The police and crime commissioner behind the UK’s first council tax referendum has hit out at the ‘unfair’ wording of the ballot, saying the rules were an ‘affront to democracy’.
The majority of residents in Bedfordshire voted ‘no’ in the referendum, which was called after PCC Olly Martins proposed a 15.8% increase in the amount taxpayers pay towards policing.
However, Martins has now said the referendum question and the information provided to taxpayers were ‘inadequate’ and is calling for an urgent review of referendum regulations.
He said: ‘The question set by the Government on the ballot papers failed to mention what the cash amount of the increase was. Furthermore, it created the misleading impression that the percentage rise was on the whole of the council tax.’
Martins added that many ‘frustrated’ residents had complained to him about the wording of the question, saying it prevented them making an informed decision.
He said: ‘The unfairness of the process is not just to me or the police force I am responsible for, but also clearly to the public who were not in a position to make an informed decision, where they had the facts by which they could weigh the benefits of a "Yes" against the diminished service resulting from a "No" vote.’
The question on the ballot paper read:
Part of the council tax in your area goes to the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner. For the financial year beginning on 1st April 2015 the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner has set an increase of 15.8% in the amount it charges.
If most voters choose ‘YES', the increase will be 15.8%.
If most voters choose ‘NO', the increase will be 2.0% instead.
Do you want the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner to increase the amount it charges by 15.8%? YES NO
Visit The MJ (£) to find out from Martins why he triggered the first ever referendum.
