Sections 1 and 2 of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003 provide for the holding of referendums about the establishment of Elected Regional Assemblies and the reorganisation of local government to a single-tier in those areas that have both district and county councils.

This Order prescribes limits for referendum expenses incurred by permitted participants in Regional Assembly referendums and such local government referendums in the North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber regions. A permitted participant is a registered party, individual or body that has made the appropriate declaration or notification under section 105 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, as applied and modified by the Regional Assembly and Local Government Referendums Order 2004 (S.I. 2004 No.1962 ).

Article 3 specifies the maxima allowed in the North West region.

Article 4 specifies the maxima allowed in the North East region.

Article 5 specifies the maxima allowed in the Yorkshire and the Humber region.

The limit for individuals or bodies that are not registered parties or designated organisations is £100,000. No permitted participant under this Order may incur more than £940,000 by way of referendum expenses in a region (the North West region).

Article 6 provides that for registered parties, which are not designated organisations, the sums are determined by reference to share of the vote in the region of the registered party concerned at the last European Parliamentary election held before such a referendum.

This Order accords with the views of the Electoral Commission.

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on the costs of businesses, charities or voluntary bodies.