The Electoral Commission informs me that it issues guidance to local government returning officers advising that packs containing nomination papers, an election timetable and guidance notes for prospective local election candidates should be prepared well before the start of the formal election period and supplied on request.
The Commission has also published performance standards for returning officers in Great Britain. In order to meet performance standard seven, “Communication of information to candidates and agents”, returning officers must ensure that candidates and election agents are offered briefing sessions and are issued with written guidance on the election process.