Contact: David Hinxman - Ext: 7339

1. Introduction

1.1. This report draws the Committee's attention to the arrangements which have operated since 1976 regarding the setting of election fees and disbursements and to the arrangements for 2003/04 and beyond.

2. The Scheme of Election Fees and Disbursements

2.1. Members will know that Hampshire District Councils deal with the day to day arrangements for County Council elections. They are reimbursed on the basis of a county-wide agreed level of fees and charges based on those allowed for Parliamentary elections. Routinely, the rate of increase has been linked to the national pay award with individual sums rounded up to the nearest 5p, although for 2003/04 the poll clerk's fee will be increased markedly from £60.15 to £80.00, having regard to the minimum wage and the need to be able to staff polling stations. This can be achieved by applying the pay award% increase and making adjustments within the scheme to provide flexibility within budget.

2.2. In May 1976 the Chief Executive, as County Returning Officer, was authorised to update the scales of fees and disbursements for County Council elections in accordance with the scales for the time being in force for District Council elections. The County Council's approved scale largely mirrors that which applies to District Council elections. Still reflecting conditions imposed over a quarter of a century ago, however, the County Council's scheme hitherto has placed notional limits in relation to the Deputy Returning Officer's fee and support for the preparation and issue of official poll cards by limiting the maximum claimable to electorates of 5,500 and 8,000 respectively. The District Councils, by way of the Hampshire Election Fees Working Party, on which the Chief Executives of Fareham, New Forest and Winchester are represented, has asked the Chief Executive to review this condition, given the growth which has taken place in the size of County Electoral divisions (the average electorate for the purposes of the periodic electoral review was over 13,000 last year). The effect of the limitations has been that the District Councils, over the years, have subsidised the cost of the County Council's election arrangements on an increasing basis every four years. Had the actual electorates been the basis of these payments for the June 2001 County Council elections, it is estimated that in total a further £40-50,000 would have been required.

3. Conclusion

3.1. The support of the Hampshire District Councils on elections work is much appreciated and in the interests of maintaining effective and efficient working relations, the Chief Executive considers that, from 1 April 2003, the notional limits described should no longer apply. The average annual increase in cost to the County Council over four years, the life of the Council, would be just over £10,000.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report be noted.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1 Published works.

2 Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

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