Content

To approve an increase in Returning Officer
fees and charges from 5.3p per elector to an estimated 5.4p* per
elector from April 2025 and agree that Returning Officer fees are
increased annually in line with the percentage that is applied to
the budget for the pay award across Wiltshire Council.

The Returning Officer (referred to as Counting Officer for
referendums) is appointed by the local authority to conduct
elections and referendums within the local authority area.

The Representation of the People Act 1983 makes provision for a
scale of expenses to be fixed for the purpose of determining the
Returning Officer’s expenditure. In cases where such a scale
has been fixed, the scale must not be exceeded. The rate for this
role has not changed since 2009 when Wiltshire became a unitary
authority. The current rate is 5.3p per elector.

The existing scheme is outdated and does not consider pay awards
over the last 15 years or inflation. Benchmarking against
neighbouring authorities has demonstrated that Wiltshire’s
Returning Officer fees are lower and not reflective of the size and
scale of the elections the Returning Officer oversees in
Wiltshire.

*the budgeted pay award in the MTFS for 2025/26 is 3%

Reasons for the decision

The Returning Officer fee has not increased
since 2009 when Wiltshire Council became a unitary authority.

It was reviewed in 2021 but no increase made.

Benchmarking against neighbouring authorities has shown they adopt
increases in line with pay awards.

Wiltshire Council has moved to a pence per elector model of
calculating the elector fee in line with neighbouring authorities
to reduce administration time when calculating the Returning
Officer fee when running elections.

This move has demonstrated the disparity in payment when
benchmarked against neighbours who have payments of up to 10p per
elector.

The payment of 5.3p per elector for the Returning Officer is
outdated and does not factor in the geography of Wiltshire, the
responsibility of the role or size of elections that take
place.

I confirm that in making this decision I have considered the
following in line with Wiltshire Council’s
Constitution:

Key decision requirements: Yes

Views of relevant cabinet member(s), committee chairman, area
board(s): Yes – discussion with both Cabinet Member and
Leader of the Council. Decision taken in conjunction with the
Leader of the Council to increase fees in line with pay award

Consultation with cabinet member(s), the Leader and Scrutiny (for
Executive decisions taken under Emergency Powers): NA

Consultation in accordance with the council’s consultation
guidance and the views emanating from that process: Yes

Implication of any council policy, initiative, strategy or
procedure: Yes

Staffing, financial and legal implications: Yes

The assessment of any associated risks in accordance with the
Council’s risk management strategy: Yes

Involvement of appropriate statutory officers and/or corporate
directors and directors: Yes

Regional or national guidance from other bodies where relevant:
Yes

The council’s constitution, including the Procurement and
Contract Rules (Part 10) and the Financial Regulations and
Procedure Rules (Part 9), all relevant guidance, legislation, codes
of practice, and protocols: Yes

Alternative options considered

Keep the Returning Officer fee at the 2009
rate. This was discounted as it was felt that an increase was
appropriate in light of the responsibility associated with the role
and the fact there has been no increase in payment for this role in
15 years.