Havant council's ignored electoral register letters cost taxpayer £18,500-a-yearÂ

Havant Borough Council (HBC) delivers household enquiry forms to more than 56,000 homes across the borough '“ asking people to check and correct their details on the electoral register.

Legally, residents are required to respond to the letter '“ but last year, HBC has said, uncompleted forms cost the local taxpayer around £18,500 in follow-up correspondence and door-to-door visits from council officers.

HBC chief executive, Sandy Hopkins, said: '˜The money spent chasing up unanswered household enquiry forms last year would pay for the equivalent of six weeks of grass cutting, accommodation for 15 families threatened with homelessness or pay vet bills for around 200 stray dogs. Please respond to this form so we can spend this money on local services instead.'

Anyone not on the register will need to complete the household enquiry form and sign up at gov.uk/register-to-vote