This afternoon the last item of business was to consider proposals from residents for the Council to submit to the LGA for the new Sustainable Communities Act. One group of young people came with an exciting proposal for BANES to the lead the way and become a pilot for STV elections based on two member wards with bi-ennial elections , reducing the voting age to 16 and setting up a citizen power of recall. This was aimed at restoring trust in democracy and re-engaging young people in democracy.

Whilst I did not agree with every detail of their suggestion the idea of Local Government moving to STV as in Scotland is great and reducing the voting age is also a must. I think their recall idea needs working on as I think it has got mixed up with the reprehensible behaviour of some MPs in Westminster. Talking of which when will any of them face fraud charges for claiming for non-existent mortgages?

This was part of the Make my Vote Count campaign and it deserves consideration. I shall try to ensure that the decision on which scheme to submit to the LGA is taken in a public Cabinet meeting and not behind closed doors.