Memorandum by Congleton Borough Council
(PVF 21)
I refer to your letter dated 14 June 2004 passed
on to me by Sir Harold Bernstein, Regional Returning Office for
the North West. My responses are as follows:
GENERAL
1. My staff experienced considerable problems
because the government were late publishing the necessary statutory
instruments.
2. Yes problems did occur, due to the short
time scale for close of nominations and delivery of postal votes.
Data had to be transferred to the printing company, ballot papers
had to be checked etc etc. Well too short.
3. Not so much skills but staff resources
were extremely stretched, which meant many people working 12-15
hours per day.
4. No.
PRINTING AND
DISSEMINATION
5. Unable to answer this question. This
Council used a company called OPT 2 VOTE who were responsible
for printing of ballot papers.
6. Not that I am aware.
7. They seemed to cope quite adequately.
8. (a) Due to the lateness of receiving
ballot papers we would have delivered to all multiple occupied
premises. However this did not take place. Hand delivery was made
on requests received and replacements approximately 90.
9. (a) None.
VOTING PRACTICALITIES
AND RETURNS
10. (a) Yes.
11. (a) 240
(b)
0.91% incorrectly completed. 0.2.4% voters'
signature, 0.48% witness, 0.19%, both witness and signature.
12. Yes.
13. N/A.
COST AND
RESOURCES
14. (a) Yes.
15. Approximately £150,000
16. N/A.
I hope the aforementioned information will be
of assistance to you.
Nick Shatwell
For Returning Officer
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