FOI Disclosure Log
Customer Request Details
14 February 2020
I would like to know the names on the Electoral roll for :-
99,Cannons Close,
Bishops Stortford,
Cm23 2BJ
For the last 8 years
East Herts Council Response
17 February 2020
Regarding your request for electoral data
Elections are conducted under a person known as The Returning Officer
The Returning Officer does not carry out the duties on behalf of the local authority but in their own personal capacity, as appointed under the Representation of the People Act 1983.
The Freedom of Information Act does not apply to Returning Officers.
This has been discussed at length by the Information Commissioner, for example in November 2015 in a case: https://ico.org.uk/media/action-weve-taken/decision-notices/2015/1560254/fs_50590815.pdf the Commissioner agreed that Returning Officers are not bound by the Freedom of Information Act, that they are completely separate from the council, and that information held by them is not held by the council.
The Returning Officer has, however, advised That copies of the current register may be viewed at our offices and archives of previous registers will be held at Hertfordshire county council.
The release of data by the returning officer of this information could also be viewed as releasing personal data and would be covered by the Data Protection act of 2018
If you have any queries or complaint about the processing of your request please do not hesitate to contact me.
Alternatively for more information on the Freedom of Information Act contact the Information Commissioner at:
Information Commissioners Office
Information Commissioners Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF