine Speakers: Simon James, Jo Miller 13:45 Elections and Cyber Security Representative from National Frances Cleland Cyber Security Centre & Liz Read 10:30 Electoral Commission Update Speaker: Sir John Holmes GCVO KBE CMG Speakers: John Tomlinson 11:00 Tea/Coffee - Exhibition area, Queens Suite 14:30 The Higher Education and Research Act 2017 Rob Young Joe Rennie 11:30 Workshops 15:00 Tea/Coffee - Exhibition Area, Queens Suite 13:00 Lunch - Promenade Restaurant and lounge area 15:30 Workshops Chairman: John Turner 14:00 Keynote Speech from the Minister for the Constitution Speaker: Chloe Smith MP 17:00 Close 14:30 Modern Electoral Registration Programme Update Speaker: Lee Pope Wednesday, 7 February 2018 15:00 Tea/Coffee - Exhibition area, Queens Suite Time Session Chairman & Speakers 15:30 Workshops 9:15 Annual General Meeting 17:00 Close 9:30 Interpreting Legislation - Interactive Plenary Speaker: Peter Stanyon
10:45 Formal Close Speaker: James Stevens
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Chairman’s Welcome Resilience to the fore However we must continue to shout as loud as we can about what we require to deliver electoral registration and elections, because it sometimes does go wrong. Working together can help us all to resolve issues and ensure we learn Welcome to Blackpool and the AEA annual conference. I do hope that you will find from our mistakes. the next few days an enjoyable and rewarding experience. I started by saying that the Association has in 31 years gone from strength to strength. One person who has led from the This is the 31st AEA annual conference. Consider that for one moment – the AEA front throughout is, of course, our current Chief Executive, John Turner, who retires from the post this year. Much will be is 31 years old. What an achievement, especially when you consider the humble said, quite rightly, over the next few days, but to me John is a leader who is a diplomat, expert, achiever, strategist and concept of the AEA compared to its current position at the very top table of the alchemist all rolled into one. We all owe John a huge debt of gratitude for the way he has led the Association. I’m sure you democratic process. You can only marvel at the journey the AEA has been on. A will all join me in saying thank you John and we wish you all the very best for future endeavours. We can be certain that journey undertaken with an ability to adapt to change and an inner resilience to we have not seen the last of Mr AEA. ensure the very best outcomes for its members. In closing my thanks go to Louise Cooke, the Immediate Past Chairman, and all of the AEA Staff and the Elected Officers The same principles around adaptability and resilience are just as applicable to for their valuable contribution in the success of the AEA over the last year. I would also like to welcome the incoming each and every member of the Association. Yet again 2017 placed an enormous Chairman, Andy Tiffin. Having worked with Andy these last twelve months I can tell you that he will be a fantastic strain on all of us as we learnt of the news of a UK Parliamentary general election Chairman. Andy I wish you an enjoyable, rewarding and successful year. being unexpectedly called some three weeks before the May 2017 local government elections. I would also like to place on record my thanks for the support I received during my year as Chairman from my colleagues How did we react, the same as we always do, we rolled up our sleeves and set to with a professional will and an at the London Borough of Croydon. unwavering resolve to do whatever had to be done to run the electoral process to the very best of our professional abilities. Enjoy conference!
Consider this fact in connection with the general election. Nearly forty seven million people were registered to vote, a Lea Goddard number which the Electoral Commission reported was the largest ever electorate for a UK-wide poll. Think of that figure again, forty seven million registered electors! Each and every one of them the responsibility of the electoral profession; yes Chairman you, to ensure each elector could carry out the democratic right to vote. And you delivered, huge numbers wanted to vote and they did with a turnout of over 69%. So well done to each and every one of you.
I make no apologies if this all reads like self-congratulations. We have, as a profession, a compelling modesty about our achievements and often deflect praise when given. However, take time out to look back and consider your achievements over the past twelve months. Allow yourselves a pat on the back.
Sometimes the going can get very tough and that inner resolve can waver. That is why the AEA has done much over the last twelve months to address the question around self-awareness and the help and support available to members when on occasion the stress levels have been hard to contain. Stress and the support avenues available to members has been a personal theme during my year of office and I am so pleased that the Association has picked it up and run with it. It’s so good to talk around such matters.
One thing I can be sure of is that in conversation with our stakeholders from the Government, Electoral Commission and others, there is a real understanding of the pressures we are under. There is a real desire to work together to ensure we have the very best chance to ensure the democratic process is delivered to the highest standards. We all want to bridge the gap to ensure success.
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Chief Executive’s Foreword
On looking back, I seem to always start every one of these Conference forewords national level. There is still much to do as an organisation. Equally, the challenges facing the profession as a whole and by saying that the past year has been extremely challenging for one or more our members individually are just as intense if not more so than they were a year ago. We will continue to strive to ensure reasons. Much as I would like to break the trend, I know that it would be that electoral administration in this country is of the highest quality and that it provides a level of confidence and trust impossible to do so given the past 12 months that we have experienced. The that the public should both expect and deserve. conduct of the General election closely following the other elections that were held in May was keenly felt and presented almost the final straw in electoral This is, of course, the last time that I will prepare such a foreword. I have been very privileged to hold the post of Chief terms. This is particularly the case when the challenges get ever more difficult and Executive of the AEA and am extremely proud of what the AEA has become and what it does. History will, of course, judge the resources for dealing with those challenges seem to reduce in ever sharper what has been accomplished in terms of the Association’s contribution to the democratic process in this country but it contrast. The backdrop of the biggest change to the registration system for well is my personal belief that what has been achieved since 1987 is considerable and probably without parallel in terms of over a century made life no easier particularly in terms of a record number of other professions within local government. If nothing else, what my involvement in the AEA has taught me is that British registration and absent vote applications in the run up to 8 June. It is for these democracy is one of the most admired in the world. Undoubtedly, that is because of the expertise, professionalism and reasons that the major focus of this Conference will be how we cope with utter commitment of all of you and your colleagues. everything that has happened over the past five years and undoubtedly lies ahead. For all these reasons, the programme has been prepared on the basis of providing I sincerely hope that you will enjoy the 31st Annual Conference of the AEA and that you will take full opportunity of what you with as much information as possible about the many changes that will or it has to offer. I also hope that you will leave Blackpool feeling reinvigorated and refreshed and ready to face whatever could be faced in the world of electoral administration over the next three years or lies ahead in terms of improving this cornerstone of the democratic process. One thing is certain – having got this far, the so. AEA is here to stay and here to support you in the extremely important work that you do.
The agenda for the future and the work and change that it brings with it is daunting to say the least. I have never known John Turner such a period of change in such a short time and, once this programme is complete, electoral administration will be hardly Chief Executive recognisable from that which applied when the AEA was founded over 30 years ago. Clearly, such significant change, together with the overall situation facing local government and, in particular, its resources, will have a lasting effect on those who work within electoral administration in this country. We have been heavily involved in working with the Cabinet Office, the Electoral Commission and several other stakeholders in preparing for what lies ahead. We may not always agree with each other but the mere fact that we have a seat at the table means that we cannot be ignored and speaks volumes for the progress we have made and the reputation that we have earned. This is evidenced by the fact that the Minister, Chloe Smith MP and Sir John Holmes, the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, so readily agreed to attend and speak at Conference. I look forward to hearing what they have to say and their continuing engagement with the AEA.
As usual, those responsible for Conference under the careful leadership of James Stevens, Sue Bedford and Laura Lock have worked extremely hard behind the scenes in making the arrangements for this Annual Conference. The members of the team know that we have much to live up to when we consider past successes and we constantly strive to improve year on year. I am always surprised at how much detail goes into putting together the Conference programme and making the many and varied arrangements which represent the very professional way in which this event is now organised and presented. On behalf of all those attending, I would want to place on record my appreciation of the efforts made by all those involved in the planning and delivery of the Conference including the speakers at the plenary sessions and the trainers responsible for the delivery of the workshops.
The changes which we make each year are based largely on the feedback we receive about the previous Conference. The Events Officer Group spends some time in learning from that feedback including building on our strengths and seeking to rectify our weaknesses. Please make sure that you complete your questionnaire this year.
The Association has again had a challenging year but, I believe, we are stronger for it and are making a difference at a
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Plenary Sessions 1. 2017 was meant to be a quiet year! 2. Question Time Tim Burke, BBC Politics Editor, will open Conference 2018 with an opportunity for members to hear about the experience This session will examine current issues facing the profession and hear the thoughts and opinions from stakeholders of journalists in the run up to the 2017 UKPGE. It is easy to forget we weren’t the only ones under pressure thanks to Mrs before delegates make their vote count on a series of key questions relating to the future of electoral administration. May and we hope you enjoy hearing about how the media responded.
Andy Tiffin (Elections & Information Manager, Hart District Council) Chair of the morning Lea Goddard (AEA Chairman and London Borough of Croydon) session. Lea is Head of Electoral and Civic Services at the London Borough of Croydon and has had a local Prior to joining local government Andy worked in the banking sector. After seeing the financial government career spanning nearly 40 years. So suitably tired and worn-out, he is looking to retire “writing on the wall”, he naively leapt into what he thought was the sleepy world of elections. in June this year following the May 2018 elections. In a varied career, Lea has worked for a number Six months later his first experience of running a poll was at the combined European and Local of local authorities mainly within the Democratic Services discipline, with electoral services being Government election in 2004 where just surviving seemed an over ambitious expectation. He did the common theme throughout his career. however manage to avoid a petition, despite not really knowing what he was doing. Lea has for the past twelve months been the Chairman of the AEA, a role that he has enjoyed He grew up in Northumberland and now works at Hart District Council in Hampshire. He has really immensely. enjoyed the last year as Deputy Chair working alongside Lea Goddard. In the past he’s been Chair of Southern Branch, a He is still a keen runner and is Chairman of his local running club the Epsom Oddballs. The club name might be a big clue Board Member since 2012 and has sat on the Electoral Commission’s Elections, Referendums and Registration Working as to why the Chairman is Lea. As always he will be keen to bore you with stories of his running skills and you could seek Group. He is also Deputy Monitoring Officer for his authority. After 14 years in elections he is still not quite sure that he him out in the bar area if you want to be entertained with the latest ‘fast for his age’ exploits. knows what he is doing. [email protected] [email protected] 020 8760 5730 01252 774158
Mark Hughes (Elections Projects, Elections Division, Cabinet Office) Tim Burke (BBC) Mark is responsible for the delivery and implementation of voter identification in polling stations Tim Burke has worked for the BBC for twenty five years. Before that he worked at Sky. He started and other recommendations of the ‘Pickles Review’ supported by the Government. Voter off making tea at Radio Gloucestershire, and despite failing at that miserably, he rose through the identification and improvements to the integrity of the postal and proxy vote process will be piloted ranks and is now, among many other things, editor of Outside Broadcasts for local elections, by- in the May 2018 local elections. elections, general elections, US elections and referendums for the many BBC results programmes with David Dimbleby and Huw Edwards. 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 Tim also works on Sunday Politics with Sarah Smith, and helps manage forty or so political reporters to protect the integrity of our electoral system and secure our democracy. Mark would welcome around England and liaising with more than a dozen teams across the UK. your interest in future pilots and more generally in the Cabinet Office’s electoral integrity project. He also generates pan BBC data projects and special news moments. [email protected] 07970 872173 Tim is a Sony award winning and BAFTA nominated journalist, who’s also made documentaries on restorative justice to supermarkets. He is unbeatable at backgammon, slept in a tent for three years and ran the New York marathon with a broken leg. [email protected] 07710 027649
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Ailsa Irvine (Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance, The Electoral Commission) Frances Cleland (Electoral Services Manager, Test Valley Borough Council) Ailsa Irvine has been the Electoral Commission’s Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance Frances began working in local government when she left university in 2003, and needed a job since January 2017. pretty quickly. The plan never was to stay working in local government, yet 15 years later, here she is! Ailsa has been at the Commission for over a decade, holding a number of different positions since starting as the Policy and Practice Officer in Scotland in 2003. In 2010 she became the Head of She started her career at Hampshire County Council, before moving to Winchester City Council. Guidance leading on the Commission’s guidance, support and performance standards work. In 2016 After a period of time as an administrator in leisure and then working in Committees, she fell into she played a key role in supporting the Commission’s former Chair, Jenny Watson, in her role as the electoral world in 2008 when she was appointed as their ESM. She worked there for 5 years Chief Counting Officer at the EU referendum. before moving to Test Valley Borough Council in 2013. [email protected] Frances held the position of Secretary for the AEA Southern Branch for nearly seven years; had a (very short!) tenure as 020 7271 0571 Branch Vice-Chair before moving into the Chair’s seat in March 2017. She was appointed as an AEA Trainer in 2013 and has been able to meet many electoral colleagues up and down the country, delivering registration and election training. This is the first time that Frances has had the opportunity to speak at Conference in a capacity other than that of a Jo Miller (President of Solace and Chief Executive of Doncaster Metropolitan Borough workshop trainer, and is looking forward to the chance to represent the views of electoral administrators. She hopes that Council) she does them proud! Jo studied Law at the University of Southampton. After starting her career as a trainee solicitor [email protected] in Nottingham, and progressing to different roles there, Jo moved on to a number of legal posts 01264 368072 in Merseyside. After Heads of Legal Service roles, Jo took a wider brief at Knowsley Council as Executive Director to lead on corporate resources and service transformation. This was followed by a stint as Deputy Chief Executive at Bradford with a strong focus on partnerships and cohesion. 3. Electoral Commission Update Prior to joining Doncaster, Jo was Deputy Chief Executive at The Local Government Association, In January 2017, Sir John Holmes was appointed Chair of the Electoral Commission. This session will introduce Sir John responsible for policy, communications and sector led improvement. and his vision for the Electoral Commission and focus on the EC’s thoughts of the events of 2017 to include the UKPGE, Since arriving in Doncaster in 2012, Jo has worked alongside Mayor Jones to lead the council out of government local elections (including Combined Authority Mayoral elections) and the canvass. intervention ahead of schedule and has led major financial/cultural/economic change. Jo is lead for Skills and Devolution Governance and is a Governor of the National College for High Speed Rail which has campuses in both Doncaster and Birmingham. Andy Tiffin (Elections & Information Manager, Hart District Council) Please see biography on page 9. Jo is also the current President of Solace, (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives). A role to which Jo was elected by her peers and is very honoured to hold. Being Solace President allows Jo the opportunity to champion causes for all Local Authority Chief Executives at a National level. [email protected] 01302 862230
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Sir John Holmes, GCVO KBE CMG (Chair of The Electoral Commission) Chloe Smith MP (Minister for the Constitution) Sir John Holmes has been Chair of the Electoral Commission since January 2017. Chloe Smith MP was appointed as Minister for the Constitution at the Cabinet Office on 9 January 2018. He was educated at Preston Grammar School and Balliol College, Oxford. He joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1973 and served in a wide range of diplomatic roles in London, Moscow, She was elected as the Conservative MP for Norwich North in 2009 and was appointed Economic Paris, New Delhi and Lisbon. 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 In 1995, Sir John joined Prime Minister John Major in Downing Street as his diplomatic adviser. He Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. continued this role with Prime Minister Tony Blair from 1997 to 1999, becoming Principal Private Secretary, and was a key figure in the negotiation of the Good Friday Agreement. Before entering Parliament, Chloe worked for international consultancy firm Deloitte, advising private businesses, government departments and public bodies. In 1999, Sir John was appointed as the British Ambassador in Lisbon, moving to Paris as Ambassador from 2001 to 2007. He then served as UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator from 2007 to [email protected] 2010, before taking over as Director of the Ditchley Foundation a post which he left in August 2016. 020 7276 1614 Sir John is Chair of the UK Board of the International Rescue Committee, a humanitarian NGO.
5. Modern Electoral Registration Programme Update We all know that now IER has been in place for a few years, it is time to consider if there are processes that could be adapted or improved. During this session the Cabinet Office will outline their plans for electoral registration going 4. Keynote Speech forward. The Minister, Chloe Smith, Parliamentary Secretary (Minister for the Constitution) will be in attendance to give the Conference’s keynote speech. John Turner (Chief Executive, AEA) Please see biography opposite. John Turner (Chief Executive, AEA) Chair of the afternoon session. John Turner retired in October 2003 as Deputy Chief Executive at Norwich City Council. He was Returning Officer for the City and, in that capacity, ran various pilot elections including two full Lee Pope (Head of Engagement, Cabinet Office) electronic pilots. He has been involved in elections for some 30 years and has been involved in Lee has been head of engagement for the modern electoral registration programme since May training in this area of work for the last 25 years or so. John is Chief Executive and Life Vice- 2016. Prior to this, Lee performed a variety of functions as a policy advisor within the Electoral President of the Association of Electoral Administrators and was a member of the Howarth Working Registration Transformation Programme between July 2013 and May 2016. This included supporting Party on Electoral Procedures which provided the recommendations leading to the range of reforms Ministers with Parliamentary work related to IER and advising them on maximising registration to Britain’s electoral system since 1997. He was appointed by the Government to the Electoral policy, including the investment of over £14 million aimed at boosting rates of electoral registration. Registration Transformation Programme Board which had oversight of the transition to IER. He is also the Chairman of the AEA’s Qualification and Examining Boards. He has had considerable experience in international Before joining ERTP, Lee was a policy advisor for Lord Browne during his time as the Government electoral matters and has worked in various countries in four continents of the world. He is also involved with a number of Lead Non Executive. He has also worked in a variety of Ministerial Private Offices. This includes other public bodies with interests in democratic and electoral matters. working as Assistant Private Secretary to the Rt Hon Mark Harper MP during his tenure as Minister for Constitutional [email protected] Reform (May 2010 – October 2011) and as Private Secretary and chief speech writer for the Rt Hon Nick Brown MP during 01508 499865 his time as Minister for the North East (October 2007 – April 2010). Lee’s interests include reading, films, socialising with friends and both playing and watching football. He is a season ticket holder at Charlton Athletic Football Club and attends in the hope that they will one day win a match. [email protected] 020 7271 2827 / 07809 100714
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6. The Registration of Political Parties and Candidates’ Expenses 7. Welsh Electoral Reform Recent high-profile media reports on Parliamentary election expenses has given cause for question about how In April 2018 the Welsh Government will receive devolved powers for electoral matters. Already they have consulted on irregularities are identified and the grounds for prosecution. This session will focus on the mechanics surrounding both this the reforms that could arise as a result. Hear about the proposals and how they could be the driver for change in other and how groups register as political parties, as well as areas for reform. home nations. Frank Cuthbert (Head of Democracy Team, Welsh Government) John Turner (Chief Executive, AEA) Please see biography on page 12. Chair of the morning session. Frank Cuthbert leads the local democracy team in the Welsh Government and provides advice to Welsh Ministers on matters of constitutional and electoral reform. He has held this position for the last 18 years and has seen the Welsh Assembly change from a body with restricted executive functions to one with primary legislative functions over wide policy areas. Bob Posner (Director of Political Finance and Regulation & Legal Counsel, The Electoral Commission) In recent years, Frank has managed the Welsh Government’s Diversity in Democracy programme, including a mentoring programme linking sitting councillors with potential candidates from under- Bob Posner is the Electoral Commission Director of Political Finance and Regulation and its Legal represented groups. Counsel. He was previously responsible for the reform of the now-named Local Democracy and Boundary Commission in Wales and Bob manages the Commission’s Regulation, Policy and Legal functions. His work is particularly the introduction of executive structures in Welsh local government. focussed on making sure the rules around UK political party finance are clear and taking action when the rules are broken. He is responsible for decisions on the registering of political parties Frank has long experience of dealing with returning officers and elections managers in Wales through the Elections and campaigners. His team also advise government and legislatures on proposed changes to the Planning Group and now the Electoral Reform Programme Board, advising Welsh Government on the implementation of political finance rules. its electoral reform programme. He has extensive experience in elections, regulatory compliance work and advising on public law. He was Electoral He holds an honours degree in economics and a Masters degree in research methodology, both from Cardiff University. Registration Officer and ran elections as Acting or Deputy Returning Officer at a number of elections, whilst working as [email protected] a Director and Deputy Chief Executive in local government. He has worked as a practicing Barrister, a consultant, has a 03000 253094 Master’s degree in business management and is joint editor of Schofield’s Election Law. [email protected] Rhys George (Electoral and Democratic Services Manager, Port Talbot County Borough 07962 435176 Council) Since joining Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council in January 2002 as an Electoral Services Catherine Webster (Head of Political Parties and Referendums Team, Elections Division, Trainee, Rhys has been employed in a number of positions with the local authority and, over a period of fifteen years, has gradually built up a professional expertise in relation to electoral Cabinet Office) administration and management issues. He is currently employed as Electoral and Democratic Catherine joined the Cabinet Office in 2010 as Head of the House of Lords Reform Team, before Services Manager co-ordinating and managing the provision of all electoral and democratic services becoming Head of Political Parties and Referendums Team in 2012. She previously worked in the functions for the local authority. Home Office and Ministry of Justice dealing with issues including criminal justice legislation, public In addition, he also leads on the development of the scrutiny function and related non-executive Member support, order and police use of firearms. In her current role, Catherine leads on policy and legislation provides senior managerial support in respect of Mayoral and Civic service functions, and line manages the executive dealing with Electoral Commission governance, political parties, candidates and campaigning at support provided to the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive. elections and referendums. [email protected] He has always prided himself on engaging and participating pro-actively as a Member of the AEA and is currently the 020 7271 6441 Chair of the Association of Electoral Administrators, Wales branch, which has enabled him to represent the views of his colleagues at both local and national level. Working as a practicing electoral administrator for most of his career has honed his ability to think on his feet, problem solve under pressure, delegate effectively and also understand the critical importance of teamwork. [email protected] 01639 763719 14 15 Annual Conference 2018
8. Elections and Cyber Security Jon B (Senior Official, National Cyber Security Centre) We live in a digital age and are increasingly reliant on clouds, platforms and other IT terms that many of us struggle to Launched in October 2016, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has headquarters in London understand. The Cabinet Office is working hard to protect our democracy and will give members information on how they and brings together expertise from CESG (the information assurance arm of GCHQ), the Centre for are trying to ensure British democracy is safe. Cyber Assessment, CERT-UK, and the Centre for Protection of National Infrastructure. The NCSC was set up to help protect our critical services from cyber-attacks, manage major Gina Armstrong (AEA Executive Director, Resources) Chair of the afternoon session. incidents, and improve the underlying security of the UK Internet through technological After joining local government upon leaving school and working in a number of different Council improvement and advice to citizens and organisations. Our vision is to help make the UK the safest departments, Gina spent 14 years gaining extensive electoral experience managing a large electoral place to live and do business online. services team before joining the Association in 2000 as its first full time employee. She has been a The NCSC support the most critical organisations in the United Kingdom, the wider public sector, industry and SMEs. member of the AEA since 1987, its inaugural year and been actively involved in the Association at a When incidents do occur, we provide effective incident response to minimise harm to the UK, help with recovery, and learn local and national level since that time. lessons for the future. She has now been employed by the Association for over 17 years and is a member of Management The NCSC is making the UK one of the safest places in the world to live and do business online. Team and the AEA Board being responsible for all company and financial matters. [email protected] 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 22 years.
[email protected] Liz Read (Electoral Services Manager, Coventry City Council) 0151 281 8246 Liz has been involved in Elections and Electoral Registration for over 25 years (I know hard to believe!!) Liz has worked for Coventry City Council for over 6 years, prior to that worked at a District authority, so has experienced the issues from a small district and a metropolitan authority Simon James (Deputy Director, Elections Division, Cabinet Office) perspective. Liz has previously been Chairman of the AEA and is Vice Chairman of the West Midlands Branch. She has also been involved in training with the AEA since 1999 and holds the AEA Prior to joining Cabinet Office as Head of Elections Division in 2014, Simon has had a varied career Diploma. During the introduction of IER Liz was seconded to the Cabinet Officer part-time for 18 in the Civil Service. His roles have included leading on policy advice to Ministers on issues as diverse months as Regional Delivery Manager for the West Midlands. as human rights, devolution and data protection. He has also worked in a number of delivery roles, including being part of the team that established the Independent Parliamentary Standards [email protected] Authority in the wake of the MPs’ expenses crisis, and leading the Boundary Commission for 024 7683 3177 England from 2010 to 2013. In his current role, Simon leads the team responsible for the legislative framework that underpins elections. Recent projects include working with partner agencies to secure the UK’s democratic processes and the delivery of the 2017 General Election. Simon is the Senior Responsible Owner for the Government’s project to deliver requirements to use voter ID in pilot authorities for the 2018 local elections. 9. The Higher Education and Research Act 2017 [email protected] The Higher Education and Research Act includes specific provision for co-operation between academic institutions and 020 7276 6761 / 07930 417583 electoral registration officers to register students to vote. During this session we will look at the work that has been undertaken by those in Sheffield and the National Union of Students to give members some ideas of how they could work with colleges and universities in their authorities.
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John Tomlinson (Electoral Services Manager, Sheffield City Council) 10. Interpreting Legislation - Interactive Plenary John has been Electoral Services Manager at Sheffield City Council since January 2008. He has The navigation of electoral legislation becomes harder every year. In this workshop style plenary, Peter will provide worked in Electoral Services for 32 years. He has helped deliver electronic voting pilots in 2002, members with the tools they need to know where to start, and hopefully finish, when looking for specific electoral law. 2003 and 2007. Recently Sheffield University agreed to implement John’s idea of integrating electoral registration with the university’s course registration system. Sheffield Hallam University Peter Stanyon (AEA Chief Executive (Designate)) introduced a similar system this year. Peter has been employed by the Association since April 2016 and will become its Chief Executive Outside of work John is a licensed Reader in the Church of England. He taught himself to play guitar on 1 March. Before taking up his role with the AEA, he worked for two London Boroughs and two when he was a teenager and has just taken up lessons to learn how to play “properly”. district councils and was also seconded to the Electoral Commission on two separate occasions. [email protected] Peter joined the AEA as a member in 1988 and many years later was proud to be elected as its 0114 273 4091 Chairman, having also been a member of the AEA Board for a number of years. He currently serves as an examiner for the Association, as an accredited trainer and as a member of the Foundation Course writing and delivery team. In his many dealings with government, the Electoral Commission and other key stakeholders, Peter is committed to Rob Young (Vice President (Society and Citizenship), National Union of Students) ensuring that the views of those who directly deliver the electoral process are properly recognised and considered, which can sometimes make for interesting meetings! Rob Young is the Vice President Society and Citizenship at the National Union of Students; he had previously been the LGBT+ Officer for NUS. Rob studied at the University of Plymouth in Health and He is always keen to take on board administrators’ views in order to ensure he represents the electoral community to the social care and completed a PGCE in lifelong learning. best of his abilities, so ring him, email him or simply grab him if you ever feel the need to bend his ear! You might even [email protected] find him in a good mood if Luton Town have won on Saturday! 07885 378921 [email protected] 01442 390674 / 07855 589825 11. Close of Conference
Joe Rennie (Sheffield Hallam University – Director of Registry Services) James Stevens (AEA Conference & Seminar Organiser) Joe Rennie is Director of Registry Services at Sheffield Hallam University. Joe joined Sheffield Hallam Jim joined the AEA in 1987 and is currently the Association’s Conference & Seminar Organiser. in 1996 as a Course Administrator in the School of Cultural Studies. He has since held numerous He has previously served on the Management Board as the Education & Training Officer and roles across the University’s administration. These roles have been in the schools and faculties of was a former Executive Director (Commercial) of the Association. He is also on the Association’s the University as well as leading specialist HE professional services through times of change. Examining Board. In his current role Joe is responsible for leading Registry Services; the administrative hub of the Having been involved in electoral registration and elections since joining Brentwood Council in University which provides corporate services for the University’s academic administration. The teams 1986, being directly responsible for the management of European, Parliamentary, County, Borough across Registry Services are responsible for assessment, awards and graduation, regulatory and and Parish elections, as well as working at the sharp end at polling stations, he gave up full time policy frameworks, examinations, curriculum data, key corporate student processes (enrolment, student finance, student employment in local government, after having endured six General Elections, where he was also the electoral registration immigration, progression etc.) and student record keeping and reporting for all types of provision. Registry Services also officer and returning officer. play the lead role in developing and implementing the University’s student management system. Now a consultant for the AEA, he has spent time at the City of London, St Albans City & District Council, Fenland District Joe has a degree in History from the University of Sheffield and a Postgraduate Certificate in Management from Sheffield Council, Mid Devon District Council, Hertsmere Borough Council, Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council, Peterborough Hallam University. City Council, Eden District Council, Basildon Borough Council, Swindon Borough Council and currently with Blackburn and Darwen Borough Council. [email protected] 0114 225 4485 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. [email protected] 0791 2310 093
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Workshop One – Communicate Clearly, Communicate Often Venue: Beaufort Trainer: Kelly Quigley The lead-up to an election is a busy time, but planning your communications early can take the pressure off. We’ll work “Royal Suite” through the different stages in the lead-up to a poll and count, sharing information sources, experiences and examples Trafalgar Suite from different communication channels to help you and your communications team get your key messages across. Plenary Sessions • Mapping out your dates and Dinner • Who are your audience/s and where will you find them? • Standing for election – advice for potential candidates • Voter registration – deadlines and absent voting Lobby • Ahead of polling day Games • On polling day Entrance Room Hall • The count • Reactive Communications Reception • Review and reflect – data, details and done Lobby AEA Office Kelly Quigley (AEA Social Media Specialist)
Neville Kelly has worked in local government communications since 2002, first at the now-abolished Bedfordshire County Council and more recently at South Cambridgeshire District Council. She has contributed to running the AEA’s social media accounts since last year’s Conference. Queens Suite A member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, Kelly holds both the Institute’s Diploma and Accredited PR Practitioner status. Exhibitors Beaufort Working alongside her council election team colleagues, Kelly has overseen communications plans for local polls from parishes up to General Elections. A regular presiding officer and count supervisor, she knows very well that electoral administrators don’t just work one or two days a year! [email protected] 07957 424163
1A 1B 1C 1D
2A 2B 2C 2D
3A 3B 3C 3D
4A 4B 4C 4D
20 21 Annual Conference 2018
Workshop Two – Managing the Pace Workshop Three – Practical Count Methods Venue: Crystal Room Venue: Trafalgar Suite Trainer: Sue Keogh Trainers: George Cooper and Debby Frost This interactive workshop will enable delegates to discuss and practice some techniques for managing their stress levels There are numerous ways to count multi-member ballot papers, this workshop looks at four options and gives you the and improving their time management. It will help them to understand stress in themselves and others and how they chance to consider whether your count would benefit from using an alternative approach. The four options are block might deal with it more effectively by developing a positive approach and using assertive behaviour. Delegates will be counting, grass skirts, counting boards and counting sheets. encouraged to reflect, discuss and share ideas and good practice with others. Workshop topics will include: George Cooper (London Borough of Haringey) • Symptoms and stages of stress • Developing personal resilience George has been Head of Electoral Services at the London Borough of Haringey for eleven years and • Prioritising your workload 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 • Choosing a positive perspective the AEA Board for nine years and chaired the London Branch for three years. He undertook a part- • Action planning 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. Sue Keogh (Director of Development, Association of Democratic Services Officers) George is a member of the London Election Management Board, but his particular involvement in training was sparked in Sue has worked in improvement and development for over 20 years, formerly with Waverley the run-up to the first PCC Elections with the more extensive imposition of Supplementary Voting beyond London and the Borough Council and with South East Employers. She is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Mayoralties in place at that time. Personnel Development (CIPD) and is a qualified assessor and verifier for vocational qualifications. Sue provides bespoke consultancy support and development services to Councillors, Council George spends such free time as elections permit travelling with his family. staff and partners across the country. She has established introductory and advanced Committee [email protected] Administration programmes in the South East to help develop Democratic Services Officers. Sue is 020 8489 2976 Director of Development on the Board of the Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO) and has played a key role in the growth of the Association. She is responsible for the ADSO qualifications, their annual training programme and conference. More recently, Sue has been working with the AEA design Debby Frost (AEA Trainer) team and trainers to help develop their knowledge of training theory and practice. Debby’s life in the world of Elections began more than 40 years ago with a secondment to the [email protected] Election Team at Newcastle City Council to help with the 1975 Referendum on staying in the 07854 612170 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 over 18 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. [email protected] 07811 877029
22 23 Annual Conference 2018
Workshop Four – Managing Suppliers THE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTORAL ADMINISTRATORS Venue: Neville
Trainers: Rob Curtis and Emily Yule Procurement and contract management is often a secondary consideration as the number of suppliers decreases, but it The Companies Act 1985 is still a key tool in delivering a successful canvass and a smooth election. Our Managing Suppliers workshop looks at (as amended by the Companies Acts 1989 and 2006) legislative and practical requirements relating to procurement as well as managing contracts and what to do when things go wrong. 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 Rob Curtis (Head of Electoral Services, London Borough of Tower Hamlets ) held on Wednesday 7 February 2018 at the Hilton Hotel, Blackpool commencing at 0915 for the Rob has recently acquired the post of Head of Electoral Services at the London Borough of Tower transaction of the following business: Hamlets joining the authority on 2 January 2018.
Rob has worked in Electoral Services since 1993 for 5 different councils and has been an AEA 1. Apologies for absence. accredited trainer for the past 11 years. Never short of an opinion he has enthusiastically contributed to debates throughout the continued implementation of IER and beyond and is an 2. To confirm the minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Association held on 8 February 2017 at active member of the AEA’s training design team. Rob spoke at the last AEA National Seminar in the Hilton Metropole Hotel, Brighton. Gateshead on his experiences of moving authorities at the same time as the extraordinary general election being called. 3. To receive the Annual Report of the Management Team.
He still plays rugby on occasion for medicinal purposes and of course will be in the bar. 4. To consider any recommendations arising from the Annual Report that require the approval of the Association in general meeting. [email protected] 020 7364 0872 5. To receive the annual accounts of the Company for the year ended 30 September 2017.
6. To receive the report of the Returning Officer on the Election of Deputy Chairman 2018.
Emily Yule (Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council) 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. 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. Emily has been directly involved in the management of elections and electoral registration since 2008 (where have those 10 years gone!) and thrives on the buzz and camaraderie of the AEA Those members who do not have direct access to the Internet may request that the documents be community. She is looking forward to an election-free year in 2018! emailed to them.
[email protected] Please contact Chris Solich, Support Services Officer (Administration) by email 01449 724694 [email protected] 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 9.30am on Monday 5 February 2018.
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1 Annual Conference 2018
Annual Dinner and Branch Photographs Details of sponsorship The annual dinner will take place at 8:00 p.m. on Monday 5 February 2018 and will be preceded by a wine reception from 7:15 p.m. Stand Company Sponsoring IDOX Elections are proud to sponsor the 2018 Branch Photographs. They will take place on Monday evening during the drinks reception before the Annual Dinner. Please be in the Lounge Bar 1 FDM plc Brochure area on the first floor of the Hilton Hotel ready for your time slot! 3 Print Image Network Pads and Pens
Branch Name Time Workshop handouts and signage, plenary slides 5, 6 & 7 The ERS Group North East and Yorkshire Branch 7:00 p.m. and plenary voting system London Branch 7:05 p.m. 8 Print UK Annual Dinner Menu and place cards West Midlands Branch 7:10 p.m. South East Branch 7:15 p.m. 12 Smartmatic Delegate wallets and workshop sign in machines Eastern Branch 7:20 p.m. Annual Dinner, Branch and Social Night photographs 13 & 14 IDOX Elections East Midlands Branch 7:25 p.m. and Social Night prizes and quiz trophies Scotland & NI Branch 7:30 p.m. 18 Stephen Austin Limited Delegate name badges and lanyards Southern Branch 7:35 p.m. North West Branch 7:40 p.m. South West Branch 7:45 p.m. Wales Branch 7:50 p.m.
Social Night The theme for the social night on Tuesday 6 February 2018 is “The Wild West”. More information will be included in the delegate bag.
26 27 Annual Conference 2018
Versapak
Pakfl att
16 FDM Latcham Direct 17 DemocracyCounts Twofold & 1 1 Halarose/IDOX Network Print Image 1 1 4
Smartmatic Stephen Austin 19 11 Modern 5 Democracy Sons Shaw & 10 AEA 6 Xpress
Smi Ouzman th &
8 ERS Print UK
28 29 Annual Conference 2018
Organisation FDM Organisation The ERS Group Contact Name Iain Bloomfield Stand 1 Contact Name Hannah Lake & Victoria Patel Stand 5, 6 & 7 Telephone 020 7055 1600 Web www.fdmplc.com Telephone 020 8365 8909 Fax Email [email protected] Email [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]
Please do visit us on Stand 1 to see how our Hybrid Mail will save you money on your daily output of electoral The ERS Group is the umbrella for a group of companies with unrivalled experience in delivering election solutions. registration letters. Simple and free to set up and you only pay for what you send. • Xpress – leaders in election management software For all your other Canvass and Election needs we will be pleased to discuss your ongoing requirements including our • Electoral Reform Services – the UK’s leading provider of electoral print services complete postal vote fulfilment and issue service. • Shaw’s – the most comprehensive range of election materials
We welcome you to visit our two central London print and data centres where all in-house production is conducted using We understand the challenges Electoral Administrators face when delivering smooth, transparent election services on the latest software and production techniques. tight budgets and in times of political uncertainty. Our needs-driven products and services are designed to help you respond quickly and make effective use of limited resource and budget.
Visit our stand to find out about the latest developments in our services and products: Organisation Twofold Contact Name Karen James Stand 2 • Updates to Xpress’ market leading Electoral Management System • Xpress apps - our comprehensive suite of electoral based mobile apps Telephone 0118 951 9800 Web www.twofold.co.uk • MCA 2 – Xpress’ next generation of the UK’s most popular canvassing app Email [email protected] • Xpress Connect – our council wide solution for integrating with ‘Tell Us Once’ services • Xpress Print – now updated to allow you to personalise your forms Twofold provides and supports physical and digital mailrooms alongside a range of process solutions. Our best of • Expanded teams to assist you across ERS and Xpress breed software can intelligently and forensically understand what all your documents are, and place them into the • Print and mailing fulfilment for all your election needs correct systems and processes - all while ensuring your content is controlled, audited and compliant for the new GDPR • Animated video explainers – training videos for counting staff; ‘what to expect at the polling station’ videos for legislation. Our engineers are fully trained to support scanners, letter openers, franking machines and folding machines. voters, and more We support over 200 council customers nationwide, giving us an understanding of your need for quality support at a • The most comprehensive range of materials for elections from Shaw’s competitive price. If you need the highest level of support while saving an average of 30% on your maintenance costs, please ask us to quote for your support contracts. We look forward to seeing you at the Conference and showing you how we are making democracy happen.
Find out more at: www.xssl.co.uk Organisation Print Image Network www.electoralreform.co.uk Contact Name John Foster & Stephen Power Stand 3 www.electionsupplies.co.uk www.theersgroup.com Telephone 0161 209 4800 Fax 0161 209 4804 Email [email protected] The Print Image Network team will be on hand to discuss all of your council’s electoral print and mail questions ahead of the May elections. We feel it’s our job to help electoral administrators through busy election and registration periods, so come and visit Stand 3 to see how our unrivalled customer service complements our electoral print and mailing products. We can also talk you through how councils across the UK are saving valuable time and money printing ITR confirmation letters (and other documents), using Network Post - our hybrid mail solution. Easily implemented, this solution can generate significant council-wide savings when used by multiple departments. Come and visit the team at Stand 3.
30 31 Annual Conference 2018
Organisation Print.UK.Com Organisation Association of Electoral Administrators Contact Name Nicki Newburn Stand 8 Contact Name Lesley Hales Stand 10 Telephone 07734 858532 Fax Telephone 0151 641 0511 Fax Email [email protected] Email [email protected]
At Print.UK.COM we understand the pressures under which you work, our ‘right first time’ approach has never failed us What can the AEA do for you? Want more information? Come along and speak to us at our stand. since our dedicated electoral team began in 1992. Our staff members are AEA trained and will stand by your side every Find out about all the services the AEA can provide - consultancy, training courses, polling station training, bespoke step of the way. We are flexible, responsive and provide councils across the UK with unrivalled data security and market training at your local authority, professional services or the AEA Health Check. We can talk to you about the advantages knowledge. of membership, what is involved in being a Branch Officer and the practical support the AEA nationally can provide for Branches. Come and have a chat about the website and how to make the most of it and if you want to know more Since becoming part of the CFH Group of Companies we have not only strengthened our disaster recovery process, about what we have done for members over the last 12 months then please stop by. We’d also love to see you if you clients can now benefit from our desktop hybrid mail tool Docmail, for all of their ad hoc or IER documents. We look are wanting to know more about becoming an AEA consultant. In fact, we would be happy to answer any questions you forward to chatting with you, pop along to collect your free tree and to enter our prize draw. 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 – oh – and there’s a chance to win a bottle of Champagne! We look forward to seeing you in Blackpool! Organisation Smith & Ouzman Limited Mark White Contact Name Stand 9 Organisation Modern Democracy 07771 988177 or 01323 524000 Telephone Fax Contact Name Mary Walker Stand 11 [email protected] Email Telephone 028 7186 7631 Fax Smith & Ouzman are delighted to be supporting the AEA conference Blackpool 2018. Email [email protected] S&O have a long-standing association working with local authority electoral services teams and as active members of Modern Democracy is one of the UK’s leading election solution providers, leading the way in digital transformation of the Cabinet Office Suppliers Group we remain at the forefront of new legislation enabling a pro-active approach in the democratic services. Delivering success through innovation, listening to our customers, and constantly evolving and preparation and delivery of electoral service requirements. striving for excellence in an ever-changing environment. Conference is a great opportunity to reconnect with established contacts and make new acquaintances in an informal We provide a range of services, including Project Management, Election Day Count, Postal Vote Management Support setting, so please do visit us on Stand 9 where we can share with you new product and service developments and and our Poll Manager and Voter Engage products. answer any questions you may have for forthcoming elections.
Don’t forget to take part in our prize draw which promises to be a real giveaway! Organisation Smartmatic Elections UK Limited Contact Name Sonya Anderson Stand 12 Telephone 020 7629 9279 Web www.smartmatic.com Email [email protected] / [email protected] Headquartered in the UK, Smartmatic is the leading provider of voting technology in the world. It has processed over 3.7 billion verifiable votes in election projects in five continents. Smartmatic’s wide portfolio of solutions includes: electronic pollbooks, electronic pens for the automatic capture of ballot paper accounts and count forms, on-line training, e-Counting, touch screen voting machines and internet voting. Smartmatic supports every step of the election process – from registration to wrap-up – providing the software, hardware and services needed to guarantee success. Our election management solutions focus on increasing efficiency, driving down cost, increasing accessibility and releasing valuable resources to focus on key tasks.
32 33 Annual Conference 2018
Organisation Idox Elections Organisation Latcham Direct Ltd. Contact Name William Quinton Stand 13 & 14 Contact Name Mark Skirton Stand 16 Telephone 01491 682 120 Fax Telephone 07974 309366 Fax 0117 311 8250 Email [email protected] Email [email protected]
Idox Elections is leading the way in the provision of innovative, cost-effective solutions that help authorities deliver Our product range includes poll cards, postal voting statements, postal ballot papers, ballot books & grass skirt count across all areas of electoral management. sheets for elections, along with HEFs, ITRs and daily correspondence for the IER process. We are proud of our complete in-house production resource; everything is produced by us, under one roof. We understand the strict data requirements Supported by a 150-strong team, our resource, range of solutions and system flexibility make us the largest electoral and complexities relating to all things electoral. We are in tune with the current ever-changing political landscape and services provider in the UK, and together we offer an exceptional support service to a client base spanning all parts of the limited resources each local authority now has at its disposal. Our Hybrid Mail solution compliments this approach the UK and across Europe. We invest in and develop our services to ensure we continue to provide a first-class service with an emphasis on efficiency and cost savings. We have a complete understanding of current legislation issued by the to our customers, maintaining a 25-year track record of leading them to elections success. Electoral Commission and Cabinet Office, and will help you deliver electoral services and registration, effectively and seamlessly, as your trusted partner. From print to PVMS, from canvass tablets to call centre solutions, and from electronic voting to electoral data mining, we’ve got elections covered. And, we’re not planning to stop developing our portfolio anytime soon. Just ask us about our e-voting, automated boundary changes and cloud reporting software! Organisation SG World We look forward to welcoming you at our stand to demonstrate our 360° wheel of electoral solutions. But, where will you land? Spin well and prosper! Contact Name Zoe Sanderson Stand 17 www.idoxgroup.com/elections Telephone 01270 500921 (ext. 1602) Fax Email [email protected]
SG World’s ElectIT solution helps councils comply with Electoral Commission guidance and supports the smooth running Organisation Versapak International Limited of your count event. It takes care of administrative tasks that are often squeezed into evenings and weekends and helps Contact Name Neil Wathen Stand 15 take away the pressure leading up to, and throughout the count. Following SG World’s acquisition of The Printing House, a national highly rated printing company, we can also help you with all of your printing requirements for the elections Telephone 020 8333 5300 Fax and beyond. Email [email protected] Why not come and visit the ElectIT stand (17) in the exhibition room to find out more. Versapak is a manufacturer of tamper evident security solutions. We help businesses move sensitive items such as election ballots within our secure, tamper evident electoral boxes. We make them foldable (for ease of storage and transport) and they feature a solid lid posting slot, sealed with our patented T2 security seal. Organisation Stephen Austin Our electoral products are used worldwide for elections. Versapak’s can be used over 2,000 times and come with a five year guarantee. We also hold a Royal Warrant of Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen for tamper evident bags and Contact Name Helen Wroe Stand 18 security seals. Telephone 01992 584955 Fax Visit www.versapak.co.uk for more details. Email [email protected] It’s our 250th Anniversary! In the 1790’s, the original Stephen Austin printed electoral materials for Hertfordshire. Times have changed, and we are still at the forefront of electoral printing and fulfilment. Embracing new technologies, our clients benefit from a secure document management system to speedily transfer encrypted data & proofs. We are proud to hold Cyber Essentials+, so you can be assured that your data is in safe hands. We understand pressing electoral schedules; our high speed digital print equipment guarantees prompt document delivery. From secure data management to poll card, ballot paper printing & fulfilment; prompt dispatch of overseas & UK postal packs; using MailMark - you can rely on our services. www.stephenaustin.co.uk
34 35 Annual Conference 2018
Organisation Epson UK Ltd Organisation Democracy Counts Ltd. Contact Name Tony Jefcut Stand 19 Contact Name Grant Hazell / Manni Virdee Stand 22 & 23 Telephone 0344 409 8010 Fax Telephone 01925 320888 Fax Email [email protected] Email [email protected]
Visit the Epson stand to learn about our wide range of high-quality, portable, networked, efficient and versatile scan Is Elector8 as good as everyone says it is? We would like to invite you to visit us on Stand 22/ 23 to talk through our solutions. comprehensive suite of 14 fully integrated software solutions, designed to streamline your entire electoral calendar. We have grown significantly over the last two years and expect further “Controlled Growth” to over 50 clients this year. Document scanners are essential to ensuring electoral documents are stored safely and in the best possible condition. From fast portable scanners to network A3 devices, Epson have a range of feature-rich business scanners that will cope Our decision to rewrite Elector8 from scratch in 2009 has resulted in a modern, stable system that enables us to with the wide range of electoral documents that you need to process. develop unique features quicker than our competitors. Elector8 was built with a secure CRM at its heart that handles all types of elections and neighbourhood referenda. As a CRM you can communicate with your citizens through their channel of choice, increasing engagement at a much lower cost in line with any Digital By Default strategies. Organisation Pakflatt (UK) Ltd. Market Leading innovations include: Contact Name Patrick McGonagle MBE Stand 20 & 21 • Elector8 – Complete rewrite integrating Electoral Reg and Electoral Management – 2009 - 2013 • Staff Self Service App – Launched 2012 Telephone 02871 287111 Fax • Particip8 – Launched 2014 – The original mobile canvassing app including polling station and count Email [email protected] / [email protected] management • Candidate Self Service App – Launched 2016 The Pakflatt® Company is delighted to be attending our 31st AEA conference, which I believe is something of a record. This year we are featuring some new ideas that we hope you will be interested to learn more about on our stand in the • Citizen Self Service App – Launched 2017 foyer. • Educ8 Integrated Learning Management System – Launched 2018 Overseas News: To find out why councils are increasingly choosing the most modern technology visit us on stands 22 / 23, call We Launched our new European booth in Paris last November. It has been developed for our customers in France, 01925 320888, email [email protected] or click www.democracycounts.co.uk Germany and the Benelux countries and features three accessible table heights and a new clamp position for providing light locally within each voting compartment. In America, our V/4 Franklin range of booths were a massive hit in early voting centres in the run up to the 2016 Presidential Election and Pakflatt® products are now being used in 1,000 counties across 48 American States. New Initiatives: Our new privacy banner system and Register Screen, used for the first time in London Borough of Tower Hamlets during the 2016 UKPGE have been very well received and they are on show on our stand. Our new booth scrappage scheme for Pakflatt® Booths, some of which are 30 years old is described in the leaflet in your delegate pack. We are grateful to Andrew Smith at Islington Council who provided us with a very positive testimonial when he was first to use the scheme last year. We’re delighted to be partnering with the Furniture Re-Use Network [FRN] on this important environmental initiative We are also featuring a wide range of ballot boxes including Paxton, Orion, & Fortress. We have worked hard on your behalf to make the tactile voting device even more effective for blind people and are always interested to learn about new challenges that confront you and hope that we can help to innovate a product based solution. We look forward to seeing you.
36 37 Annual Conference 2018
Notes Notes
38 39 f EXPERIENCE • Providing Electoral Material and Services for over 22 years • Worked with over 100 Local Authorities • Relationships with the AEA, Electoral Commission, London Elects and the Cabinet Office • Experience with all EMS providers • Long Standing Team of Account Managers
l INNOVATION
• Patented One-Piece Mailer • Hi-vote Client Portal • Hi-mail Hybrid Mail Solution • FDM Mail DSA Service • Bespoke In-House Data Processing Systems EXPERIENCE L SECURITY SECURITY • 100% Confidential In-House Production PEACE OF MIND • Two Secure London Data Sites • ISO 27001 Accredited Get in touch today to • Secure File Transfer Facilities see what we can do to help save you money and S manage your elections PRODUCTS and registrations • Poll Cards efficiently. • Postal Voting Packs • Ballot Papers • Canvass Solutions 7 Electra Business Park • IER and Ongoing Mailings London E16 4ES y PEACE OF MIND 020 7055 1600 [email protected] • Designated Client Account Managers • 0.00002% Postal Vote Pack Error Rate • Legislatively Compliant Products and Templates www.fdmplc.com • Cost-effective Print Solutions for all Quantities • Guaranteed Quick Turnaround for Daily Ad-hoc and Ongoing Mailings • Comprehensive Disaster Recovery and Contingency Systems