The Parliamentary Elections (Returning Officers' Charges) Order 1997

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

PART A: MAXIMUM RECOVERABLE AMOUNTS FOR SERVICES OF RETURNING OFFICER

1.  — (1) This paragraph makes provision for a returning officer’s services in conducting the election and discharging his duties (except those specified in paragraph 2(1) of this Part) in connection therewith. (2) Subject to sub-paragraphs (3) to (5) below, the maximum recoverable amount for each constituency for the services specified in sub-paragraph (1) above is	£1,528.42.
(3) For every 1,000 entries, or fraction thereof, in the register of electors for each constituency over 60,000 entries, the maximum recoverable amount is increased by	£5.93.
(4) Where at a general election a returning officer is responsible for more than three constituencies, the maximum recoverable amount is reduced— (a) for each constituency exceeding three but not exceeding six, by	£241.03;
(b) for each constituency exceeding six, by	£356.78.
(5) For each constituency where there are combined polls for the conduct of which the returning officer is responsible, the maximum recoverable amount is increased by	£265.44.
2.  — (1) This paragraph makes provision for a returning officer’s services in connection with the issue and receipt of the ballot papers for persons entitled to vote by post. (2) Subject to sub-paragraph (3) below, the maximum recoverable amount for each constituency for the services specified in sub-paragraph (1) above is	£74.87.
(3) Where the number of persons entitled to vote by post in any constituency exceeds 1,500, the maximum recoverable amount is increased for every 50 such persons, or fraction thereof, over 1,500 by an additional	£0.53.

PART B: EXPENSES OF RETURNING OFFICER FOR WHICH MAXIMUM RECOVERABLE AMOUNTS ARE SPECIFIED

1.  — (1) This paragraph makes provision for a returning officer’s expenses in respect of the payment of presiding officers at polling stations. (2) Subject to sub-paragraphs (3) to (5) below, the maximum recoverable amount for the expenses specified in sub-paragraph (1) above (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	£110.70.
(3) Where a polling station is in a constituency which is wholly contained in a London borough, the maximum recoverable amount is increased by	£61.93.
(4) 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 stations at such a polling place is increased by	£6.74.
(5) Where there are combined polls at a polling station, the maximum recoverable amount is increased by	£27.68.
2.  — (1) This paragraph makes provision for a returning officer’s expenses in respect of the payment of poll clerks at polling stations. (2) Subject to sub-paragraphs (3) and (4) below, the maximum recoverable amount for the expenses specified in sub-paragaph (1) above in respect of each poll clerk is	£70.00.
(3) Where a polling station is in a constituency which is wholly contained in a London borough, the maximum recoverable amount is increased by	£61.93.
(4) Where there are combined polls at a polling station, the maximum recoverable amount is increased by	£17.50.
3.  — (1) This paragraph makes provision for a returning officer’s expenses in respect of the payment of persons employed in connection with the preparation, revision and issue of the official poll cards. (2) The maximum recoverable amount for the expenses specified in sub-paragraph (1) above is, for every 100 cards or fraction thereof,	£1.40.
4.  — (1) This paragraph makes provision for a returning officer’s expenses in respect of the payment of persons employed in connection with the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers and the count and any other clerical or other assistance for the purposes of the election. (2) Subject to sub-paragraphs (3) to (6) below, the maximum recoverable amount for each constituency for the expenses specified in sub-paragraph (1) above is	£4,038.45.
(3) In a constituency where the number of entries in the register of electors exceeds 60,000, the maximum recoverable amount is increased, for every additional 1,000 entries or fraction thereof above 60,000, by	£43.81.
(4) The maximum recoverable amount is increased, for every 100 voters or fraction thereof entitled to vote by post in a constituency, by	£39.77.
(5) The maximum recoverable amount is increased for each recount of the votes ordered by the returning officer by	£350.79.
(6) For each constituency where there are combined polls for the conduct of which the returning officer is responsible, the maximum recoverable amount is increased by	£1,050.88.

PART C: EXPENSES OF RETURNING OFFICER FOR WHICH NO MAXIMUM RECOVERABLE AMOUNTS ARE SPECIFIED

1.  Travelling and overnight subsistence expenses of—

(a) the returning officer;

(b) any person appointed under section 28(5) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 or placed at the returning officer’s disposal under section 25(2) of that Act (1);

(c) any presiding officer or poll clerk; and

(d) any clerical or other assistants employed by the 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 Representation of the People Acts.

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 to and from the polling stations of—

(a) the ballot boxes and ballot papers, and

(b) 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.

12.  In a constituency in Scotland, expenses in the supply of copies of the register of electors for use in the conduct of the election.

(1)

Section 25(2) has been amended by paragraph 130(3)(b) of Schedule 13 to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1994 (c. 39).