Board minutes: 29 June 2026

The Chair welcomed all to the meeting. No apologies for absence were received from Commissioners or Executive Team members. There were no conflicts raised regarding items on the agenda for discussion or decision.

The Board was notified of an upcoming senior staff change in Scotland, planned communications and arrangements to fill the post. The Board also highlighted the support provided across the Commission to the Scotland team and the team’s excellent work in the recent Scottish parliamentary elections.

The Director of Policy, Research and Voter Engagement updated the Board on the progress of the Representation of the People Bill, confirming that it remained the expectation that the Bill would reach the Commons in mid-July with a substantive discussion scheduled to be held in the House of Lords in the autumn. Due to the short consultation period, the Commission would prioritise the areas for parliamentary briefing. The Board noted that current proposals within the Bill would use revenue as the metric for company donations, but that Commission representatives would continue to press the case for profit being the metric.

The General Counsel and Director of Devolution and Law updated on devolution aspects of the Bill and the recent announcement of the Welsh Government to implement automatic voter registration (AVR) in time for the local elections in Wales in May 2027. The Board noted the scheduled debate in the House of Lords for later in the week on the regulatory regime for political finance and the role of the Electoral Commission.

The Director of Electoral Administration and Regulation reported that the three by-elections held on 18 June 2026 had proceeded well. Electoral Commission staff had attended polling stations and counts to observe delivery of the polls. The Commission was continuing to engage with the Combined Authority Returning Officer regarding the Manchester mayoral by-election and was in discussion with Greater Manchester Police. The Board thanked staff for their work in supporting the polls.

The Board Chair updated the Board on his participation in a panel session the week prior with the University College London Constitution Unit on the Representation of the People Bill where interest was expressed regarding the Commission’s observations on the information environment, and voting systems, including what could be learnt from elsewhere.

The Board Chair also confirmed that the process to recruit a Scotland Commissioner was underway with good representation on the panel from Scotland. The recruitment for the Wales Commissioner would commence soon afterwards.

Resolved: The Board noted the update from the Executive Team.

The Corporate Director presented the near final Annual Report and Accounts (ARA) and confirmed the latest progress with the external audit and consideration of the report by the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC). He confirmed that there was only one substantive item remaining open for the external audit relating to the disclosures on the Policy Development Grant to the Alba Party. The final wording of this disclosure was being agreed with the National Audit Office (NAO). He further highlighted that NAO had appreciated the need for the Commission to await the conclusion of the police investigation, though recommended that a conclusion be reached in future years’ accounts on the amount likely to be repaid.

The Head of Internal and Corporate Communications confirmed the timetable for laying the ARA with the three parliaments.

Thanks were given to the teams involved in developing the ARA and Commissioners commented on the tonal changes to the forewords and the improved external audit process.

Resolved: The Board:

• noted the preliminary report from the external audit
• received the verbal report from the ARAC meeting held on 22 June 2026
• agreed the delegated authority for final approval of the ARA to the Accounting Officer, the Chair of the Commission and the Chair of the ARAC

The Director of Communications and External Affairs summarised the process for the evaluation of the 2026 public awareness campaigns and the planned approach for future campaigns. It was noted that a decision would be put to the Board in July 2026 regarding the proposed approach and maximum budget for the 2027 campaigns. A wider strategic review of campaign activity was planned for the September Board meeting, to consider how future campaigns should respond to significant changes in the electoral landscape, with any revised approach expected to be implemented from 2028.

The Board noted the early evaluation findings, which indicated high levels of campaign awareness and positive performance against objectives. Initial post-campaign analysis suggested that the campaign approach continued to deliver strong results, while further work was underway to assess value for money, including the effectiveness of household booklets, investment in voter identification communications. It was noted that the procurement of media buying and creative services was underway to deliver future campaigns activity.  

Commissioners welcomed the positive registration outcomes and commended staff for the delivery of the campaigns. The importance of understanding the relative effectiveness of different campaign channels and targeting approaches was discussed, recognising the challenges of attributing registration activity to specific communications.

The Board also discussed lessons learned from the delivery of voter information materials, including opportunities to strengthen coordination with partners in Wales and to consider more joined-up approaches to future voter information booklets. The delivery of household booklets was also considered, including challenges affecting rural communities and whether election-related mailings could be more clearly distinguished from other non-addressed mail. It was agreed that these matters would be raised with Royal Mail.

The Board emphasised the importance of understanding the effectiveness and value for money of different campaign channels and audience targeting approaches, including whether expenditure was being directed towards activities that delivered the greatest impact. Commissioners requested further analysis of campaign costs, reach and outcomes, including trend data where available, to inform future decisions on campaign investment. The Board welcomed the commitment to undertake further evaluation, supported by the Finance team, ahead of consideration of the 2027 campaign programme.

Resolved: The Board noted the work undertaken on public awareness for the May 2026 elections and the proposed process for the formal approval of the strategy and expenditure for the May 2027 elections.

The Board approved the minutes of the Board meeting held on 16 June 2026, noting that they were an accurate record. 

The Board noted the status of the two open actions.

The Board noted the forward plan of business for 2026-27.

The Board discussed the principles to inform the 2027-28 Board and Committee calendar. Commissioners supported a flexible approach to scheduling, emphasising that meeting arrangements should be driven by business needs while providing sufficient notice and maintaining a clear forward work programme. There was broad support for continuing a programme of around seven Board meetings each year and for retaining in-person meetings wherever possible, recognising their value for effective discussion and relationship-building. The Board’s views would inform the proposed 2027-28 calendar for consideration at the next meeting.

The Board noted items for consideration by email and electronic resolution over the summer.

The meeting concluded at 11:00am with no further business.

The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 15 September 2026 at Bunhill Row.