ROSS-on-Wye Town Council has defended its position in not sending out polling cards for the recent by election.

In August the town council did not send out polling cards for the by-election in two wards on the grounds of cost.

Councillor Julian Utting pointed out that Ross Town Council had not funded polling cards for the previous two by-elections before the August by-election.

At the town council’s recent meeting Cllr Daniel Lister said that he wasn’t concerned what had happened historically and added: “I would like to know how a decision was made by this council over not paying for polling cards for this by-election, and by whom?

“This decision should have been presented to full council, so everybody knew what was going on”

Cllr Utting said: “Not one of us has previously questioned this decision when budgets are set for the following year. It is a collective responsibility.”

The town council also heard how the decision not to send out polling cards was made.

Cllr Utting explained that he had a ‘corridor meeting’ with the clerk, as there was no time to have a proper formal meeting.

“We effectively had no choice but to follow the budget decision, which didn’t include the costs of producing polling cards,” he said.

Jennifer Sayer tol the council during public questions: “I know so many people who did not know a by-election was taking place because they hadn’t received a polling card.”

Cllr Milly Boylan said that she felt there was widespread disappointment in Ross over the lack of polling cards and added: “It was concerning in the way people were informed about the election.

“If you get a polling card through the letter box you are made aware than an election is taking place. However, I don’t think it’s enough for local democracy to work if you don’t use social media or read the local newspaper.

“The public notification about the lack of polling cards was only made five days before the by-election. I believe not having polling cards was a real blow to democracy. I thought the whole scenario was shambolic.”

New independent councillor Saskia Harrison said that she had to go out and re-knock-on doors to tell people that polling cards would not be issued and advised them to turn up at the polling station.

Also newly elected Richard McEvoy of Reform UK said having lobbied electoral services at Herefordshire Council that the authority will now change its policies and process over the issuing of polling cards.”

Cllr Bev Pope responded: “I congratulate you on this as the process should have been implemented before.”

Cllr Utting pointed out that the conduct of all elections in Herefordshire is the legal duty of the county council’s electoral services and added: “Ross Town Council is not involved in the election process.

“However, the town council may agree, or not agree, to fund the printing of polling cards.”

Cllr Chris Bartrum said that it wasn’t necessary to establish a new councillor vacancy procedure as in future if a by-election is called then the decision in having polling cards, or not, comes before full council.

The council agreed that in future if a by-election is to be staged, a meeting will be had to establish if it was going to fund polling cards or not.