Management Information Sheet

On May 7th there will be General and District Council elections. Your school may or may not be used for polling that day, but I need to make you aware of the possibility that you will be approached by a candidate or a political party asking to use your school's meeting space for an election meeting. This right only extends to Maintained, Foundation and Voluntary Aided schools.

Officers in the District Councils who run elections must have a list of such premises. We have supplied the District Councils with a link to the "Schools Finder" page on our website so that if they are approached they can provide the candidate with the information they are entitled to. Candidates using a room cannot be charged for its hire, but are required to meet expenses incurred in the use of the room including restoring it to its usual condition after the meeting, and should any damage be done to the room the cost of this must also be met.

Use of a room has to be granted provided:

• reasonable notice is given
• the booking does not interfere with the use of the room for educational purposes
• prior agreement for the letting of the room has not been made

There limited grounds for refusal and rather than go into great detail here, we will explain this further if a request is made. It should also be noted that candidates are not entitled to use a room outside of the constituency or electoral area if a suitable room exists within the constituency or electoral area for which they are nominated candidates.

What to do if you are approached?

Candidates wishing to use rooms in schools may make application directly to the County Council, however, they may approach you directly.

• If you are a Head of a maintained school, and approached directly with a request for use of your meeting space please contact Janine Birt in Children's Services who will then liaise with you over the request: 01603 223905; janine.birt@norfolk.gov.uk.
• In the case of Foundation and Voluntary Aided schools, a request should come directly to you and you should refer it to your governing body which is responsible for making the decision. We will, of course, be very happy to provide guidance if required, so please do not hesitate to contact Janine in the first instance. If a request is made directly to the County Council, such applications will be referred to you for consideration by your governing body.

Finally, there is small likelihood of your school being used, but it is best to be prepared for the possibility.