Response 1067049

Response to request for information

Reference

1067049

Response date

24 March 2023

Request

1. What is the total budget that is to be spent on awareness campaigns, ii) what is the spend up to the 28th February 2023?
2. How much of the total budget is local authority funded and how much is funded by central government?
3. How many days have council staff spent on the awareness campaign?
4. What assessment did you make of the number/% of residents who were unaware of the requirement to present photo ID at polling stations before your campaign started?
5. What target have you set for the number/% of residents who are aware of the need for Photo ID, ii) how are you measuring it and iii) what is your latest estimate of the number/% of residents who are aware of the need for photo voter ID?
6. Which, if any, groups have been identified as the most difficult to communicate the new requirements under the Election Act 2022 to?
7. How much extra time has been set aside for training polling station staff who will be present at the local election polling stations on the 4th May 2023 on the new requirements under the Election Act 2022 to present a photo ID at polling stations?
8. What additional planning have you undertaken with the local police force to ensure that polling stations staff are kept safe in the event that voters raise concerns regarding having to show photo ID?
9. What guidance have you received from central government regarding the safety of polling station staff on polling day?
10. How many questions or complaints from residents have you received regarding the new requirements for Voter ID under the Election Act 2022?

Response

1. What is the total budget that is to be spent on awareness campaigns.

   The Council has not set a specific budget for awareness campaigns related to Voter ID. A significant proportion of awareness raising activity is being done via existing council communication and marketing resources including channels such as the Council website, social media and resident newsletter, supported by the Council’s existing Communications Team. In addition there have been direct emails to electors who have provided an email address to electoral services.

   ii) what is the spend up to the 28th February 2023?

   Printing costs for leaflet insert into Council Tax mailing - £6029

2. How much of the total budget is local authority funded and how much is funded by central government?

   As noted above, no specific budget has been set for awareness campaigns. The Government has provided additional grant funding to each local authority for the new electoral requirements arising from the Elections Act 2022, specifically to support the implementation of Voter ID and the requirements relating to accessibility for disabled voters. This funding is intended to cover elector engagement, training, provision and storage of equipment, and administrative costs. Rushcliffe has received a grant of £19,744 for 2022/23 and is expected to receive £33,633 for 2023/24.

3. How many days have council staff spent on the awareness campaign?

   The Council has not collected and therefore does not hold this information.

4. What assessment did you make of the number/% of residents who were unaware of the requirement to present photo ID at polling stations before your campaign started?

   The Council did not make a local assessment of this but based assumptions on national data provided the Electoral Commission. The EC voter ID pre-campaign survey undertaken in December 2022 found 78% of people were unaware of the new requirement to show photo ID in polling stations.

5. What target have you set for the number/% of residents who are aware of the need for Photo ID, ii) how are you measuring it and iii) what is your latest estimate of the number/% of residents who are aware of the need for photo voter ID?

   No target has been set, The aim is for all those eligible to vote to be aware and the level of awareness will be determined through data capture at the local elections in May 2023.

6. Which, if any, groups have been identified as the most difficult to communicate the new requirements under the Election Act 2022 to?

   Such groups have been identified nationally and can be found on the Electoral Commission website at Voter ID | Electoral Commission The groups listed are:

   • Disabled people
   • Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities
   • Older people
   • People experiencing homelessness
   • People who are registered to vote anonymously
   • Trans and non-binary people

    

   I refer to your request for information received on 15 March 2023 and would advise you that the registration of electors is governed by the Representation of the People Act 1983 as amended. Under Section 8 of the Act, the council must appoint an officer of the council to be the registration officer for any constituency or part of a constituency coterminous with or situated in the council’s area. Katherine Marriott (Chief Executive) is the appointed officer for the registration area of Rushcliffe. Her appointment as Electoral Registration Officer is separate to her appointment as Chief Executive and, although appointed by the council, the Electoral Registration Officer’s responsibilities and duties are personal. An example of this is that the register of electors is deemed to be the property of the Electoral Registration Officer, not the local authority.

   The Electoral Registration Officer does not carry out the duties on behalf of the local authority but in her own personal capacity. A list of public bodies and local authorities that are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act is available.

   As you will see, the Freedom of Information Act does not list any person appointed under the Representation of the People Act 1983. It follows that the Electoral Registration Officer, Returning Officer or any other person appointed under the Act are not subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.

   Notwithstanding that there is no statutory obligation to provide this information, the Electoral Services Section have considered your request and, if the information is readily accessible, it is provided below

7. How much extra time has been set aside for training polling station staff who will be present at the local election polling stations on the 4th May 2023 on the new requirements under the Election Act 2022 to present a photo ID at polling stations?

   Incorporated as part of the wider training package, estimated to be approximately one hour but can vary depending on the role.

8. What additional planning have you undertaken with the local police force to ensure that polling stations staff are kept safe in the event that voters raise concerns regarding having to show photo ID? Planning meetings have been taking place with Nottinghamshire Police and an operational policing plan is in development. There will be Police support and patrols throughout polling day.
9. What guidance have you received from central government regarding the safety of polling station staff on polling day?

   All guidance is provided by the Electoral Commission and is publicly available at Home Page | Electoral Commission.

10. How many questions or complaints from residents have you received regarding the new requirements for Voter ID under the Election Act 2022? One.