Data Label: Public
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
DATA LABEL: PUBLIC COUNCIL EXECUTIVE REFERENDUM ON THE UK'S MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN UNION REPORT BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE A. PURPOSE OF REPORT The purpose of the report is to advise the Council Executive of the work being carried out to ensure the effective delivery of the referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union, the date of which has now been confirmed as 23 June 2016. B. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Note the work being done to prepare for the referendum 2. To consider the council’s position and any action which should be taken C. SUMMARY OF IMPLICATIONS Focusing on our customers' needs I Council Values Providing equality of opportunities Working in partnership II Policy and Legal (including Representation of the People Act 1983 Strategic Environmental The European Union Referendum Act 2015 Assessment, Equality The Political Parties Elections and Issues, Health or Risk Referendums Act 2000 Assessment) The European Union Referendum (Conduct) Regulations 2016 III Implications for Scheme of Delegations to Officers IV Impact on performance and performance Indicators V Relevance to Single Outcome Agreement VI Resources - (Financial, Staffing and Property) VII Consideration at PDSP VIII Other consultations 1 D. TERMS OF REPORT D1 Background The referendum on whether the United Kingdom should remain in the European Union will be held on Thursday 23 June 2016. This is 7 weeks after the Scottish Parliamentary election, which is on 5 May 2016. Much of the work to deliver the polls will need to take place concurrently which does add an extra level of complexity to the delivery of both polls. However the planning process has considered the potential for the polls to be close together and work continues to be done to ensure the delivery of neither poll is compromised. D2 The Referendum The referendum will be a significant event, with a potentially high level of national and international interest in the outcome. D2.1 Referendum Legislation The European Union Referendum Act received Royal Assent on 17 December 2015. It makes additions and amendments to the framework set out in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) to establish a regulatory framework for the referendum on the UK's membership of the EU. D2.2 Referendum Question The referendum question will be: Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union? Remain a member of the European Union Leave the European Union PPERA required the Commission to consider the wording of the referendum question, and after considering the question originally proposed in the European Union Referendum Act when it was first introduced as a Bill, they recommended the wording above. D2.3 Management Structure The Chair of the Electoral Commission is the Chief Counting Officer (CCO) with responsibility for the management of the referendum. The CCO has appointed Regional Counting Officers (RCO’s) for each electoral region who will co-ordinate the planning and administration of the poll across that region. In Scotland the RCO is the Chair of the Electoral Management Board The local government Returning Officer for each local authority in Great Britain will be the Counting Officer (CO) for that area. The CCO has a power of direction over RCOs and COs relating to the discharge of their functions and preparations for the referendum. 2 D3 Referendum Planning Following speculation that the referendum was likely to be held in 2016, planning and preparation activities have already been taking place in conjunction with those already taking place for the Scottish Parliamentary election. D3.1 Polling Scheme and other accommodation A polling scheme is an essential building block for any poll and the polling places agreed by the Council Executive in January 2016 will be used for the Referendum. The date of the referendum can now be confirmed to all polling places, and other essential accommodation such as the count venue D3.1 Chief Counting Officer Liaison has already started with the CCO. The Electoral Management Board and Electoral Commission held a seminar for Returning Officers in January 2016 primarily on the Scottish Parliamentary election, but it also covered issues relating to the referendum; the Electoral Commission has published Guidance for Returning Officers; and an initial test of the CCO’s count collation system is scheduled for 7 March 2016 There are currently Directions from the CCO in 8 areas When the notice of referendum is published Content of and ordering ballot papers Allocation of voters to polling stations Date poll cards are despatched Date postal ballots are despatched Timing of the count Method of verification and count Provision of performance information to the CCO Arrangements are in place to ensure that all Directions can be met. D3.2 Awareness Raising The Awareness Raising Group has considered what the key messages for the referendum might be but will work closely with the Electoral Commission and other partners in the run up to the referendum. The CCO, RCOs and COs all share the duty to encourage participation in the referendum. D3.3 Contractors and Suppliers All necessary contracts are in place with suppliers for the referendum. These include postal votes printing and issue, ballot papers, and the Absent Vote Identifier Checking system. Meetings with key contractors have also been arranged where considered appropriate 3 D3.4 Staffing Staff being appointed to work at the Scottish Parliamentary election have also been asked about their willingness to work at the referendum and now that the date has been confirmed, they can be asked to confirm their availability. E. CONCLUSION The date of the referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union has been confirmed as Thursday 23 June. The proximity of this date to the date of the Scottish Parliamentary election does present some extra challenges, but the planning process for the delivery of the referendum is already underway, and partners are already engaged in working together. F. BACKGROUND REFERENCES None Appendices/Attachments: None Contact Person: Caroline Burton; 01506 281651; [email protected] Name of CMT Member: Graham Hope, Chief Executive, Date: 01/03/2015 4 Preparing for Elections: Appendix1 – Scheme of Polling Places and Districts Polling Polling Proposal District Place Ward 1 Linlithgow LFL1A Chalmers Hall , Main Street, Linlithgow Bridge No change to polling place LFL1E Linlithgow Primary School , Preston Road, Linlithgow No change to polling place LFL1F Newton Community Centre , Duddingston Crescent, No change to polling place Newton LFL1G Philpstoun Community Centre , Main Street, No change to polling place Philpstoun LFL1C Queen Margaret Hall , Blackness Road, Linlithgow No change to polling place LFL1D Springfield Primary School , Springfield Road, No change to polling place Linlithgow LFL1B St Ninian's Craigmailen Parish Church Hall , No change to polling place Longcroft Hall Philip Avenue, Linlithgow LFL1I Bridgend Village Hall , Bridgend, No change to polling place LVL1H 5 Preparing for Elections: Appendix1 – Scheme of Polling Places and Districts Polling Polling Proposal District Place Ward 2 Broxburn, Uphall and Winchburgh LVL2D Bridgend Village Hall , Bridgend, No change to polling place LVL2J Broxburn Primary School , School Road Off West No change to polling place Main Street, Broxburn LVL2K Broxburn Sports Centre , Church Street, Broxburn No change to polling place LFL2A Dechmont Memorial Hall , Main Street, Dechmont No change to polling place LVL2B LVL2C Ecclesmachan Community Hall , Ecclesmachan, No change to polling place LVL2H Kirkhill Primary School , Rashierig, Broxburn No change to polling place LVL2I Strathbrock Partnership , West Main Street, No change to polling place Broxburn LVL2E Uphall Community Centre , Strathbrock Place, No change to polling place Uphall LVL2F Uphall Primary School , Crossgreen Drive, Uphall No change to polling place LVL2G Uphall South Church Hall , East Main Street, Uphall No change to polling place LFL2N Winchburgh Community Centre , Craigton Place, No change to polling place LVL2M Winchburgh LVL2L Winchburgh Primary School , (Nursery Wing) No change to polling place Glendevon Park, Winchburgh 6 Preparing for Elections: Appendix1 – Scheme of Polling Places and Districts Polling Polling Proposal District Place Ward 3 Livingston North LVA3B Carmondean Connected , Carmondean Centre, No change to polling place Livingston LVA3E Carmondean Community Centre , Nether Dechmont No change to polling place Farm, Fells Rigg LVA3A Livingston Station Community Centre, Main Street, No change to polling place Deans, Livingston LVA3C Livingston Village Primary School , Kirkton North No change to polling place Road, Livingston LVA3F Mosswood Community Centre , Knightsridge, No change to polling place Livingston LVA3G Newyearfield Farm Community Centre , No change to polling place Newyearfield, Livingston LVA3D Peel Primary School , Garden Place Eliburn East, No change to polling place Livingston 7 Preparing for Elections: Appendix1 – Scheme of Polling Places and Districts Polling Polling Proposal District Place Ward 4 Livingston South LVA4I Bankton Mains Pavilion , Bankton Walk Murieston, No change to polling place Livingston LVA4D Bankton Primary School , Kenilworth Rise Dedridge, No change to polling place Livingston LVA4J Bellsquarry Village Hall , Calder Road, Bellsquarry No change to polling place LVA4F Crofthead Farm Community Education Centre , No change to polling place Templar Rise Dedridge,