Agenda item

Motion C

Proposer      Cllr Paton

Seconder     Cllr Weston

In accordance with Council Standing Order 25.1, notice is provided of the intention to suspend Council Standing Orders:13.1, 15.1 at the extraordinary Full Council on the 12^th of October 2026. This is to allow speeches/ presentations from the Haringey Youth Council on the key concerns of young people living in the borough. This will also allow Motion D set out below  to be  jointly seconded by Councillor Beverley Berrick and Councillor Fiona Orford- Williams.

Motion D – Supporting the Representation of the People Bill 2026: Extending the right to vote to 16- and 17-year-olds prior to the next UK parliamentary election and continuing to maintain and preserve the local democratic provision of the Youth Council

Proposer: Cllr Georgia Twigg

Joint Seconders: Cllr Beverley Berrick and Cllr Fiona Orford - Williams

The Council notes that

·      The last census the Council undertook indicated that there were over 59,000 under 19s in the Borough- out of an overall population of 261,000. This represents a significant proportion of Haringey’s population.

·      Young people have more of a stake in our borough’s future than any other community group. They will feel the impact of decisions made by politicians, councils and governments more than anyone else – and their opinion and liberty is as vital to democracy as residents 18 and above.

·         Evidence cited by supporters of the proposed legislation on lowering the voting age suggests that enabling participation at an earlier age may help establish lifelong voting habits and strengthen democratic engagement over time.

·         The Government's objective is to have the legislation in force before the next UK General Election, ensuring that newly enfranchised 16- and 17-year-olds can participate in that election.

·       Since 2022, The Council’s Youth Services team has undertaken work with schools, youth groups and established youth forums to recruit young people to an initial Youth Panel event. In 2024 the Youth Panel and the Elevated Youth SEND Forum was created with close ties developed between the two forums In October 2025, the Children’s Service successfully facilitated a youth council election process, leading to the formal establishment of a Youth Council. The positions elected were:

·        The Youth Leader : St Thomas More School,

·       Deputy Youth Leader: Latymer School,

·       Secretary (Admin & Governance) Park View School,

·       Secretary (Comms & Engagement) Fortismere School ,

·       Campaigns & Community Lead, Greig City Academy

-          Young residents who represent their community must continue to be heard by the Council especially when it comes to decisions that directly affect them now and in the future.

·       Only through genuine and meaningful consultation with young people and the Haringey Youth Council will the Council deliver policies catered to the needs and experience of young people and support them in a way they find productive.

·       Closer ties must be maintained between Elected Representatives and The Youth Council.

This Council resolves to:

1. Welcome the Government's commitment to extend voting rights to 16 and 17-year-olds through the Representation of the People Bill.

2. Support the principle that young people should be encouraged to participate in democratic processes and have opportunities to engage in local and national decision-making.

3. Continue to support democratic education, civic participation and voter engagement activity for young people across the borough.

4. Recognise the valuable contribution of the Haringey Youth Council and other youth forums in representing the views and experiences of young people. With the agreement of school governors and head teachers, this includes a commitment for a cross-party group of elected councillors to work together and themselves organise visits the borough’s secondary schools and 6th forms on an annual basis to promote engagement in democracy with year 9s and upwards, ensuring that these visits are at an appropriate time in the school year. The visits would be required to comply with required Member codes and protocols set out in the Council’s Constitution and with School procedures and protocols.

5. Request that officers monitor the progress of the legislation and provide advice to Members on the implications for the Council once the legislative framework and implementation arrangements are confirmed by Government.

6. Commit to supporting the Electoral Registration Officer in preparing for and implementing any changes arising from the legislation, including ensuring that appropriate resources are available to discharge any new statutory responsibilities.

7. Support engagement with schools, colleges, youth organisations, the Haringey Youth Council, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders to help ensure that young people are aware of their democratic rights and opportunities to participate.

8.      To continue to preserve the Youth Council and ensure it continues to be the voice of young people in the borough.

9.      To continue to support and facilitate future youth council elections in the borough.

10.  Continue to genuinely listen to young people and the Youth Council.

11.  Use the Youth Council as a valuable resource, seeking consultation in and outside of formal and Full Council meetings on issues relevant to young people where appropriate.

12.  Engage with the Youth Council, ensuring that senior decision-makers, such as Cabinet Members or senior council officers, meet with the Youth Council and to discuss matters of relevance.

Notes: The Representation of the People Bill is currently at Committee stage in the House of Lords [1].

Given the Bill is still before Parliament, we cannot be certain of the final detail of the legislation, however below is a summary based on the most recent explanatory note published in parliament[2].

Votes at 16: Representation of the People Bill 2026

The Bill would:

• Lower the voting age to 16 for UK Parliamentary elections, local elections in England and Northern Ireland, Police and Crime Commissioner elections and Northern Ireland Assembly elections.
• Allow eligible individuals to register from their 14th birthday.
• Introduce provisions to enable identity verification of young people.
• Introduce safeguards to protect the information of registered persons under the age of 16.
• Prevent individuals under 16 from appearing on the open register and restrict publication of their information.
• Expand declaration of local connection provisions for looked-after children and certain other young people.
• Place a duty on local authorities in Great Britain to raise awareness of registration arrangements and assist certain young people in their care to register to vote.
• Provide for further electoral registration reforms, including registration without application, data-sharing provisions and registration pilots.
• Require additional funding for local authorities to support implementation, including registration, canvassing, election delivery and public awareness activity.
• Require further regulations and commencement provisions before many elements of the Bill can take effect.