Board minutes: 9 April (extraordinary meeting)

Date: 9 April 2019

Time: 9am to 10am

Location: Boothroyd Room, 3 Bunhill Row, London

John Holmes, Chair

Alasdair Morgan (Videoconference)

Alastair Ross (Teleconference)

Anna Carragher (Teleconference)

Elan Closs Stephens

Joan Walley

Rob Vincent (Teleconference)

Sarah Chambers (Teleconference)

Stephen Gilbert

Bob Posner, Chief Executive

Ailsa Irvine, Director, Electoral Administration and Guidance

Louise Edwards, Director, Regulation (Videoconference)

Craig Westwood, Director, Communications and Research

David Meek, Senior Adviser, Governance

Jennifer Hartland, Head of Human Resources

Apologies and introductions

Sue Bruce sent her apologies.

Declarations of interest

No new declarations of interest.

European Parliamentary Elections decision-making discussion (EC 23/19)

Bob Posner explained that the Government had confirmed that the European Parliamentary Election would be held on 23 May 2019, unless an agreement had been reached for the UK to leave the European Union and the polls were consequently cancelled. We were therefore preparing for these elections on the assumption that they would go ahead on this day.

Craig Westwood introduced the paper setting out options for the proposed registration awareness raising campaign related to the European Parliamentary Election, with different spending plans attached to each. The Commission had a statutory duty to conduct such campaigns, but there was also an obvious need for a proportionate campaign, given the relatively short period available on this occasion, and the need to ensure that any budget spent could achieve a significant impact. The Commission would also be working with our usual partners, including local authorities, which provided a lot of extra impact without requiring extra spending.

The Board was assured that, if it became clear at any stage that the European Parliamentary Election would probably or definitely not go ahead, spending on the registration campaign could and would be delayed/paused or – ultimately – cancelled, to the extent possible.

The Board discussed the targeting of the campaign funding and noted the clear evidence base that existed relating to under-registered groups. There was also a discussion of the duties and obligations on the Commission during election periods.

Anna Carragher left the meeting at 9.40.

Resolved: That the Commission should mount a campaign on the lines recommended, up to a maximum spend of £500,000.

Update on recruitment of new Chief Executive

Officers were asked to leave the meeting, except for Jennifer Hartland, who took the official note for this item.

John Holmes recalled the note from the recruitment panel that he had sent to Board members the previous day and provided an oral update. The Board noted the rigour of the selection process, involving an outside recruitment agency and an interview panel including an independent outside member, and the high calibre of the candidates under consideration. The Board discussed the selection and adopted the panel’s recommendation.

Resolved: That Bob Posner be appointed to the post of Chief Executive.