Secrecy over voting could change, says chairman

The veil of secrecy over how each councillor votes at Herefordshire Council meetings may soon be lifted, according to chairman Sebastian Bowen.

Because council meetings are currently held online there is no way for the public to know how each member votes on decisions.

In normal times, members of the public and press can still see how councillors vote as they raise their hands in the council chamber to do so.

But meetings are currently held online and broadcast via Youtube due to the coronavirus restrictions.

And the council says the computer software it uses to record votes does not log which way each individual councillor votes — it simply shows the total number of votes for, against or abstentions.

However, councillors can call for a named vote whenever one is taken.

Councillor Jonathan Lester suggested the council should have a named vote on all decisions until they find a better arrangement for recording votes at meetings.

“I must protest. We have just undertaken inadvertently to secret ballots when voting,” he said during today’s (March 5) full council meeting.

“In response to the press article about voting intentions, and the way there seems to be some confusion as to who votes in what way.

“I would urge us to have a named vote on all our votes until this matter can be resolved.

“I don’t wish to make a big issue about it, but there seems to be an issue with the integrity of the council if there is a question mark about how people are voting.”

Chairman Bowen said he would take up councillor Lester’s concerns with council officers.

“We will come to some agreement and arrangement on that in the future.

“Just for today we will carry on as we are and I don’t think there is anything particularly controversial matters causing hackles to be raised anywhere.”