SAVE MONEY BY HAVING ONE ELECTION FOR ALL LOCAL COUNCILLORS AT THE SAME TIME!

Just as important as the lack of democracy and accountability - there is also the financial burden of holding three separate yearly elections for only one third of the councillors at any one time, especially during these times of massive cuts to public services.

On Thursday 7th May 2015 there will be two elections held across the country - providing our local councillors with the usual opportunities of diverting public discontent away from the closures of libraries, children's centres and other facilities across the borough by focusing attention instead upon the General Election.

It is MPs who have the high profile and who are well known to the public. It is the national issues that dominate the reports of the media. 

However, most of our politicians are councillors and it is these local politicians who take many of the decisions that affect our community.

Yet many councillors remain in the background, avoiding public scrutiny and accountability, saying very little - only briefly seeking the public's attention when it is their year to stand for re-election - and relying upon their party label and the party organisation to return them to power!

As most of our politicians are councillors - and as only one third of them are ever up for election at the any time - it is very difficult for voters to hold these "elected representatives" to account for their actions during their time in office.

Also, since all elected councillors serve a four-year term of office, surely it would make financial sense to elect them all at the same time - in one election held separately from any other?

I wrote to Tameside Council on 15 January 2014 asking them to provide - under the Freedom of Information Act - information regarding the cost of a local election?

The reply - given weeks later and as reported on this blog on 20th March 2014 - was that Tameside Council did not hold this information and that, under election law, the conduct of local elections is the responsibility of the Returning Officer who is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and therefore under no obligation to provide the information I requested.

Undeterred, on 15th July 2014, I wrote the following letter to Stephen Pleasant, the Tameside Chief Executive and Returning Officer:

Dear Mr Pleasant,

In respect of your role as Returning Officer for Tameside, I am
writing to ask if you would please be kind enough to provide me with
information regarding the total cost of holding the 2014 Local
Government Elections throughout the nineteen wards of the borough.

Specifically, I should like to know how much it cost:

(1) To print all the notices of the poll and enough ballot papers
for every voter on the electoral register?
(2) To send out the postal vote to those who have applied for it
and the polling cards to every home in the borough?
(3)The cost of manning the polling stations across the borough for
the whole of polling day and the agents employed at the Count?
(4) The cost of policing and security at the count i.e identification badges for
staff and all attending?

I would be extremely grateful for any information regarding the above!

Many thanks,

Carl Simmons

Needless to say, I am still awaiting a response from Mr Pleasant! 

Carl Simmons

Denton South Independent

Saturday, 10th January 2015