Date: Wednesday 21 July 2021

Time: 9:30am to 12:45pm

Location: By video conference

Date of next scheduled meeting: Wednesday 22 September 2021

  • John Pullinger, Chair 
  • Rob Vincent
  • Alex Attwood 
  • Sarah Chambers
  • Elan Closs Stephens 
  • Stephen Gilbert
  • Alasdair Morgan 
  • Joan Walley 

In attendance: 

  • Bob Posner, Chief Executive 
  • Craig Westwood, Director, Communications, Policy and Research 
  • Louise Edwards, Director, Regulation 
  • Ailsa Irvine, Director, Electoral Administration and Guidance 
  • Kieran Rix, Director, Finance and Corporate Services 
  • Binnie Goh, General Counsel
  • Zena Khan, Senior Advisor, Governance 
  • Hannah Kavanagh, Legal Officer (for all items)
  • Alicia Diaz, Legal and Governance Officer (for all items)
  • Phil Thompson, Head of Research (for items 4 and 7)
  • Rhydian Thomas, Head, Electoral Commission, Wales (for item 4)
  • Sarah Mackie, Manager, Electoral Commission, Scotland (for item 4)
  • Katy Knock, Policy Manager (for items 4, 6 and 7)
  • Tom Hawthorn Head, Policy (for items 5, 7 and CSPL item) 
  • David Bailey, Head, Strategic Planning and Performance (for item 5)
  • Niki Nixon, Head, External Communications (for items 6 and 7) 
  • Laura Mcleod, Public Affairs Manager (for item 6)
  • Mark Williams, Policy Manager (for item 6) 
  • Kate Engles, Policy Manager (for items 6 and CSPL item)
  • Orla Hennessey, Media Relations and Public Information Manager (for item 7)
  • Andreea Ghita, Senior Communications Officer (for item 7)
  • Susan Crown, Head, Campaigns and Corporate Identity (for item 8)
  • Dan Adamson, Head, Monitoring and Enforcement (for CSPL item)
     

Apologies and welcomes

Apologies were received from Commissioner Sue Bruce.

The Board noted that Commissioner Sarah Chambers’ appointment to the Commission Board for a second term ending in 2026 had been confirmed.

The Board further noted that the appointment of the new Commissioner for Northern Ireland, Katy Radford has now been approved by the House of Commons and subject to timely receipt of the Royal Warrant will start with the Commission on 1 September 2021.  
 

Declarations of interest

Commissioner Joan Walley declared the end of her term of office as Chair of Aldersgate Group ending 19 July 2021.

The Board noted that the Commissioners Register of interests would be updated and this reflected on the Commission’s external website in line with the Commissioners Code of Conduct.
 

Minutes of the previous Board meeting (EC 49/21)

Resolved: That the minutes of the Commission Board meeting on 23 June 2021 be agreed.

Reporting on the May 2021 polls (EC 50/21)

The Director, Electoral Administration and Guidance introduced the report providing information gathered and analysed from voters, campaigners and electoral administrators which forms an important part of our evidence base for reporting on the polls, which will be published in September 2021. 

The Board discussed reviewing comparable data trends on areas such as turnout and voter confidence.

The Board also discussed the inclusion of narrative in the reporting to provide context around voting / elections in the context of COVID.

The Board noted that we are continuing to engage at a UK-wide level, through national and regional forums and individually with local authority chief executives and election teams, to enhance the evidence base before the reports are finalised.       

Resolved: That the Board noted the update on emerging findings from the post May 2021 elections research and the key themes for reporting on the polls, to be published in September 2021.
 

Corporate Plan 2022/23 – 2026/27 (EC 51/21)

The Chief Executive introduced the draft Corporate Plan 2022/23 – 2026/27 building on the previous discussions on financial strategy at the June meeting.

The Board welcomed how the plan was developing and agreed to move forward from previous discussions, with offers of further review of the developing parts of the draft Plan from some Commissioners. 
 
Resolved: That the Board noted the draft Corporate Plan 2022/23 – 2026/27 subject to further planned work. 

Elections Bill Update (EC 52/21)

The Director, Communications, Policy and Research introduced the report, providing an overview of the key points and updates since they last met in June and further to the Bill’s publication on 5 July 2021.

The Board discussed elements of the key provisions, looking at the impact and evidence supporting the Commission’s position.

The Board welcomed the update and look forward to further updates as work streams develop.

Resolved: That the Board noted the update on the Bill and actions arising.

Modernising Voting research (EC 53/21)

The Director, Electoral Administration and Guidance introduced the report providing the Board with a summary of the key research findings on voters’ attitudes to voting and setting out  proposed next steps for the project on the feasibility of introducing reforms to the current voting process.

Resolved: That the Board noted the update on the research findings and agreed initial next steps on the project.

Public awareness plans for scheduled elections in May 2022 (EC 54/21)

The Director, Communications, Policy and Research introduced the report providing information on the Commission’s plans to deliver its function of providing public information ahead of the next scheduled set of elections across the UK.


Resolved: That the Board agreed the plans and budget for the voter registration campaign, identified issues and/or risks that should be taken into account. 
 

Governance Matter – Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) membership (EC 55/21)

The General Counsel introduced the report providing an update to the membership changes of the Audit and Risk Committee.

The Board acknowledged Alasdair Morgan’s sound service on the ARC.

Resolved: That the Board agreed the appointment of Stephen Gilbert onto the ARC for a three year term from 1 October 2021.

Resolved: That the Board agreed the renewal of the Independent Advisor Paul Redfern onto the ARC for a second three year term from 1 November 2021.
 

Commission Board Action Tracker (EC 56/21)

Resolved: That the Board noted the progress against actions requested by the Board.
 

Forward Plan of Board business (EC 57/21)

Commissioners discussed items of business for future meetings. These would be reflected in the Forward Plan of Board business at the September meeting. 

Resolved: That the Board reviewed and noted the Forward Plan of Board business scheduling further topics for the next few meetings.

At this point the Board concluded their business and this was followed by an informal briefing session on CSPL report recommendations.

The Board received a presentation on the recommendations made by the Committee on Standards in Public Life in its report on the regulation on electoral finance law, with initial analysis, led by the Director, Regulation.

The Board noted the CSPL report recommendations and thanked the Director, Regulation and the teams.