Completely agree Denise -closing a large school especially as there will probably be very few voters anyway. I myself find it difficult to vote in this election. I don't have any information about the candidates (other than Cons/Labour etc. ) Who are they ? What are their backgrounds?What are their aims or priorities?

Town: AIM

There was an article in this weeks Observer about them all. It didn't say a huge amount, but at least I know their names now!

Town: Ashton

Well here is my reply from Wigan Council :

Hi Denise,
The Returning Officer/ Local Returning Officer who is responsible for the conduct of the election, has the right to use all schools maintained or assisted by a local education authority as polling stations.

Schools across the Borough are used as they are often known by the community, meet Disability Discrimination Act compliances, and are cost effective in comparison to private premises.


Without the use of schools as polling stations the Returning Officer/ Local Returning Officer would not be able to provide adequate polling stations which he/she has a statutory duty to provide.


Schools can still be kept open on polling days provided that the polling station is isolated from the school and has its own entrance.

Regards,

Oliver Hesk - Electoral Services Officer
Democratic Services, Resources Directorate
Wigan Council, Town Hall, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1YN
01942 827069 (internal 2069)

I have asked if under the Freedom of information Act i can find out how many people actually used RL Hughes to vote.

Denise

Town: Ashton

well said oliver.

Town: ashton

Only 11.42% turnout in Wigan - sounds like a friends and family election.

Town: AIM

I voted but only on the last minute and on one point only.

I wanted to vote but didn't see the point if I knew nothing about it
and I didn't have the time to read up on "How to be a ....".

I voted really against the possibility of the privatisation of parts of the police force.

I do think that the lack of turn out was because of lack of info. and not knowing what the whole process was for.

Town: Stubshaw Cross

For the first time since becoming eligible to vote I chose not to in these particular elections. My reasons included many of those cited by other non-voters: lack of readily-accessible information about the role, candidate selection process and candidate policies. But mainly a belief that the scheme is just a ruse by the Conservative/LibDem government to (a) further reduce local government powers and(b) avoid its own responsibilities for ensuring an effective and adequately-resourced police service.

Town: Ashton

Well I got my reply - only 72 people voted at RL Hughes - what a disgrace to disrupt the largest primary school in Ashton for such a waste of time !

I asked if the council would compensate parents for lost time and not surprisingly the answer was no !

They have said the Head has asked for the use of RL Hughes to be reconsidered - too little too late as far as I am concerned. I have been against the closure of schools for a long time and indeed posted on this point a while ago and was vilified by someone who was obviously a teacher about them not being baby sitters and i restate my answer that they are not teachers if there are no pupils teach!

Denise

Town: Ashton

Thank you Denise-it would be interesting to know the overall cost of these votes.

Town: AIM

Other suitable building close to RL Hughes to be considered for polling stations are Grey Road Diamond Club, Ashton Library and Ashton Town Hall on Bryn Street. All have disabled access so would all comply with DDA. All would be better than closing the School.