The Council of Southend-on-Sea met on Thursday 13 June 2024 to discuss the potential change in the election cycle. After a detailed debate, the council decided to retain the current system of elections by thirds rather than moving to whole council elections every four years.

Election Cycle Change Results

The primary focus of the meeting was the report from the Executive Director, Strategy and Change, which requested consideration of changing the election cycle from elections by thirds to whole council elections every four years. This discussion followed a public consultation initiated in October 2023, as recommended by the Local Government Association's corporate peer challenge. The consultation results, detailed in Appendix B - Election Cycle Consultation Partner and Staff Results and Appendix C - Election Cycle Consultation Analysis Final 2024, showed a slight preference for maintaining the status quo among residents.

Councillor Cowan introduced the proposal, highlighting the strong cases for both election cycles. He noted that while partners and stakeholders showed a preference for whole council elections, residents slightly favoured the current system. A two-thirds majority was required to change the electoral cycle, making it a significant political decision.

Arguments for Whole Council Elections

Councillor Courtney argued in favour of whole council elections, citing the benefits of stability, longer-term decision-making, and financial savings, albeit modest. He stated, I think it's a very quaint, old-fashioned approach to have elections by thirds. Westminster seems to manage to have an election every four years or five years or so and the civil service managed to cope with that.

Councillor Moyes supported this view, emphasizing that partners and businesses preferred the stability of a four-year cycle, which would allow for better planning and execution of long-term projects.

Arguments for Elections by Thirds

Councillor Wakefield and Councillor Ayland opposed the change, stressing the importance of continuous engagement with residents and the risk of losing experienced councillors if all were replaced at once. Councillor Ayland remarked, If you have an election every year, Councillors be working all that year. Once we get to four-year elections, what's going to happen? Just do nothing for three years, and in the last year you do something because elections are coming up.

Councillor Hyde and Councillor Collins echoed these sentiments, arguing that the current system ensures ongoing accountability and prevents political complacency. Councillor Hyde pointed out that the current system allows for gradual change and better retention of experienced councillors.

Decision

After extensive debate, the council voted on the proposal. The results were 10 votes in favour and 35 against, falling short of the required two-thirds majority. Consequently, the council decided to retain the current system of elections by thirds.

For more details, you can refer to the Public reports pack 13th-Jun-2024 18.30 The Council and the Report of Executive Director Strategy and Change.