Rules governing by-elections for police and crime commissioners defy common sense, an elections expert has said. A by-election is due in the West Midlands on 21 August following the sudden death this month of commissioner Bob Jones (Lab). But John Turner, chief executive of the Association of Electoral Administrators, told LGC the August by-election date could see an ever lower turnout as many voters would be on holiday. “The law about commissioner by-elections is pretty rigid – they must be held within 35 days of two electors requesting a poll, and that is why we have ended up with an election in the depths of August,” he said. “There might be a very low turnout and there needs to be a change to make sure this does not happen again and that the law makes allowance for common sense.” Mr Jones was a councillor at Wolverhampton City Council from 1980- 2013, holding numerous posts, and was chair of the former Association of Police Authorities 2005-09. Police and crime commissioner elections became notorious for low turnouts when first held in November 2012. Only 12.3% voted in West Midlands. Meanwhile, another anomaly in the law concerning police and crime commissioners has seen Norfolk’s Stephen Bett (Ind) back at work after it was discovered he could not step down temporarily during an expenses investigation. Mr Bett said in a statement: “When I heard about the Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation I took what I believe was the right decision and temporarily stepped aside from my post with immediate effect.” But Norfolk’s police and crime panel – which includes local authority representatives – said there was no legislative basis for Mr Bett to take temporary leave of absence or to delegate powers to his deputy, as he had intended. The panel also found it had no power to appoint an acting commissioner. Mr Bett said: “It is obvious to me that there is a grey area within the legislation when it comes to a PCC stepping aside or taking a leave of absence and legal opinion seems to differ. “It is abundantly clear to me that unless I return to full duties there is a significant likelihood of a protracted and expensive legal wrangle and I am not prepared to burden the Norfolk taxpayer with a substantial legal bill.” Read the original feature on the LGCPlus website:
Posted on: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 07:06:34 +0000
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