§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister which local authorities have applied to participate in the May 2003 electoral pilot programme; and which type of programme they have applied for, in each case. [87464]
865W
§ Mr. LeslieSixty three applications to hold an electoral pilot scheme at the May 2003 local elections have been received. My right hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich issued on 17 December 2002 a written statement which lists the 41 applications which have been accepted, relating to non e-voting pilot schemes.
A further 20 applications were submitted by councils wishing to run e-voting pilots. As set out in the prospectus that we published in September, the successful applicants for e-voting pilots will be announced in January. The 20 applicants for e-voting pilots schemes is tabled as follows:
E-Voting—Total: 20
- Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
- Chester City Council
- Chorley Borough Council
- East Northamptonshire Council
- Epping Forest District Council
- Ipswich Borough Council
- Kerrier District Council
- Malvern Hills District Council
- Norwich City Council
- Rushmoor Borough Council
- Sheffield City Council
- Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council
- South Somerset District Council
- South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council
- St Albans City and District Council
- Stratford-on-Avon District Council
- Stroud District Council
- Swindon Borough Council
- Vale Royal Borough Council
- Waveney District Council
The applications submitted by Nottingham City Council (dual early-postal and traditional voting pilot) and by Mid-Suffolk District Council (all-postal pilot in three wards only) have not been accepted at this stage. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister officials will be in discussion with those authorities to consider whether revised applications can be put forward.