GMB Congress calls on Electoral Reform Society’s Civica to insist on fair and independent ballots on demolition of homes on council estates
Their good reputation for expertise and professionalism is being jeopardised due to problems with the estate demolition ballot process and they should seek to be part of the solution says GMB Congress.
Their good reputation for expertise and professionalism is being jeopardised due to problems with the estate demolition ballot process and they should seek to be part of the solution says GMB Congress.
On estates facing demolition in 2018 Congress debated and welcomed the introduction of ballots by the Mayor of London, but called for a number of loopholes to be closed and for fair rules to stop ballot sponsors from exploiting these loopholes and the lack of clear rules. Congress then called for fair rules to be laid down clearly in writing, agreed upon and adopted by all stakeholders and also made mandatory.
At Brighton this week Congress was told of recent demolition ballots where fair rules have been lacking, and second ballots have been used to overturn overwhelming votes by residents to reject demolition.
Congress was told of unfairness by way of exclusion of some residents, of a lack of concise information from promoters of estate demolitions plus incentives for residents which may have helped to encourage a yes vote.
Sadly in one case in Camden Civica was involved.
Congress called for this practice to stop and in addition called on the Electoral Reform Society and its balloting arm Civica to be part of the solution to get fair and independent ballots.
Peter Roberts, GMB London Region Political Officer said:
“On Tuesday 6th June, Congress called on the Electoral Reform Society’s Civica to use its vast expertise and reputation to ensure that all stakeholders must agree on a fair ballot process, with mutually agreed and adopted rules, without prejudice or misinformation, enabling a ballot to conclude with a majority decision that must be final whatever the outcome.
“Congress called for Civica to boycott ballots where ballot promoters do not follow the rules. They must also refuse to get involved in second ballots to overturn the first ballot outcome against demolition. They should have done so in the Autumn 2022 when an estate in Camden was threatened with demolition for a second time after an overwhelming first vote against.
“Congress called on ERS and Civica to recognise that their good reputation for expertise and professionalism is being jeopardised due to problems with the estate demolition ballot process. Instead they should seek to be part of the solution.
“Congress called for councils, housing associations and Civica to recognise that these are people’s homes, not investment opportunities that deny local and longstanding residents affordable and secure accommodation in London. Residents’ wishes must be respected whichever way the ballot goes.”
For more information please contact: Peter Roberts, GMB London Political Officer on 079 5726 6460
Text of the motion
ELECTORAL REFORM SERVICES SHOULD NOT BE INVOLVED WITH UNFAIR BALLOTS ON SOCIAL HOUSING ESTATES DEMOLITION
This Congress is very concerned that Civica - formerly Electoral Reform Balloting Services and used by unions for internal elections and industrial action ballots, is now involved in estate ballots for residents on estates facing demolition where the ground rules for the ballot are unfair and completely lacking in safeguards to stop unfair interference in the balloting process.
Congress has very clear policies to support residents on estates facing demolition and has called for the Labour Party and elected councillors and mayors to establish fair rules for ballots for residents to vote on plans for the future of their homes. Congress has welcomed the introduction of ballots by the Mayor of London but called for loopholes to be closed and fair rules to be made mandatory.
However, on the ground experience has demonstrated the lack of such fair rules in practice. It has also seen second ballots following in a very short period overwhelming votes by residents to reject demolition. In these ballots the promoters of demolition have been able to interfere in the balloting process with incentives for a yes vote. There has also been a complete lack of information about what the regeneration means for residents and a one-sided process of expert advice to the residents. Some residents have been excluded from the ballot- according to the promoters of demolition on the advice of Civica.
The involvement of the Electoral Reform Services and its subsidiary Civica in such unfair ballots is unworthy of them.
Congress calls on the Board of the Electoral Reform Services to engage with residents on estates facing demolition and with them and councils and housing associations draw up ground rules for fair ballots and safeguards to stop unfair interference in these ballots. Congress calls for the Electoral Reform Society to insist that councils and Housing Associations should follow these rules and where Civica is conducting the ballot it should enforce them.
Congress calls on The Electoral Reform Services to boycott ballots where ballot promoters do not follow the rules. They should also refuse to get involved in second ballots to overturn the first ballot against demolition as they should have done in an estate threatened with demolition in Camden in the Autumn 2022.
