SCHEDULE 3THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING REFERENDUMS RULES

PART 7Declaration of Result and Disposal of Documents

Declaration of result: cross-boundary referendum areas43

1

This rule applies where the referendum area comprises any part of the area of more than one relevant council.

2

When the Chief Counting Officer is satisfied the result of the poll has been ascertained, the Chief Counting Officer must direct the counting officers to draw up a final statement of the matters referred to in rule 38(3) and to provide final versions of their statements of rejected ballot papers.

3

The counting officer, having drawn up the final statement, must—

a

forthwith inform the Chief Counting Officer of its contents; and

b

as soon as reasonably practicable give the Chief Counting Officer notice of the number of rejected ballot papers under each head shown in the final statement of rejected ballot papers.

4

When authorised by the Chief Counting Officer to do so, each counting officer must—

a

make a declaration of the matters referred to in the final statement; and

b

give public notice of those matters together with the number of rejected ballot papers under each head shown in the final statement of rejected ballot papers.

5

The Chief Counting Officer, having received notification of the final statement from each counting officer referred to in paragraph (2) must—

a

draw up a statement of—

i

the total number of ballot papers counted, and

ii

the total number of votes cast in favour of each answer to the question asked,

in respect of the referendum;

b

declare the result of the referendum;

c

inform the proper officer of each relevant council of the result of the referendum;

d

give public notice of—

i

the result of the referendum;

ii

the number of ballot papers counted;

iii

the total number of votes cast for each answer; and

iv

the number of rejected ballot papers under each head shown in the statement of rejected ballot papers.