The Senedd Cymru (Returning Officers’ Charges) Order 2021

Maximum recoverable amount for expenses incurred at a contested Senedd constituency election

6.—(1) The total amount a constituency returning officer may recover for expenses incurred for, or in connection with, a contested Senedd constituency election must not exceed—

(a) the aggregate amount of column 3(a) and (b) in the table in Schedule 1;

(b) in respect of standard expenses only, the total amount in column 3(a) in the table in Schedule 1;

(c) in respect of coronavirus expenses only, the total amount in column 3(b) in the table in Schedule 1.

(2) A returning officer may recover standard expenses incurred for, or in connection with—

(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 or otherwise 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 publishing all election notices and documents;

(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 secure storage of ballot boxes, ballot papers and verification documents;

(l) conducting the verification and the count;

(m) providing and receiving training;

(n) providing stationery and meeting postage, telephone, printing, translation and banking costs and the costs of other miscellaneous items.

(3) A returning officer may recover expenses incurred as a result of the need to comply with an enactment relating to coronavirus or to follow guidance relating to coronavirus issued by the Welsh Ministers, including—

(a) the appointment and payment of persons to assist with enforcing coronavirus regulations;

(b) printing or otherwise producing coronavirus related signage;

(c) personal protective equipment for persons assisting the constituency returning officer and electoral administrators;

(d) additional cleaning products at the polling station and count venues;

(e) additional costs associated with a need to extend the verification and count period due to coronavirus measures;

(f) training on coronavirus regulations.