Decision details

Reasons for proposed decision:

At the Full Council Meeting on 30 April 2021, the Council resolved to:-

2.1       Endorse the holding of a local authority poll (local referendum) of all residents of Somerset West and Taunton on the Electoral Register at 6 May 2021 who are eligible to vote on local elections, on the two options for the future of local government in Somerset i.e. the two Unitary Councils proposal from Stronger Somerset and the one Unitary Council proposal from One Somerset.

2.2       Approve funding of £86,000 to meet the costs associated with the local authority poll (local referendum).  It is proposed that this supplementary budget is funded from General Reserves.

2.3       Note that the decision to hold the local authority poll (local referendum) requires an executive decision to be made before proceeding with the poll.  It is proposed that following Full Council’s decision as to whether to endorse the holding of the local authority poll (local referendum), the Leader of the Council will make the following executive decision:

a)    to hold the local authority poll (local referendum) of all residents of Somerset West and Taunton on the Electoral Register at 6 May 2021 who are eligible to vote in local elections, on the two options for the future of local government in Somerset poll including:-

b)    The conducting of the local authority poll (local referendum) as a postal and online referendum (option set out in 6.10ii) utilising Civica Electoral Services with the poll commencing on Tuesday 18 May 2021 and closing at 5pm on Friday 4 June 2021.

c)     The holding of the local authority poll (local referendum) alongside such other Somerset Councils that agree.

d)    The local authority poll (local referendum) will follow the single non-transferable vote system and the question to be asked will be:

“Which of the two options for change in local government in Somerset to replace the existing five councils do you support (select one only):

a.     One council for Somerset (“One Somerset” - the plan for a single council proposed by Somerset County Council)

b.     Two councils for Somerset: Eastern Somerset and Western Somerset (“Stronger Somerset” the plan for two councils for Somerset – an Eastern and a Western Somerset council –proposed by Somerset West and Taunton Council and the other district councils of Somerset

e)    That the Executive delegate the role of Counting Officer to Civica Electoral Services. 

f)      That the Executive make such resources, including staff resources, as necessary to the Counting Officer to enable the local authority poll (local referendum) to be conducted;

g)    To delegate to the Chief Executive, the authority to take any further action necessary in relation to this matter

h)    To write to the Secretary of State to inform him of the local authority poll (local referendum) and its dates, and ask that the result of the local authority poll (local referendum) be properly considered as part of the decision making process on the future of local government in Somerset.