Local Government and Public Services Committee

Electoral arrangements scrutiny project

Project Plan.

Stage 1 - Identification of issues

• Agreement of terms of reference - 9 March
• Evidence from the Electoral Commission on the local government elections 2004. - 9 March
• Evidence from Roger Morris (former chief returning officer for England and expert on electoral administration) - summer term
• Evidence from D Bryn Parry Jones - Chief Returning Officer for Wales - summer term
• Agreement on the main issues - summer term

Stage 2 - Exploration of methods used by other administrations

• Paper on electoral issues and arrangements in other European countries - 20 April
• Fact finding visit to European countries to explore various methods used to address the issues identified at stage 1 - 30 May - 3 June
• Evidence from other countries as necessary (written or oral) - summer/autumn term
• Exploration of methods currently being used in Wales - autumn term
• Report on methods used by other countries to address issues identified at stage 1 - November 2005 (possible use of electronic discussion forum as part of the consultation to encourage young people’s views?)

Stage 3 - Consultation on methods identified in stage 2.

• Report on methods produced at stage 2 to consultation - May 2006.
• Evidence gathering sessions - rapporteur visits and formal oral evidence sessions - Autumn term 2006.
• Final report and recommendations - Autumn term 2006.