Agenda item

This report reviews the process used in 2006 to select a Champion for Children and Young People and asks the Executive Member to determine the arrangements for the coming year.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That The Children and Young People’s Champion remain an elected Member

(ii)         That a new Member Champion for Children and Young People be elected as soon as possible

(iii)       That Officers explore the possibilities of an ICT based election

(iv)        That the issues regarding process and fairness that arose in the last election be addressed

(v)          That the format of the ICT process be delegated to Officers and the Executive Members and Shadow Executive Members for Children’s Services and Youth and Social Inclusion.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:       That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:            To ensure that a cross-section of children and young people have an opportunity to talk with the candidates face to face, as well as extending the option to vote to the maximum amount of children and young people at a reasonable cost.

Members considered a report that reviewed the process used in 2006 to select a Champion for Children and Young People and asks the Executive Member to determine the arrangements for the coming year.

Although this appointment has been a success, some criticisms were made of the selection process, most notably that there were no clear election rules, as a consequence of which young people did not all have a similar understanding of the process or an equal opportunity to make their voice heard. There was also a lack of clarity about the conduct of the hustings and the publication of election material.

The review was also asked to consider whether the post might be opened up to an independent person, rather than an elected Member.

At a recent meeting of the Young People’s Working Group the following recommendations were made to the Executive Members for Children’s Services and Advisory Panel:

(i)                 That, due to the Council’s Constitution, the Children’s and Young People’s Champion should be an elected Member, as the Constitution could not easily be changed

(ii)               That Councillor Scott’s term as Children’s and Young People’s Champion be extended until May 2008 until the process of selection has been approved

(iii)             That the election of the Children’s and Young Person’s Champion be moved to May rather than October

(iv)              That Officers bring a report to the next meeting of the Young Person’s Working Group regarding other options for the selection of a Children’s and Young People’s Champion including the possibility of electronic voting, making option 1 in the current report more feasible (especially financially)

The Director of Learning, Culture and Children’s Services clarified that there had been consultation with young people and it was from their comments that it had been decided to recommend that an independent person be selected as the next Champion for Children and Young People.  

The following points were raised in discussion:

• There were logistical problems with schools running the elections that needed to be overcome
• There were further logistical problems around the possibility of electronic voting. Schools were already stretched and it was felt that it would be difficult for children to access any material to do with the selection of the Champion within lesson times
• Some Members, who had spoken with young people regarding the selection of a Children and Young People’s Champion, reported back that the young people thought that an elected Member could not be impartial as they were affiliated to a political party. It was the young people who wanted an independent person as the next Champion
• It was noted that young people felt that they would like to move towards a more formal election process
• Some Members felt that an independent person would not have as much authority to support young people as an elected Member
• The Council Constitution says that Champions should be elected Members. It was felt that it was too short notice to ask for a review of the constitution but this could be done at a later date if it was considered necessary
• Problems associated with fairness and process at the last election needed to be addressed
• May was not a good time for schools as they were busy with SATS and other exams. The best time for schools would be in the lead up to Christmas
• Members generally agreed that an ‘electronic’ voting system was definitely worthwhile and there were several options surrounding this. Some Members mentioned the possibility of working with local universities and colleges on this. It was noted that any charges in excess of £10,000 would mean that more than one quote would be needed
• Members asked Officers to find out if there were already software packages available; ‘I’m a Councillor, get me out of here’ was mentioned and Officers agreed to re-look at this as a possibility
• Some Members thought that an electronic voting system would need a commitment from Corporate IT
• Concerns were raised around the security of an electronic voting system
• Members felt that it was a priority to move this forward as soon as possible and were reluctant to wait until May before the selection of a new Children and Young People’s Champion

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That The Children and Young People’s Champion remain an elected Member

(ii)         That a new Member Champion for Children and Young People be elected as soon as possible

(iii)       That Officers explore the possibilities of an ICT based election

(iv)        That the issues regarding process and fairness that arose in the last election be addressed

(v)          That the format of the ICT process be delegated to Officers and the Executive Members and Shadow Executive Members for Children’s Services and Youth and Social Inclusion.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:       That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:            To ensure that a cross-section of children and young people have an opportunity to talk with the candidates face to face, as well as extending the option to vote to the maximum amount of children and young people at a reasonable cost.