The Scottish Parliament Elections (Returning Officer Fees and Charges) Regulations 2016

PART 2 Constituency Returning Officers

Maximum total recoverable amount

3.  For the purposes of article 18(2)(a) of the 2015 Order, the maximum total recoverable amount for the constituency returning officer for a constituency is—

(a) where the poll at a Scottish parliamentary election is not combined, the amount listed opposite that constituency in column 4 of the table in the Schedule;

(b) where the poll at a Scottish parliamentary election is combined, the total of the amounts provided for by regulations 4(1)(a) and 5(1)(b); or

(c) where the election is uncontested, £2,000.

Maximum recoverable amount for specified services

4.—(1) For the purposes of article 18(2)(c) of the 2015 Order, the maximum recoverable amount for the services specified in paragraph (2) for the constituency returning officer for a constituency is—

(a) whether or not the poll at a Scottish parliamentary election is combined, the amount listed opposite that constituency in column 2 of the table in the Schedule; or

(b) where the election is uncontested, £600.

(2) The specified services are—

(a) conducting the election;

(b) discharging the constituency returning officer’s duties at the election; and

(c) making arrangements for the election.

Maximum recoverable amount for specified expenses

5.—(1) For the purposes of article 18(2)(c) of the 2015 Order, the maximum recoverable amount for the expenses specified in paragraph (2) for the constituency returning officer for a constituency is—

(a) where the poll at a Scottish parliamentary election is not combined, the amount listed opposite that constituency in column 3 of the table in the Schedule;

(b) where the poll at a Scottish parliamentary election is combined, 80 per cent of the amount so listed; or

(c) where the election is uncontested, £1,400.

(2) The specified expenses are—

(a) the appointment and payment of persons to assist the constituency returning officer;

(b) travel and overnight subsistence for the constituency returning officer and any person appointed to assist the constituency returning officer;

(c) the costs of the nomination process;

(d) printing or otherwise producing the ballot papers;

(e) printing, producing or purchasing postal vote stationery;

(f) printing (or otherwise producing) and arranging for the delivery of poll cards;

(g) printing or otherwise producing and, where appropriate, publishing notices and any other documents required by any enactment for or in connection with the election;

(h) renting, heating, lighting, cleaning, adapting, or restoring any building or room;

(i) providing and transporting equipment;

(j) providing information and communications technology equipment and software and associated costs;

(k) providing security, including any necessary secure storage of ballot boxes, ballot papers and verification documents;

(l) conducting the verification and the count;

(m) providing and receiving training; and

(n) providing stationery and meeting postage, telephone, printing, translation and banking costs and the costs of other miscellaneous items for or in connection with the election.