FOR those residents who have yet to respond to the consultation to change to whole council elections every 4 years, I urge you to do so before the closing date of 5pm Monday 18 September – today.

It is a consultation in the loosest sense of the word; you are given a binary choice – either we keep the current system of ‘elections by thirds’ or change to whole council elections every 4 years.

The council have highlighted the options for retaining the current system as:

• More frequent opportunities to make your views known with more immediate political accountability.
• Greater continuity of councillors as they can’t all be replaced in a single election.
• Gradual change that retains knowledge and experience whilst allowing for new councillors with new ideas.
• Voting for one councillor at an election is simpler and understood by voters.

The four reasons cited for radically changing the system are as follows, and I have addressed them accordingly:

1. It would save nearly £100k a year.

The alleged savings of nearly £100k a year which Cllr Leppard has quoted in the YH Letter to the Editor on 27 July 2023, as being guaranteed that this amount is ring-fenced for services and facilities for Harlow’s young people requires further clarification.

• How long will a fund of £100K for services and facilities for Harlow’s young people continue for?
• Does this mean that Harlow’s young people have been underfunded by £100K?  
• What services and facilities for Harlow’s young people have been identified and who identified them, was it Cllr Leppard or was this a cross party collaboration decision?

2. It would ensure that the council spends all of its time for four years making Harlow a better place, not on political fighting and elections.

This is not a reason to change the current election process and I am not certain that by changing the system to an election every four years would ensure that the council spends all of its time making Harlow a better place.  

Political fighting serves to distract residents from the real problems facing the town and seems to be a regular sport within the council chambers and on social media platforms.   There appears to be far too many egos on the council who need to be reminded of the Nolan principles and the fact that their expenses are paid by those they are supposedly serving.

Four years would enable such councillors to indulge themselves, such as often using the title of  ‘councillor’ when not even on council business, to attend the minimum required number of meetings to avoid a by-election, not necessarily contributing to any attended meeting, to claim their expenses (current £4,575 per annum is the basic allowance).  Members allowances are clearly set out, for transparency purposes on the council’s website .  The cold reality in such situations is that residents are left for four years without a voice at the council chamber.

3. It would provide real time to make a difference for the council administration. 

Are the council suggesting that they could have done better in the past given more time?   Again, further clarification with evidence is required in order for this to be given more credence.

4. Your vote really would matter.

This statement implies that your vote has not really mattered in the past.  For your vote to ensure that the view of the electorate is truly represented, you would need to look at an Alternative Voting System (AVS).  

To conclude, if Harlow council does change to whole council elections every 4 years, it will never go back to a term of fewer years.  

If the council are so intent on changing the system, I would suggest a compromise whereby a trial of two year election cycles and an alternative voting system are introduced to the residents of Harlow.  

The most appropriate system for elections to local Government is the Single Transferable Vote (STV). Electors would have one ballot paper and rank their candidates in order of preference which would enable multiple councillors to be elected for each ward. STV could either work through electing the whole council at once or by electing half the council at each election to enable elections to take place every two years. 

The Electoral Register could be simplified.  Residents would be automatically registered to vote through council tax records. If council tax is abolished, another method of automatically registering people to vote in elections, based on local records, will be sought.  

If you are a Harlow resident, please respond to the consultation before 5pm today as it will affect you.  

Yasmin Gregory

Co-Chair – Harlow Green Party

Green Party Candidate for Old Harlow