Accusations that it is in breach of purdah rules have been lodged against Wokingham Borough Council (WBC). 

The Wokingham Labour Group (WLG) made the claims after the council published a press release which praised its leadership in responding to the climate emergency, through its Climate Emergency Action Plan, and outlined its nomination for two MJ local government achievement awards. 

Purdah is the term used to describe the period of time immediately before elections or referendums when specific restrictions on communications activity are in place. 

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WLG believes that the council is in breach of a specific rule which states that 'a local authority shall not publish any material which, in whole or in part, appears to be designed to affect public support for a political party'.

The groups campaign coordinator Andy Croy said: “WBC's response to the Climate Emergency has clearly been the subject of considerable local political controversy in council, in election material and the local media and a press release on this topic is, quite frankly, impossible to make.  

"Labour councillors and candidates are campaigning on the inadequacies of the plan and the WBC response, while the Conservatives think it's great - and it is the Conservative view that is mirrored in this release.  

“The normal business of WBC will not be impacted by releasing the same press release on May 6.” 

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The pre-election period usually begins six weeks before polling day – this year it begins on March 21.

Between then and the polls closing at 10pm on May 5, councils cannot make any decisions which could influence or prejudice the outcome of either their own elections or others taking place at the same time. 

When approached, the council leader, Cllr John Halsall (Conservative), didn’t directly address the accusation of breaching the rules but said: “We are very proud that we have been nominated for these prestigious awards. It reflects Wokingham Borough the healthiest and most prosperous local authority, and one of the most desirable to live in. 

“We need the best and most experienced hand on the tiller. It is no time for novices. Why would you risk a change?” 

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Purdah guidance amounts to if a “reasonable” person could conclude that public money was being spent by a council to influence the outcome of the election through a given action, then it is not permitted. 

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Wokingham, Clive Jones, said in response: “This possibly breaks the purdah rules but that doesn’t really matter because they are the Conservatives and they don’t really care how many rules they break these days. They consider themselves to be immune to rules.  

“If he is suggesting that liberal democrats would not make a good job of running the council then that is just another offensive remark from John Halsall.”