The Assistant Director of Legal & Democratic Services submitted a report setting out a recommendation made by the Personnel Committee at its meeting on 20 November 2025 (Minute 10 refers), to appoint the Executive Director of Resources as Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer.  An Appendix to the report set out consequential amendments to the Council’s Constitution to reflect the proposed changes.

The report noted that, following the previous postholder’s departure from the Council in December 2025, the post of Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services was filled by an interim officer pending permanent recruitment.  With local elections scheduled for May 2026, it was not considered appropriate for them to be managed by an interim officer, and therefore Personnel Committee had been asked to recommend that the Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer roles be reallocated to the Executive Director of Resources.  It was essential for the Council to have both an Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer in place to ensure the smooth running of electoral processes and uphold democratic integrity. These statutory roles were crucial for overseeing the organisation of elections, maintaining accurate electoral registers, and guaranteeing that all legal requirements were met.  The Executive Director of Resources had experience of managing local elections and had undertaken relevant training.

The following motion was moved by Councillor Terry and seconded by Councillor Leng and CARRIED:

Resolved –

(1)       That the appointment of Louise Duffield, Executive Director of Resources, as Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer, be approved;

(2)       That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make the consequential amendments to the Council’s Constitution as set out in the Appendix to the report.