Electronic voting will be gradually re-introduced to full council meetings in Caerphilly almost four years after the technology was first installed.
Members supported a transition approach to electronic voting over the course of the next four full council meetings.
Initially one item from the report will be voted on electronically, but the use of the system would rise incrementally during the phased re-introduction period.
Councillor Barbara Jones, the deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, performance and governance, moved the recommendation, which was seconded by council leader Councillor David Poole.
She said: “The democratic services committee unanimously recommended to us that all meetings of full council should utilise the electronic voting system for all votes taken.”
Councillor Colin Mann, the leader of the opposition, said he welcomed the re-introduction of electronic voting but was in favour of an immediate implementation.
The Llanbradach councillor said: “A lot of us can’t believe it is beyond the wit of people to find the right button and press it, and why it has taken this long – who knows.
“I do welcome using the technology that has been put in front of us at quite a considerable cost and it is long overdue.
“I don’t honestly see why we need a transition period – it’s not rocket science to be able to press a button and I think it should come in straight away.”
Councillor Mike Davies added: “This has been going on for four years now and we are talking about four buttons.
“I don’t think members should be afraid of this – there’s going to be mistakes.
“There’s enough of a majority not to be afraid of this. The sooner we get used to it, the better.”
The equipment, which was installed following a £40,000 Welsh Government grant in 2014, consists of a microphone, an LCD display and buttons indicating ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘abstain’.
In order for the system to work, members would press an additional button to confirm their attendance and must sit in their allocated seat so their vote would be recorded against their name.
Prior to the decision, Caerphilly council held training sessions on how to use the electronic system with 44 members attending.
Excellent, I look forward to being able to see how my elected representatives actually vote. It should be extended immediately to all committee votes too.
I can’t believe what I am reading – we have elected Councillors who cannot choose between four buttons when voting electronically ???
It’s no wonder Caerphilly Council is a shambles !
If they cannot decide on which buttons to press then how on earth can we expect them to make important decisions on behalf of the electorate ?
Councillor Mann is right – there should be no delay in re-introducing the electronic voting system and for Councillor’s who are afraid of the system – stand down and give someone else a chance.
In fairmess I think most councillors will have no problem with pressing the right button, or at least the button they have chosen!. The tedious objections are all to do with the electorate being able to see who voted for what. During my time as a councillor I wanted all votes recorded and made public. This was unpopular with other councilors and was never done. I stand by every vote I made over five years and have no issue with my voting decision being made public.
Again the cost 40k then take 4yrs to introduce why??? Well it could be that most councillors are over 55 and brains are a bit slow and confusing so I do understand the transition.
Probably the best thing is red amber and green colours most councillors drive.
And there’s not much confusion when it comes to financial benefits to all councillors all can add and then fabricate what is claimed.
Thats a very ageist remark you have made there Jack. Assuming that all people over 55 are not computer litrate. Like Richard I believe its all about councillors not wanting the public to see what they are voting for. The snowflake generation can not handle the truth neither do they accept or are tolerant of views of others. Councillors should be open and transparant. That way the we as the electrate can see what our councillors are doing on our behalf. Becareful about assuming things Jack we all know what assume means.
Take as you like Edward most councillors are over that age group if they need 4 yrs to get use to it ” four buttons” then there must be something wrong.
What a waste of money 40k or do you think its good money spent.
I agree with you, but i dont think its because of their age more to do with not wanting the residents of Caerphilly to know how they vote or dont vote when its made public. But another reason and more worrying is the fact they may have wasted money on system which is not set up right, thus causing confuse. We all know the council always pick the cheaper option to save money, take the those plastic kerb stones.
Well you could be right if they have gone with the cheaper option they may have pocket the rest of the money.
Edward how old is cllr dave pool most of the cabinet are older probably need help.
Like you said let’s keep all voting and every thing else secret not for us.
I think i have answered this below, either that or you arent very good at discussing things.