Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Returning Officer.

The Committee considered a report by the Chief Executive (designate), as the Returning Officer for Dorset Council, on the arrangements for recharging for the administration of town and parish council elections in 2019, incidental by-elections, and parish polls.

A request was made for information on the recharging to be shared with town and parish councils as soon as possible so that any financial impact could be taken account of in local budget and precept planning. The need for effective communications was highlighted through regular newsletters and through the Dorset Association of Town and Parish Councils (DAPTC).

Decision

That the implementation of the approach to recharging parish and town councils for the costs incurred by Dorset Council for administering their scheduled elections and by-elections set out in section 3 of the Returning Officer’s report with effect from 1 April 2019, be approved.

Reason for Decision

Parish and town councils needed clarity about the likely costs that they would incur for both scheduled elections in 2019 and incidental by-elections to inform their budget-setting processes and decisions on the level of precept and beyond.