Screening Out Democracy? Greens Challenge ‘Vote Visibility’ in B&NES

The Green Group in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) Council has raised concerns about the new electronic voting system introduced at the Guildhall in July. The switch from the traditional raised-hand voting procedure to large TV screens was intended to modernise and streamline council proceedings. However, the new system has led to confusion, accessibility issues, and a reduction in transparency in council decision-making.

Disruption to Public Seating and Accessibility

The introduction of the large screens has displaced public speakers, who previously sat along one side of the chamber. They are now directed to sit either outside the chamber or crowded into the press corner, raising questions about appropriate seating arrangements for the public.

The Council Monitoring Officer suggested seating members of the public in the centre of the room, an area akin to the middle of an amphitheatre, which is neither practical nor inclusive. This central area is not disability-friendly, and one wheelchair user found they were unable to move between the fixed wooden benches during a council meeting – highlighting the system’s lack of consideration for accessibility. Several councillors have also reported difficulty viewing the screens from their seats, further affecting their ability to participate effectively in meetings.

Councillor Joanna Wright, leader of the Green Group of B&NES councillors, commented:

“The new system has unintentionally created barriers for both councillors and the public. We are calling for an urgent review to ensure our meetings are inclusive and accessible to all.”

Transparency and Voting Issues

Concerns have also been raised about transparency. Votes are not always displayed with councillors’ names or listed alphabetically, making it difficult to track individual voting patterns. There is also no set duration for which names will be displayed. On some occasions, votes have not been displayed publicly at all, undermining transparency entirely. Previously, all votes were visible and clear to the public, unless a councillor was physically unable to raise their hand – a rare scenario.

In a recent full council meeting in September, the screens malfunctioned completely, halting proceedings and further casting doubt on the reliability of the system.

The new voting system was supposed to increase transparency, but instead, it has created confusion and obscured the process. We are now in a situation where only Democratic Services knows the breakdown of votes, which is neither fully transparent, anonymous, nor democratic.

Concerns Over Implementation

The Greens also question how the new voting system was introduced. The decision to implement the screens was included as part of a broader budget proposal, without adequate discussion or detail. Councillors were not fully informed of the specifics of the system, nor was it trialled before its adoption.

Green Councillor for Lambridge, Saskia Heijltjes, added:

“When councillors have raised these issues, they’ve been told that they voted for the system as part of the budget. This response dismisses both the individual and democratic concerns that have been expressed. The system was introduced without proper scrutiny, and now we are witnessing its impact on democratic engagement.”

The Green Group calls for a thorough review of the new voting procedure, citing the urgent need for a system that truly enhances, rather than diminishes, transparency and democratic integrity in B&NES Council proceedings. They urge the council to consider a return to a more accessible and transparent voting method that ensures effective participation for all councillors and the public. 

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