Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Electoral Commission We are contacting Mrs Briggs to ensure that staff working at Rutland County Council are giving the correct information

Electoral Commission  We are contacting Mrs Briggs to ensure that staff working at Rutland County Council are giving the correct information.

I felt I needed to raise the issue of misinformation given by Rutland County Council staff
to prospective candidates who wanted to stand here in Oakham.

The reason was due to the length of time I had to wait to collect two packs, which I had phoned
ahead for. I arranged to collect them one day after lunch last week. I had to wait over 30 minutes.
20 minutes of that standing in a short que whilst hanging on the phone to the council enquirers team.

Later in the week I learnt people had been sent away empty handed and I thought if those people who were directed to the town council had experienced such a long wait and visited Oakham Town Council only to be sent back to Rutland County Council they may not have such patience and give
up the process frustrated.

This is the response from The Electoral Commission at a national level notice no response
from Mrs Briggs and Co's friend at our regional office who just for their comfort also happens
to work in the local government ombudsman's office.

We are contacting Mrs Briggs to ensure that staff working at Rutland County Council are giving the correct information to people requesting nomination papers. 

While it is common practice for nomination packs to additionally be made available to parish councils, the Notice of Election for the parishes published by the Returning Officer clearly states that nomination packs are available from the Rutland County Council offices.


Kind regards


Adrian Green
Regional Manager, London & South West
The Electoral Commission



Advice and Guidance Line: 0333 103 1928

Advice and Guidance Email: infoengland@electoralcommission.org.uk