(From the Electoral Reform Services)
Richard Halsall
Tamworth Borough Council
Marmion House
Lichfield Street
Tamworth
Birmingham
B79 7BZ
24th July 2007
Dear Mr Halsall,
TAMWORTH BOROUGH COUNCIL – HOUSING TRANSFER BALLOT
The report of voting in the above ballot, which closed at 12 Noon on Monday 23rd July 2007, is as follows:
QUESTION
Are you in favour of the Council’s proposal to transfer the ownership & management of its housing to Tamworth Community Gateway?
Tenants
Total number eligible 5,773
Total number of ballot papers received 3,634
Overall rate of participation 62.9%
Total number of spoilt/blank ballot papers 11
Therefore, total number of valid votes counted 3,623
Result
Number voting YES 1,576 (43.5% of the valid vote)
Number voting NO 2,047 (56.5% of the valid vote)
TOTAL 3,623 (100% of the valid vote)
Tolerated Trespassers
Total number eligible 159
Total number of ballot papers received 59
Overall rate of participation 37.1%
Total number of spoilt/blank ballot papers 0
Therefore, total number of valid votes counted 59
Result
Number voting YES 23 (39% of the valid vote)
Number voting NO 36 (61% of the valid vote)
TOTAL 59 (100% of the valid vote)
ERS received letters from five tenants expressing a wish to change their vote. The original votes remain valid, however, these requests are hereby duly noted.
Ballot papers will be stored securely for six months before being destroyed.
Yours sincerely
Max Farrell
Project Manager
The Result!
As it was received by Tamworth Borough Council from The Electoral Reform Society.
In the end it was a convincing vote against transfer. But nobody can pretend to me that this was anything like a balanced or fair campaign. The fall-out from this will be reverberating through Tamworth Council for some years to come. Certainly my perception of Tamworth Politics has changed - and not for the good.
