Category: News

About ID in polling stations

Voters in ten local authorities will be required to show ID before they can vote in the local government elections in May 2019.

The voter ID pilots will take place in North West Leicestershire, Watford, Mid Sussex, Derby, Braintree, North Kesteven, Broxtowe, Craven, Woking and Pendle

 These local authorities have volunteered to pilot voter ID and they, along with the Cabinet Office, Electoral Commission, the Association of Electoral Administrators, and a wider number of local authorities as part of a reference group, have been instrumental in designing and shaping how voter ID will work in each area.

As part of this process, the Cabinet Office and the Electoral Commission have commissioned independent research agencies (Ipsos MORI and BMG research) to carry out this fieldwork at random with the eligible electorate.

This will help give insight into the design of voter ID in each of these local areas, which will help inform the evaluation of the 2019 pilots.

 Q&A

1. Why have I been contacted by Ipsos MORI/BMG and asked about voter ID?

Your number/address was selected at random by Ipsos MORI/BMG, who are carrying out research on Voter ID on the behalf of the Cabinet Office/the Electoral Commission. Your contact details will not be shared with the Cabinet Office, the Electoral Commission, or anyone else outside Ipsos MORI/BMG.

2. Will anyone have access to my personal responses?

All your answers will be confidential and merged with the answers from other interviews.

3. Where can I find out which ID I will be required to show before voting?

Your local authority will be publishing this information on their website/your local authority has published this information on their website.

4. I don’t have ID, what shall I do?

Your local authority has put in place provisions for ensuring you can obtain a form of locally produced ID to enable you to be able to vote if you do not hold any of the listed items. Some areas will accept a poll card as a form of ID, so please bring your poll card to the polling station in those areas.

5. How can you justify this pilot when there is no evidence of widespread fraud?

Lord Eric Pickles identified tackling electoral fraud as a part of wider improvements to the integrity of elections and democracy.

6. What about people in care homes?

Local authorities are working closely with stakeholders to ensure that voter ID does not risk preventing any eligible voter from voting.

7. How much will it cost? Who’s paying for the extra cost involved?

The pilots are being conducted to identify the exact impact of voter ID, including its cost, before it is introduced nationally. The additional costs for the pilots will be fully funded by Cabinet Office.

8. Will the Government provide money for more staff at polling stations?

Yes, the Government will fund this if they are needed to ensure the successful running of polls where voter ID is required.

9. Will ID be required at the next scheduled General Election?

Cabinet Office and Electoral Commission will undertake detailed evaluation of the pilots after which the Government will announce the next step to implement voter ID nationally.

10. Will these pilots still go ahead if a snap General Election is called?

Cabinet Office is focused on successfully delivering the pilots over the local elections in May 2019. There is currently no provision in law to pilot at a General Election.

11. When will this be rolled out nationally?

Cabinet Office and Electoral Commission will undertake detailed evaluations of the pilots which will provide evidence to inform the way in which ID may be implemented.

12. Not everyone has ID – will this just disenfranchise people?

It is in nobody’s interest that any elector is disenfranchised. We are working to ensure that every eligible elector is able to identify themselves before voting.

We are delighted to announce our new Proud to Care website is now live!

Designed as the go to place to search for local care jobs and find out information about working in care plus lots more, we already have over 120 West Sussex care jobs featured on the website.

If you or anyone you know may be considering working in care we would encourage you to visit the website. If you require further information please email proudtocare@westsussex.gov.uk and one of our dedicated care recruitment team will be in touch.

Slipper Swap events help prevent falls

Many of us are aware how devastating a fall can be for older people and the subsequent impact on health, independence and confidence.

We’re tackling falls prevention in March at Slipper Swap events in selected libraries across the county. If you or a loved one are at risk of falling bring along your old worn-out slippers and swap them for a free new pair. They have thick non-slip soles and Velcro fastening helping to keep you steady.

For locations and dates of Slipper Swap events visit our website.

Doing simple gentle exercises can reduce the risk of falls by improving balance and building muscle strength. Do The Super Six exercises three times a week and see the difference. Watch the video and download a Super Six booklet here.

Since January, the West Sussex Waste Partnership has been asking residents to join them in ‘Tackling Textiles’.

They have focused on how to repair or reuse textiles and now their focus is on recycling.

So what can you do with textiles that are beyond repair or reuse?

• Use them as rags,
• Take old towels and blankets to an animal rescue centre,
• Take them to a textiles bank at your local Household Waste Recycling Site (HWRS),
• Take them to your nearest bring bank site.

You can find out more on what can go in the textiles/bring banks on our website.

West Sussex County Council has agreed to sublet Glen Vue in East Grinstead to a local charity in a move that will allow them to expand the level of support they offer in the town.

County council cabinet member for Finance and Resources, Jeremy Hunt, has today made the decision to agree to grant a sub-lease to Age UK East Grinstead, subject to a call-in period.

Subject to contract, Age UK East Grinstead is expected to take on the sub-lease from early May for a term of 20 years to provide support to the elderly population of the town.

West Sussex County Council is working closely with all parties to ensure a smooth handover of the premises.

West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, Amanda Jupp, said: “I am delighted that Age UK have ambitious plans for Glen Vue, which I am confident will be to the benefit of all residents who access these services in East Grinstead.”

Michael Shaw, Chair Age UK East Grinstead and District, said: “Age UK are delighted to be moving into Glen Vue, the increased space and facilities available will not only enable us to continue to provide the excellent services we offer to our members, but also gives us the opportunity to expand and support other charities and organisations who use the centre, creating an important and vibrant community hub for the town and surrounding areas.

“Age UK has a long history of providing very essential services and support for older people to enjoy, including hot lunches, trips and holidays, activities and a Help at Home service, all run by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers. Today, these services are even more vital, to help combat loneliness and isolation and support older people to be happy and fulfilled and make the very most out of later life.”

SACKVILLE School raised the roof with its production of Back to the 80s this week, a fabulously nostalgic high school musical featuring many of the infectious chart toppers their own parents would have grown up with.

The evening kicked off with the upbeat scene-setter Kids in America and didn’t pause for breath thereafter.

Olly Howland gave an endearingly wistful performance as the narrator Corey Palmer, looking back fondly at the lives and loves of his classmates at William Ocean High.

Ethan Chapman, playing his youthful student self, was laid back and lovable as he hopelessly pursued Tiffany Houston, “the prettiest girl in the year” played by Juno Phitidis in a sweet performance which captured all the bouncy girl-next-door wholesomeness of her role.

Jack Charlton Nevitt was tall enough, and handsome enough, to play a convincing Michael Feldman, the hottest jock at Ocean High, and a shoo-in for senior school president, prompting a great ensemble performance of the Toni Basil hit Hey Mickey.

And there was a lovely turn too from his VP sidekick Olivia Ody, playing the all-too-obviously Material Girl Cyndi Gibson.

The role of class nerd Feargal McFerrin III was in the safe hands of Charlotte Nield, whose excellent comic timing channelled a Young Sheldon as the class swot eventually turned kung fu hero, who delivered Feldman’s well-deserved come-uppance.

Nuhazet Diaz-Cano brought maturity, great vocals and frankly some pretty hot moves to his Maths master Stevie Cocker: while Tia Bartlett soared effortlessly through her fabulous performance as his heartbroken love interest Miss Brannigan.

Grace de Souza was poignant and vulnerable as the cruelly-betrayed new girl Eileen Reagan, while Charlie Stripp – who I last reviewed in his heart-breaking performance as Gavroche in Les Mis – showed his versatility as the comical Alf Bueller, earning several well-deserved laughs.

There were lovely supporting performances too from Maud Kendrick and Lauren Bailey as boyfriend-fantasists Laura Wilde and Debbie Fox; Nicole Noakes as Feargal’s Sister; Peggy Wheeler and Seren Foulds as cheerleading twins Kim and Mel Easton; and jocks Kirk, Billy, Lionel and Huey ably played by Freya Eastcott, Jacob Knock, Chloe Harman and Finn Crawford.

The dancers shone in their many show-stopping numbers which they performed with precision and pizzazz, while the orchestra – composed of pupils, parents, friends and teachers – delivered a fabulous sound track to the evening which was a credit to themselves, and the school.

Sackville is to be congratulated for a night of unapologetic, good-hearted fun which eventually saw the right guy get the girl – even if it was just at the Prom.

And what could be nicer than that?

Geraldine Durrant