Kerswell chooses to go “in-house” and count the scenes at Fisher’s Folly

The count for three of Croydon’s parliamentary constituencies after voting closes in the general election on July 4 will take place at the council’s offices in Fisher’s Folly, it has been decided.

Crystal Palace: Fisher’s Folly is, at least, a more accessible place

It will be the first time the office building, sometimes referred to as Bernard Wetherill House, has been used for an election count since it opened more than a decade ago.

The conduct of Croydon’s election count will come under particular scrutiny following the notoriously slow and poorly managed counting of votes in the May 2022 local elections, which has led to some harsh criticism of Katherine Kerswell, the council’s chief executive, who tens of thousands of pounds in his pocket. extra each election as district president director.

Candidates and their electoral agents were informed yesterday of the choice of seat.

“I am writing to confirm that the Croydon East, Croydon South and Croydon West constituencies will be Croydon Council’s offices at Bernard Weatherill House, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon, CR0 1EA,” wrote Seth Aker, the council’s head of elections. Services.

In recent years, the council has rented halls and gyms at Trinity Private School in Shirley Park, but it was decided after the disaster in May 2022 not to return there. One of the problems encountered in the overcount two years ago was that Kerswell failed to anticipate that the process would take so long and failed to reserve school rooms to be used as counts – for the district’s executive mayor and 70 year old. counselors – laid on a fourth day.

The desk: The July 4 and 5 election count for Croydon East, Croydon West and Croydon South may have to take place on more than one floor of Fisher’s Folly

The Fairfield Halls have been used in the past for election counts, but are not available on July 4 and 5 this year due to other events already booked.

There are some reservations about the suitability of Fisher’s Folly as a counting site. As an office building, it is not as spacious on each floor as the alternatives, and several floors in the building are leased to commercial tenants, making it not entirely safe for election purposes.

There are also questions about the facilities available to the hundreds of staff, candidates, their teams and the media: Fisher’s Folly first became notorious for having gold-plated taps and leaky sinks in the toilets.

There will also be a need to provide refreshments for participants working at night.

Fisher’s Folly however has the advantage of being in the center of town and is much more easily accessible for many people than Trinity School and also has plenty of parking available.

Perhaps most important of all for cash-strapped Croydon council: the costs of using the council’s own premises will be far less than renting another site.

The count for Croydon’s other constituencies, Streatham and Croydon North, is run by Lambeth Council.

Read more: Criticism of Kerswell’s election numbers is “justified”, the report says
Read more: From bankruptcy to laughing stock as the council count continues
Read more: Eyes! Eyes! The £144m cost of Council offices is eye-catching

For more information on where to vote on the 4th of July and the full list of people running for election in your constituency, use our widget here:

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