A COUNCIL which courted controversy earlier this year by not issuing polling cards for a by-election has decided not to apologise for the decision.

In August, Woodstock Town Council decided to save approximately £1,000 by not issuing the card to its 2,500 residents.

The council publicised the election on its website, on the Town Hall door and on notice boards around the town. But critics said by not issuing cards some voters did not know it was happening.

On Tuesday night, a motion was put forward by councillor Tony Gardiner for the council to apologise for the decision.

The motion said the decision was lawful and taken for “very legitimate” cost-saving reasons, but said that “in hindsight and with a broader view” it was “an error”.

It said this error had “disenfranchised” voters and the council wished to apologise “unreservedly” for this.

It was rejected by a vote of four for, nine against.

Mr Gardiner said he was “disappointed” by the council’s decision.

He said: “I had representation from some of my neighbours, who are normally very active, and they said they didn’t know there was an election.

He added: “I think this is partly a question of morality – do you think it was a mistake not to issue polling cards and, if you do, would you be willing to make an apology?”

He said the law allowing councils to choose whether or not to issue polling cards was a “bad law” and hoped that the council would issue cards in the future.

But town mayor Julian Cooper said: “The council did not feel that it had to apologise for the difficult financial situation it found itself in.”

He insisted the council did publicise the election, but said that if candidates had wanted to publicise it more it was up to them to produce the material, not the council.

The by-election, which took place on September 9 to replace Gerald Myatt, was won by councillor Linda Glees.

She said: “It is basically the responsibility of the candidates to cover the territory, to make people aware that the election is taking place.

“I feel very strongly that due process in local democracy is highly important, but appropriate process was followed, it was debated very carefully indeed at the time, and the council has nothing to apologise for.”

Woodstock Town Council’s budget states this financial year will see an income of £191,523, but a loss of £25,036.

The by-election saw 494 votes from an electorate of 2,445, a turnout of 20 per cent.