Fao Angela Jones

Further to your requests for information about recent election in Penyrheol;

1. The decision to not send out polling cards was not made at a Town Council meeting. Details of election date were reported to Council in advance of the election at end November 2022.

The Clerk made the final decision based upon the anticipated cost of election with/without polling cards, in knowledge that candidates would be going around the ward electioneering prior to the voting day. In addition Swansea Council had advised the anticipated cost of the election to be met by Town Council would be £4000+ and considerably less if polling cards were not sent out. Decision taken in order to save Tax payers money, no polling cards would be issued, but that election would be promoted on social media, 5 Public Notice boards around the community, and door/door electioneering.
The Clerk informally sought views of senior Members and , and advised Swansea Council election section that polling cards would not be required in an attempt to keep costs down.

2. Town Clerk made final decision not to send out polling cards, following seeking views of senior members.

3. Clerk consulted election dept Swansea Council and was advised that it was the Town Councils decision whether or not to send out polling cards.

Regards

John Millard Town Clerk

From: "Angela Jones" <[FOI #947397 email]>
Sent: Thursday, February 9, 2023 9:20am
To: "FOI requests at Gorseinon Town Council, Swansea" <[Gorseinon Town Council, Swansea request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - By-Election, November 2022

Dear Gorseinon Town Council, Swansea,

I write about a Freedom of Information request on a recent by-election at Penyrheol, and would be grateful if you could provide me with the following information.

1. Was the decision to not send out paper polling cards made at a Gorseinon Town Council meeting? If so, please provide the minutes and voting record.

2. Who made the decision not to send out paper polling cards? Please provide the names of councillors and officials involved in this decision.

3. What was the legal basis of this decision? Please provide the advice you were given by the returning officer at Swansea City Council.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Yours faithfully,

Angela Jones

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