WOKINGHAM Borough Council has rejected plans to revamp local elections.
The proposal for all-out elections to be held every four years was recommended for approval by council officers, but it did not get a two-thirds majority to see it passed by councillors.
If approved, it would have seen annual elections, by thirds, replaced by all-out elections every four years, starting in 2024.
Cllr Clive Jones, leader of Wokingham Borough Council and Wokingham Liberal Democrats, voted against the recommendation.
Cllr Jones said: “Elections are a good thing, they allow residents, our electorate to hold the council to account for their actions.
“Of course, cost savings are important especially when a council faces serious budget issues, and we in Wokingham sure do face some serious budget issues.
“But I believe that the accountability that comes with elections by thirds is paramount.
“The three things that are of vital importance that councillors, officers and residents should consider paramount in their decision-making tonight must be accountability, accountability, accountability.”
Following an executive meeting on Thursday, February 17, the council consulted stakeholders on moving to a whole council electoral cycle.
There were 3,067 responses to the consultation, with 54% voting in favour of the move and 46% in favour of retaining the current arrangement.
Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, leader of the opposition Wokingham Conservative Group, said councillors should “respect” the public and voted for the recommendation.
She added: “The council, before making a decision on its election system for years to come, invited the electorate to say what they wanted.
“Residents expressed their view in favour of all-out elections in one of the best response rates for a consultation the council has ever had.
“It is therefore our responsibility to implement what our residents want.”
Of the 52 unitary authorities in England, Wokingham Borough Council is one of only 16 councils that continue to elect by thirds.
Cllr Keith Baker, Conservative for Coronation ward, spoke passionately against the changes, joking “I’m probably going to be excommunicated after my speech”.
He said: “Many respondents (to the consultation) highlighted thirds allow the administration to be scrutinised and challenged on a yearly basis, whereas in all-out elections you can only do that every four years.
“This means the administration can make some serious mistakes year after year and residents have no ability to influence their behaviour.
“It’s a sort of concept that we only have democracy once every four years.
“I personally think that all-out elections weaken the democratic process significantly.”
