Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: March 3, 2025

Purpose:

Content: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Strategy and Change) in response to a Notice of Motion concerning improved voting provision for visually impaired people referred by Council on 12 December 2024.   Resolved:   1. That the RNIB Blind Voters Count campaign, be supported.   2. That officers continue to work with the RNIB along with local charities, such as Southend In Sight to research the local impact among the City’s visually impaired residents.   3. That officers continue to research solutions that allow blind people to vote independently both within the polling stations in Southend and by post.   4. That the additional measures to improve accessibility for blind/partially sighted people be funded from the allocation of a one-off sum of up to £20,000 to be met from the Council’s Corporate Contingency budget.   5. That officers continue to reach out to other local and national disability charities to understand any difficulties residents with other disabilities have when voting in order to improve accessibility for all.   Reasons for decision:   To respond to the Notice of Motion.   Other options:   None.   Note: This is an Executive Function Not eligible for call-in Cabinet Member: Cllr Cowan