After the poll you should carry out a thorough evaluation of all processes outlined in your project plan seeking feedback from appropriate stakeholders, and produce a lessons learnt document which can be used to inform the project plan and risk register for future electoral events.
Your evaluation process should involve seeking feedback from the relevant Returning Officers across your combined authority area and other appropriate stakeholders.
We have provided, as part of the template project plan, some sample objectives and suggested tools that will allow you to measure the extent to which the conduct of the election has been successful.
The scope of the review should cover all aspects of the election. Your project plan should be used as the starting point for the review, and each process that was planned for and carried out should be reviewed.
A key part of the review will be the consideration of the aims and objectives set out in your project plan and measuring your performance against these.
You should pay particular attention to reviewing:
your project planning
whether you were able to secure adequate resources
the effectiveness of your management and co-ordination structure, including the monitoring of planning for and delivery of the election by Returning Officers across your combined authority area
the effectiveness of your communication strategies and methods
the recruitment and training of staff
engagement with candidates and agents
the management of the nomination process and publication of candidates’ addresses
the organisation and delivery of the result collation process
the suitability of venues used
the processing and handling of queries
any issues affecting the security/integrity of the election
As part of the review you should seek feedback from appropriate stakeholders, including:
staff
electors
candidates, agents and political parties
Returning Officers from across the combined authority area and their staff
local organisations of disabled people, older people and minority ethnic groups, and the council’s access officers
Once you have reviewed all aspects of the election and sought feedback from appropriate stakeholders you should produce a lessons learnt document.
The lessons learnt document should include an analysis of what practices were successful and where these could be used elsewhere, what you would do again or do differently, and key recommendations. The lessons learnt report should then be used to inform your project plan and risk register for future electoral events. You should also provide feedback to relevant Returning Officers across the combined authority area as part of their review of the conduct of the election in their constituent council area.