The European Parliamentary Elections (Local Returning Officers' Charges) (Great Britain and Gibraltar) Order 2004

Article 4

SCHEDULE SERVICES AND EXPENSES IN RESPECT OF WHICH A LOCAL RETURNING OFFICER AT A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION IN GREAT BRITAIN AND IN GIBRALTAR MAY RECOVER HIS CHARGES

PART A Maximum recoverable amounts for services of local returning officer

1.—(1) This paragraph makes provision for a local returning officer’s services in conducting the election in any local counting area for which he is responsible and discharging his duties (except those specified in paragraph 2(1) of this Part) in connection therewith.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraphs (3) and (4), the maximum recoverable amount for each such local counting area for the services specified in sub-paragraph (1) is the aggregate of—

(a) £1083 for every 30,000 entries, or fraction thereof, in the register of electors for the local counting area equal to or less than 180,000;

(b) 87.5% of £1083 for every 30,000 entries, or fraction thereof, in the register of electors for the local counting area greater than 180,000 but equal to or less than 360,000; and

(c) 75% of £1083 for every 30,000 entries in the register of electors for the local counting area greater than 360,000.

(3) In Scotland, where at a general election of MEPs a local returning officer is responsible for more than 3 local counting areas the maximum recoverable amount is reduced—

(a) for each local counting area exceeding 3 but not exceeding 6, by 12.5%; and

(b) for each local counting area exceeding 6, by 25%.

(4) Where the poll at the election in any local counting area for which the local returning officer is responsible is taken together with the poll at another election or referendum, the maximum recoverable amount determined under sub-paragraph (2) or sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) (as the case may be) shall be increased by 15%.

2.—(1) This paragraph makes provision for a local returning officer’s services in providing training for the election.

(2) The maximum recoverable amount for the services specified in sub-paragraph (1) is £150 for each training session provided by the local returning officer to presiding officers and poll clerks.

PART B Expenses of local returning officers for which maximum recoverable amounts are specified

1.—(1) This paragraph makes provision for a local returning officer’s expenses in respect of the payment of presiding officers at polling stations.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraphs (3) to (8), the maximum recoverable amount for the expenses specified in sub-paragraph (1) (including expenses incurred in respect of a person who takes over the duties of a presiding officer on polling day due to the incapacity of the previously appointed presiding officer) in respect of the presiding officer at each polling station is £170.

(3) Where a polling station is in a local counting area which is wholly contained in a London borough, the maximum recoverable amount is increased by £95.

(4) Where a polling station is in a local counting area which is adjacent to a London borough, the maximum recoverable amount is increased by £30.

(5) Where at a polling place there is more than one polling station, the maximum recoverable amount in respect of one only of the presiding officers at the polling station at such a polling place is increased by £8.

(6) Where a presiding officer receives training (including a presiding officer who owing to incapacity or any other reason does not discharge the duties of presiding officer on polling day), the maximum recoverable amount is increased by £40.

(7) Where in a local counting area which is wholly contained in a London borough the poll at the election is taken together with the poll at another election or referendum at the polling station, the maximum recoverable amount is increased by £55.

(8) Where in a local counting area which is not wholly contained in a London borough the poll at the election is taken together with the poll at another election or referendum at the polling station, the maximum recoverable amount is increased by £40.

2.—(1) This paragraph makes provision for a local returning officer’s expenses in respect of the payment of poll clerks at polling stations.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraphs (3) and (6), the maximum recoverable amount for the expenses specified in sub-paragraph (1) in respect of each poll clerk is £100.

(3) Where a polling station is in a local counting area which is wholly contained in a London borough, the maximum recoverable amount is increased by £85.

(4) Where a polling station is in a local counting area which is adjacent to a London borough, the maximum recoverable amount is increased by £40.

(5) Where a poll clerk receives training (including a poll clerk who owing to incapacity or any other reason does not discharge the duties of poll clerk on polling day), the maximum recoverable amount is increased by £20.

(6) Where the poll at the election is taken together with the poll at another election or referendum at the polling station, the maximum recoverable amount is increased by £25.

3.—(1) This paragraph makes provision for a local returning officer’s expenses in respect of the payment of persons employed in connection with—

(a) the preparation, revision and issue of the official poll cards;

(b) the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers;

(c) the verification of the ballot paper accounts;

(d) the count; and

(e) any other clerical or other assistance for the purposes of the election.

(2) The maximum recoverable amount for the expenses specified in sub-paragraph (1), subject to sub-paragraphs (3) and (4), is—

(a) £5,000 where the number of entries in the register of electors for the local counting area is 30,000 or less;

(b) £10,000 where the number of entries in the register of electors for the local counting area is greater than 30,00 but equal to or less than 60,000;

(c) £12,900 where the number of entries in the register of electors for the local counting area is greater than 60,000 but equal to or less than 90,000; and

(d) £4,300 for every 30,000 entries, or fraction thereof, in the register of electors for the local counting area where the number of entries is greater than 90,000.

(3) The maximum recoverable amount is increased for each recount of the votes ordered by the local returning officer by £500.

(4) Where the poll at the election in any local counting area for which the local returning officer is responsible is taken together with the poll at another election or referendum, the maximum recoverable amount determined under sub-paragraph (2) shall be increased by 15%.

PART C: Expenses of local returning officer for which no maximum recoverable amounts are specified

1.  Travelling and overnight subsistence expenses of—

(a) the local returning officer;

(b) any person placed at the local returning officer’s disposal under section 6(7) of the European Parliamentary Elections Act 2002(1);

(c) any presiding officer or poll clerk; and

(d) any clerical or other assistants employed by the local returning officer.

2.  Expenses in printing or otherwise producing the ballot papers.

3.  Expenses in printing or otherwise producing the official poll cards and in delivering them to the voters, excluding the expenses referred to in paragraph 3(1) of Part B of this Schedule.

4.  Expenses in printing or otherwise producing and, where appropriate, publishing notices and other documents required by the 2004 Regulations.

5.  Expenses in renting, heating, lighting and cleaning any building or room.

6.  Expenses in adapting any building or room and in restoring it to a fit condition for its normal use.

7.  Expenses in the provision of voting compartments and any other furniture necessary for polling stations.

8.  Expenses in the provision of ballot boxes and instruments to stamp on the ballot papers the official mark.

9.  Expenses in the conveyance—

(a) to and from the polling stations, to and from the verification centre and to and from the count centre of the ballot boxes and ballot papers, and

(b) to and from the polling stations of the voting compartments, any other furniture necessary for polling stations and the instruments to stamp on the ballot papers the official mark.

10.  Expenses in the provision of stationery and writing implements and in postage, telephone and bank charges and other miscellaneous items.

11.  Expenses in connection with the provision of security measures, including secure storage of ballot boxes between polling day and the count.

(1)

2002 c. 24; section 6(7) was amended by section 20(4) of the European Parliament (Representation) Act 2003 (c. 7).