A MALVERN Town Councillor has claimed the registration process to become a councillor has been made harder.
Mike Charles said the registration documents to be re-elected could not be posted and had to be given in by hand.
But, after making a special trip into the centre of Malvern, he arrived to find the council house, on Avenue Road, all locked up.
Coun Charles said he rang the bell and waited for a long time but no one came.
After he returned home and rang the office, he claimed he was told it was locked because no staff were there and he would have to make and appointment to drop them off for the following week.
Coun Charles added: “It has become very difficult for someone to register to become a councillor.
“It is a public building and we cannot even get into our own building.
“This is obviously not right – I should not have to make an appointment.
“In previous years I have just walked into the main building and handed it in.
“I have been a councillor for 20 years and I have never had problems handing in registration documents before.”
Chief Executive Jack Hegarty said they were sorry Coun Charles was unable to deliver his registration papers.
But, the papers did clearly state they were not to be delivered until after March 23, as this was the start of the nomination process.
He added: “The council house is not a public facing building and hasn’t been for many years.
“This is very clear on the building when you arrive.
“All candidates need to make an appointment so we can check their application forms to ensure they’re done correctly.
“This ensures there is no going back and fourth on the forms and saves time in the long run.
“This has been the process for a long time.”
