Members were reminded that the Representation of the People Act 1983required every non-metropolitan county council to appoint an officer of the Council to be Returning Officer for elections of councillors and ensure borough and parish elections were conducted in accordance with rules made by the Secretary of State.

A Returning Officer held office in an individual capacity which was not linked to the position held as an officer of the Council. This gave him/her an independent status to make decisions without interference as they were

only answerable to the courts in terms of the way in which they conducted their official duties. This was a personal, not Council appointment.

The Secretary of State could make provision for combining elections. Where a local government election was combined with the poll at a further electoral event, one Returning Officer or Counting Officer would take on responsibility for the combined electors of the poll including the provision  of polling stations, combined postal votes and verification of ballot papers with the support of the Local Returning Officer of the council.

The report before Members outlined issues relating to the election process raised in the Finance and Resources Committee of 30 June 2014.

Cllr Aspinell MOVED and Cllr Lloyd SECONDED the recommendations in the report and following a discussion it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

1.   The Council  noted the election processes as prescribed in legislation and criteria set by the Electoral Commissions performance standards.

2.  The  Returning Officer for the combined elections in 2015  considers any changes in legislation and the recommendations of the Council, elected members and political parties.

3.  The Council and Returning Officer consider the implications of commencing the Borough count on Friday 8^th May and Parish count on Saturday 9^th May after consultation with interested and political  parties to ensure proactive engagement.

4.  Funding for voter encouragement subject to the identified resources (£5,100) being agreed as part of the 2015/16 budget setting process.

5.  A report would be made to the 10 December 2014 Ordinary Council meeting on the consultation and findings.