Email from Chairman of EDA to Chairman and Vice-Chairman of EDDC Overview and Scrutiny Committee

I have written this evening to the Chairman of the O&S Committee, Cllr Tim Wood, and copied to his deputy, Cllr Graham Troman. My letter reads:

Dear Councillor Wood

I am a council tax payer living in East Devon, and my full details are below. I write to you in your role as Chairman of the EDDC Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

I would be grateful if you could answer the following questions urgently, as they relate to an event of unusual local concern on Monday in Westminster as well as to Full Council next Wednesday, when I and others will ask about your Chief Executive’s dismissal of sincere concerns put to him in July’s public question time by Mr Paul Freeman. I was in attendance, and can confirm that the minutes are correct, and that Mr Williams did tell Mr Freeman to get his facts right …

You will be aware that Mr Williams’ appearance before the Select Committee has only just become public knowledge, and that EDDC has given such an interesting occasion on the national stage no publicity at all. I and many others have to be grateful for the vigilance of other local people for any knowledge of this, and even the four district councillors I have asked about it had not been told.

Please advise:

1. If/when the Overview and Scrutiny Committee was appraised of the missing voters and lack of canvassing in the East Devon District.

2. If/when the Overview and Scrutiny Committee was made aware of the Returning Officer’s appearance before the Parliamentary Select Committee on voter engagement

3. If/when this matter will come before the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for discussion.

4. If it is not the intention of the Committee to bring this matter forward, please confirm this.

Yours faithfully,
Paul Arnott
cc Vice Chairman O&S Committee, Cllr G Troman.
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Posted by

transparencyforeastdevon

Posted on

8 Oct 2014

Posted under

Democracy, EDDC, Voting

Responsibilities of Returning Officers

Click to access EPE-LGE-Part-A-Returning-Officer-role-and-responsibilities.pdf

2.8 While you can appoint one or more persons to discharge any or all of your functions, you cannot delegate your personal responsibility for delivering the election. Further information on the appointment of deputies can be found in Part B – Planning and organisation.

2.9 You are also subject to breach of official duty provisions. This means that if you or your appointed deputies are, without reasonable cause, guilty of any act or omission in breach of official duty you (and/or they) are liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £5,000.