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Merran McRae Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer
Electoral Services Office County Hall Bond Street
Wakefield WF1 2QW
T 01924 305023; E [email protected] Typetalk calls welcome
Dear Candidate / Agent, Please find enclosed a Candidates’ Briefing Pack, which contains important information that you may require at this stage in your campaign.
1. Timetable with the key dates for you as candidate and for the electors 2. Electoral Services Office Contact details 3. Boundary Maps 4. Supply of the Electoral Register and Absent Voter Lists Request Forms – form for
completion 5. Postal Voting 6. Electoral Commission guidance – The Campaign 7. Highways Guidance 8. Joint letter to candidates and agents from Returning Officer and Chief Constable of
West Yorkshire Police 9. Code of Conduct for Campaigners 10. Keep yourself safe – guidance on personal safety 11. Rooms for meetings 12. Tellers 13. Verification and count 14. Appointing Polling Agents / Postal Vote Agents / Counting Agents – forms for
completion 15. Secrecy Notices 16. Election Expenses information 17. Election Expenses Forms – inc. Electoral Commission guidance
Please ensure that you have read and understood the information contained in this pack. Please complete and return any relevant forms as soon as possible, paying attention to the relevant deadlines given. If you have any queries, please contact the Electoral Services Office: Email: [email protected] Tel: 01924 305024 In person: Room 51, County Hall, Wakefield, WF1 2QW Yours faithfully,
Sandra Hardy Electoral Services Manager
April 2018 To: All Election Candidates and Agents
[Page not to be used]
CITY OF WAKEFIELD METROPOLITAN DISTRICT COUNCIL
DISTRICT COUNCIL ELECTIONS THURSDAY 3rd May 2018
ELECTION TIMETABLE (1/2)
Nomination Period Commences
Monday 26 March 2018
Publication Notice Of Election
Monday 26 March 2018
Publication Of First Interim Election Notice Of Alteration
Friday 6 April 2018
Last Day For Receipt Of Nominations 4:00 PM Friday 6 April 2018 Appointment of Election Agents Close
4:00PM
Friday 6 April 2018
Last Time For Withdrawals
4:00 PM Friday 6 April 2018
Publication Of Statement Of Persons Nominated
4:00 PM Monday 9 April 2018
Publication Of Notice Of Election Agents
Monday 9 April 2018
Deadline For Applications To Be Included In The Register Of Electors
Tuesday 17 April 2018
Publication Of Second Interim Election Notice Of Alteration
Wednesday 18 April 2018
Last Day For New Postal Vote Applications and Changes To Existing Absent Voter Applications
5:00 PM Wednesday 18 April 2018
Publication Of Notice Of Poll
Wednesday 25 April 2018
Last Day For New Applications For A Proxy Vote (Except For Medical/Work Emergencies)
5:00 PM Wednesday 25 April 2018
Last Day For Appointment Of Polling and Counting Agents
Thursday 26 April 2018
Publication Of Final Election Notice Of Alteration
Thursday 26 April 2018
Printed & Published by the RETURNING OFFICER, ELECTORAL SERVICES OFFICE, COUNTY HALL, WAKEFIELD, WEST YORKSHIRE, WF1 2QW.
CITY OF WAKEFIELD METROPOLITAN DISTRICT COUNCIL
DISTRICT COUNCIL ELECTIONS THURSDAY 3 MAY 2018
ELECTION TIMETABLE (2/2) First Day To Issue Replacement Lost Postal Ballot Papers
Friday 27 April 2018
Polling Day Polling Hours - 7.00am To 10.00pm
Thursday 3 May 2018
Last Day To Issue Replacements for Spoilt or Lost Postal Ballot Papers
5:00 PM Thursday 3 May 2018
Last Day To Apply For New Proxy Application (Medical/Work Emergency)
5:00 PM Thursday 3 May 2018
Last Time For Clerical Errors
9:00 PM Thursday 3 May 2018
Verification and Count
Thursday/ Friday
3/4 May 2018
Last Day For The Receipt Of Election Agents Expenses (Declaration Announced After Midnight)
Friday 8 June 2018
Return Of Candidates Declaration (Result After Midnight)
Friday 15 June 2018
Printed & Published by the RETURNING OFFICER, ELECTORAL SERVICES OFFICE, COUNTY HALL, WAKEFIELD, WEST YORKSHIRE, WF1 2QW.
District Council Elections Thursday 3rd May 2018
ELECTORAL SERVICES OFFICE CONTACT DETAILS
Electoral Services Office County Hall Wakefield WF1 2QW
HELPLINE NUMBER: 01924 305023
Email: [email protected] Typetalk: (18001) (01924) 305023 Website: http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/elections
Electoral Services Staff Name Position Tel. No. Ext. Email address Sandra Hardy Electoral Services Manager 01924 305020 35020 [email protected]
Andrew Raven Deputy Electoral Services Manager - Elections 01924 305022 35022 [email protected]
Jacqui Milnes Deputy Electoral Services Manager - Registration 01924 305021 35021 [email protected]
Siobhan Lloyd Electoral Services Team Leader – Elections 01924 305032 35032 [email protected]
Sarah Nestor Electoral Services Team Leader – Registration 01924 303643 33643 [email protected]
Other useful websites: Register to vote: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote For additional information about voting: www.yourvotematters.co.uk
District Council Elections Thursday 3rd May 2018
INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES - PURCHASE OF BOUNDARY MAPS
Wakefield Council can no longer sell maps to candidates for use at Election time. 1. Ordnance Survey Election Maps Copies of boundary maps can be printed from the following website: Name of Website Ordnance Survey Election Maps URL http://www.election-maps.co.uk/
Details This is a site that Ordnance Survey has set up specifically for this purpose. Any number of maps can be printed, free of charge.
Contact Information
Tel: 03456 05 05 05 Typetalk: 023 8005 6146 Email: [email protected]
2. Other Companies (Location Maps and Field Dynamics) There are also a number of companies that will sell maps (size A2 upwards) with boundary details. The contact details for two such companies are shown below: Name of Website Location Maps
URL www.locationmaps.com
Contact Information
Tel: 0800 7314 084 (Sales) Email: [email protected]
Name of Website Field Dynamics (formerly Dotted Eyes) URL www.field-dynamics.co.uk
Contact Information
Tel: 0121 232 8050 Email: [email protected]
District Council Elections - Thursday 3 May 2018
REGISTER OF ELECTORS: POSTAL VOTE LIST – SUPPLY OF FREE COPIES TO
CANDIDATES/AGENTS
Name of Candidate:
Electoral Area:
E Mail Address and Phone number:
Under the provisions of The Representation of the People Regulations the register of electors/postal vote list issued to you in your capacity as a candidate/agent will be in data format unless you indicate otherwise below.
I wish to receive the postal vote list in the following format (tick one only):
PDF by secure email (1-2 working days) Final update required after 26/4/18 DATA (CSV) by secure email (1-2 working days) PAPER for collection (3-4 working days)
I wish to receive the register of electors (including updates January – April) in the following format (tick one only):
PDF by secure email (1-2 working days) May updates required after 26/4/18 DATA (CSV) by secure email (1-2 working days) PAPER for collection (3-4 working days)
Please now sign and date the following declaration before submitting your request. I am entitled to these documents in my capacity as Candidate/Agent and I understand that it is an offence to pass on or use the information in these documents other than for the purpose for which they are provided (see overleaf). Signed…………………………………………. Print name:………………………………………………… Agent for (if applicable):……………………………………… Dated…………………………………….. Return the request by post or hand to Electoral Services Office, Room 51, County Hall, Wakefield, WF1 2QW or as an attachment to an email to [email protected] NOTE – PHOTOCOPY ORIGINAL AND RETURN TWO-SIDED COPY TO CANDIDATE. FILE ORIGINAL FORM.
Supply of the full register of electors on request This register has been supplied in accordance with the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001(as amended) Only the following individuals and organisations are entitled to a copy of the full register of electors on request:
• elected representatives • candidates • the agent of a party list standing at a European Parliamentary election, an election of the
London members of the London Assembly or an election in an electoral region for the National Assembly for Wales or an election in a Scottish Parliamentary electoral region
• registered political parties, including recognised third parties • local constituency parties • holders of relevant elective offices within the meaning of Paragraph 1(8), Schedule 7, Political
Parties Elections and Referendums Act • permitted participants within the meaning of Section 105(1) of the Political Parties Elections
and Referendums Act • the council which appointed the Electoral Registration Officer • any other local authority which area contains all or part of the Electoral Registration Officer’s
responsibility (not parish and community councils) • parish and community councils • any police force in Great Britain • the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (Reserve) • the National Criminal Intelligence Service • the National Crime Squad • the Police Information Technology Organisation • anybody of constables established under an enactment • the Security Service, GCHQ and the Secret Intelligence Service • the Returning Officer for the purposes of any election of members to a National Park authority
(Scotland) • a public library or local authority archives service where their remit includes the registration
area The information contained within this register must only be used for the purpose and manner specified in the Regulations/ Scottish Parliament Order. Once the purpose for which the register has been supplied has expired, the register should be securely destroyed. Penalties
• Anyone who fails to observe these conditions is committing a criminal offence. The penalty is a fine of up to level 5 (currently £5000).
Electoral Registration Officer Wakefield Metropolitan District Council
Information for Candidates
Postal Vote Issuing and Opening Sessions
District Council Elections – Thursday 3 May 2018
1. Postal vote issue Postal voting packs will be issued in three batches this year. 13th April 2018 Majority of postal votes despatched 17th April 2018 Second issue 20th April 2018 Final postal votes despatched to those electors who have
recently completed and returned postal vote application forms
All postal voting packs will be sent by first class mail. Candidates and Agents are not entitled to attend the issuing sessions. 2. Postal vote opening, scanning and adjudication sessions Postal vote opening sessions Postal vote opening sessions will take place in the Committee Rooms in County Hall, Wakefield on the following days:
• Friday 20th April 2018 9.30 am (supervisor training only)
• Tuesday 24th April 2018 9.30 am • Thursday 26th April 2018 9.30 am • Tuesday 1st May 2018 9.30 am • Thursday 3rd May 2018 3.00 pm
Although postal vote opening sessions are scheduled for each of these days we cannot give an estimate as to how long each session will last. The length of each session will depend entirely upon the number of items received from Royal Mail. Candidates and Agents are entitled to attend these sessions but only to view the opening of postal votes from the ward in which the candidate is standing.
Please note that during the opening process all ballot papers will be face down. At the Count, when the postal vote ballot boxes are verified the ballot papers will be counted face up. Postal voting statement scanning sessions During the opening sessions, postal voting statements will be scanned in Room 45, County Hall, Wakefield. Candidates and Agents are entitled to attend these sessions but only to view the scanning of postal voting statements from the ward in which the candidate is standing. Adjudication of Provisionally Rejected Postal Voting Statements Adjudication of provisionally rejected postal voting statements will be carried out during the opening sessions by Deputy Returning Officers as appointed by the Returning Officer. Candidates and Agents are entitled to attend these sessions but only to view adjudication on provisionally rejected postal voting statements from the ward in which the candidate is standing. Candidates and/or their agents will be asked to sign in and out of each of the postal vote opening/scanning and adjudication sessions.
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This document applies to district, borough, county, county borough and unitary authority elections. It does not apply to parish and community council elections, mayoral elections or elections to the Greater London Authority. Our guidance and resources for other elections in the UK can be accessed from our website at: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/guidance/resources-for-those-we-regulate/candidates-and-agents.
Local elections in England and Wales
Guidance for candidates and agents Part 4 of 6 – The campaign November 2017
Local elections > England and Wales > Candidates and agents > Part 4 of 6
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Contents The campaign ................................................. 3 Campaigning dos and don’ts ........................... 4
When can you start campaigning? ....................................... 4 When does a person officially become a candidate? ........... 4 During the campaign, you may… ......................................... 5 During the campaign, you should… ..................................... 5 During the campaign, you must not… .................................. 6
Use of the electoral register and lists of absent voters .............................................................. 6
Restrictions on the use of the information contained in the electoral register and lists of absent voters .......................... 7 Applying for a copy of the electoral register and the lists of absent voters ........................................................................ 7
Using schools and rooms for public meetings . 8
Campaign publicity dos and don’ts ................. 9 Using imprints..................................................................... 10
What is an imprint? ......................................................... 10 Polling day dos and don’ts ............................ 12 Maintaining the integrity of the election ......... 13 List of offences .............................................. 13
Bribery ................................................................................ 13 Treating .............................................................................. 14 Undue influence ................................................................. 14 Personation ........................................................................ 14 False statements ................................................................ 14 False registration information and false postal/proxy voting application .......................................................................... 15 False application to vote by post or by proxy ..................... 15 Multiple voting and proxy voting offences ........................... 15 Breaches of the secrecy of the ballot ................................. 15
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Campaign publicity material ............................................... 16 Racial hatred ...................................................................... 16
Reporting allegations of electoral fraud ......... 16 What if you have made a mistake? ............... 17
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The campaign This document contains our guidance on campaigning at a district, borough, county, county borough or unitary council election in England and Wales.
In this document, we use ‘you’ to refer to the candidate. We use ‘must’ when we refer to a specific requirement. We use ‘should’ for items we consider to be minimum good practice, but which are not legal or regulatory requirements. Deadlines mentioned in this document are generic and we have published a generic election timetable on our website. If a by-election has been called, you will be able to obtain a copy of the specific timetable for that election from the Returning Officer. If you are standing at the local elections on 3 May 2018, we have published an election timetable containing the specific deadlines for those polls which you can download from our website.
We are here to help, so please contact your local Commission team if you have any questions. See our Overview document for contact details.
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Campaigning dos and don’ts When can you start campaigning?
You can start campaigning at any time. You do not have 1.1to wait until you are validly nominated to declare that you will run for election, ask people to support you or publish campaign material.
Election spending limits apply from the day after the date 1.2a person officially becomes a candidate. For more information on election spending, please see Part 3: Spending and donations.
When does a person officially become a candidate?
The earliest you can officially become a candidate is on 1.3the last date for publishing the notice of election, which is on the 25th working day before the poll.
You will officially become a candidate on this day if on or 1.4before this date you have already declared yourself a candidate at the election (or another person has declared that you are a candidate).
If after this date you or others declare that you will be a 1.5candidate at the election, you will become a candidate on the date such a declaration is made, or on the date that you submit your nomination papers, whichever is the earlier.
Once you have officially become a candidate, you are 1.6entitled to a copy of the electoral register. You are also entitled to a copy of the lists of absent voters for the ward you are standing in. In addition, you can use publicly funded rooms and schools for public meetings (see paragraph 1.20 below).
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During the campaign, you may… • Encourage people who are not on the electoral register to
apply for registration. The deadline for registering to vote in time for an election is 12 working days before the poll. Individuals can register online at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. You can find out more about who can register at www.yourvotematters.co.uk.
• Help voters with information about postal and proxy voting – you can find information at www.yourvotematters.co.uk. The deadline for applying for a postal vote for the election is 5pm on the eleventh working day before the poll. The deadline for applying for a proxy vote for the election is 5pm on the sixth working day before the poll, although in some circumstances electors may apply for an emergency proxy up to 5pm on polling day. An elector can apply for an emergency proxy if, after 5pm on the sixth working day before the poll, they have had a medical emergency or have been called away on business.
During the campaign, you should… • If you develop your own application forms, make sure
they include all the required information, or the applications will be rejected. In particular, you must make sure that the signature and date of birth fields on postal and proxy application forms are in the correct format. You should use our absent voting application forms on www.yourvotematters.co.uk as a guide. You should liaise with the Electoral Registration Officer who may be able to provide you with forms you can use.
• Make sure your supporters follow the Code of conduct for campaigners in Great Britain – this will help them to avoid situations where their honesty or integrity could be questioned. Make sure your supporters are courteous when dealing with other candidates and their supporters.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission have published guidance for political parties and candidates about how equality and human rights law affects election campaigning. A copy of their guidance can be found here: www.equalityhumanrights.com/electoral-guidance
You should never handle or take any completed ballot paper or postal ballot packs from voters.
Completed registration or absent vote applications given to you or your campaigners should be sent on unaltered to the Electoral Registration Officer within two working days of receipt.
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• Be aware of the deadlines for appointing an election agent, and agents to attend postal vote opening sessions, polling stations and the count. Deadlines are set out in our guidance document Part 2a: Standing as an independent candidate and Part 2b: Standing as a party candidate.
• Check our guidance on how postal vote openings, the voting process and the count will work so that you know what you can expect to happen and when see Part 5 – Your right to attend key electoral events.
• Check that your systems for recording spending and donations are working. For more information on donations and election spending see Part 3: Spending and donations
During the campaign, you must not… • Knowingly make a false statement about the personal
character of a candidate. • Pay canvassers. Canvassing means trying to persuade
an elector to vote for or against a particular candidate or party.
More information on election offences and how to report 1.7these can be found in paragraph 1.62.
If either you or your election agent have made a mistake 1.8and have acted in contravention of the rules, you can apply for relief from the consequences of having made a mistake. See paragraph 1.68 for more information.
Use of the electoral register and lists of absent voters
Once you officially become a candidate as explained in 1.9paragraphs 1.3 to 1.5 you are entitled to receive a free copy of the electoral register. You are also entitled to the lists of people voting by post or proxy (‘the lists of absent voters’) for the ward that you are contesting.
Neither the Returning Officer nor the Commission regulate these offences. Any complaints should be made to the police.
Registered political parties are entitled to receive a copy of the electoral register at any time.
Any person found breaching the restrictions on use of the electoral register could face an unlimited fine.
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Restrictions on the use of the information contained in the electoral register and lists of absent voters
The electoral register and lists of absent voters contain 1.10people’s personal data and so their use is very carefully controlled.
You can use them to: 1.11• complete your nomination form • help you campaign • check that donations are permissible
You must not release to any person any details that 1.12appear only in the electoral register and not on the open register which is available for general sale. You must not use the electoral register and lists of absent voters for any other purpose not listed above.
If you have supplied a copy of the electoral register or 1.13lists of absent voters to campaign workers, they must also comply with the requirements above.
Once you no longer need the register and lists of absent 1.14voters for any electoral purpose, you should securely destroy any copies supplied to you as a candidate in accordance with the Information Commissioner’s guidelines.
Applying for a copy of the electoral register and the lists of absent voters
Copies of the electoral register and lists of absent voters 1.15can be obtained from the Electoral Registration Officer. You can find their contact details on www.yourvotematters.co.uk.
The request must be made in writing and we have made 1.16a register request form and an absent voters’ lists request form available for this purpose on our website.
The register and lists will be supplied in electronic format 1.17unless you specifically request a paper copy.
There are two registers. Why? Using information received from the public, registration officers keep two registers – the electoral register and the open register (also known as the edited register). The electoral register The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote in public elections. The register is used for electoral purposes, such as making sure only eligible people can vote. It is also used for other limited purposes specified in law, such as detecting crime (e.g. fraud), calling people for jury service, checking credit applications. The open register The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but is not used for elections. It can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details. Electors can request not to have their name and address included in the open register.
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The version of the electoral register and lists supplied will 1.18be the ones current at the time of your request. You may also request the updates to the electoral registers and lists that are published in the lead-up to the poll, including the list of newly registered electors when it is published five working days before the poll.
Using schools and rooms for public meetings
You may want to engage with the public at public 1.19meetings, promoting your views and responding to questions from the audience.
The Electoral Registration Officer keeps a list of the 1.20location and availability of meeting rooms in their area. They will make this list available for inspection by candidates and election agents (and persons authorised by them) from the day the notice of election is published. Once you are a candidate as set out in paragraphs 1.3 to 1.5, you will be able to use public rooms up until the day before polling day. Contact details for Electoral Registration Officers can be found onwww.yourvotematters.co.uk.
You should contact the owner of the premises to make a 1.21booking, giving reasonable notice to reduce the risk of the request being refused.
There is no hire charge for using these rooms, but you 1.22must pay for any expenses incurred, such as heating, lighting and cleaning, and for any damage to the premises.
Candidates’ right to use rooms does not include hours during which a school is used for educational purposes. Equally, any prior letting of a meeting room must take precedence.
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Campaign publicity dos and don’ts
You must: 1.23
• Use imprints on all your printed campaign material and any electronic campaign material that is designed to be printed off locally. You should ensure the imprint is clear and visible. See paragraph 1.27 below for more information.
• Comply with planning rules relating to advertising hoardings and large banners – you should ask the local authority for advice.
• Make sure that outdoor posters are removed promptly after the election – you must do this within two weeks of the election.
You should: 1.24
• Include an imprint on all non-printed campaign material, including websites.
• Consider how to make your campaign accessible to people who are visually impaired, have learning difficulties or low literacy skills, or whose first language isn't English or, in Wales, Welsh. You may want to make contact with disability groups in your local area for advice.
You must not: 1.25
• Produce material that looks like the poll cards sent to voters by the Returning Officer.
• Pay people to display your adverts (unless they display adverts as part of their normal business).
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Using imprints What is an imprint?
An imprint should be added to all campaign material and, 1.26in the case of printed material, must be added by law to show who is responsible for its production. It helps to ensure that the campaign is transparent. You should ensure that your imprint is clear and visible. What do you need to include?
On printed material, such as leaflets and posters, you 1.27must include the name and address of:
• the printer
• the promoter
• any person on behalf of whom the material is being published (and who is not the promoter)
The promoter is the person who has caused the material 1.28to be published. If the promoter is acting on behalf of a group or organisation, the group or organisation’s name and address must also be included.
You can use either home or office addresses. 1.29
If you are putting an advert in a newspaper, your advert 1.30does not need to include the printer’s details but the name and address of the printer of the newspaper must appear on the first or last page of the newspaper. The advert must contain the name and address of the promoter and any person on behalf of whom the advert is being published. If the promoter and the person on behalf of whom the advert is being published are the same, their name and address need only be included once.
Example of an imprint A standard imprint should look like this: 1.31
Printed by [printer’s name and address].
Promoted by [agent’s name] of [agent’s address], on behalf of [candidate’s name] of [candidate’s address].
You can find further examples of imprints in our factsheet for candidates on election materials and imprints.
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If the candidate is also the promoter of the material, the 1.32‘on behalf of’ part of the imprint is not required.
In all cases, you must make sure that the imprint lists all 1.33the promoters and organisations involved. You can find further examples of imprints in our factsheet for candidates on election materials and imprints.
Where do you put the imprint?
If your material is single-sided – such as a window poster 1.34– you must put the imprint on the face of the document. If it is multi-sided, you must put it on the first or last page.
Social media
You should display your full imprint details prominently on 1.35your profile. You can include a shortened link to your imprint in your tweet or post. If it is impractical to place a full imprint on to an image, you should include the text of a link, or a hyperlinked logo or emblem that leads to your full imprint.
We also suggest that if you use online discussion forums 1.36you make your identity as a candidate clear where possible.
Websites and other electronic material You should also put an imprint on electronic material, 1.37
such as websites and emails. The imprint should include the name and address of the promoter and the person or organisation on whose behalf it has been produced.
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Polling day dos and don’ts You should: 1.38
• Make sure that any tellers working for you follow our tellers’ dos and don’ts and any guidance issued by the Returning Officer.
• Make sure your campaigners follow the Code of conduct for campaigners in Great Britain which sets out what is, and is not, considered acceptable behaviour at polling stations and in the community.
• Comply with requests by polling station staff or the Returning Officer about campaigning near polling stations. You should, however, be allowed to put your message to voters on polling day, including in public spaces outside polling places.
• Make sure that any agents who are attending polling stations, postal vote opening sessions or the count understand the rules about the secrecy of the ballot. For more information, see our documents setting out the secrecy requirements for the poll, postal voting and the count. For candidates in Wales, we have also produced the secrecy requirements for postal vote openings, the poll and the count bi-lingually in English and Welsh.
You must not: 1.39
• Campaign near polling stations in a way that could be seen by voters as aggressive or intimidating (for example, large groups of supporters carrying banners, or vehicles with loudspeakers or heavily branded with campaign material).
• Breach the requirements on secrecy of the ballot. This is an essential part of any modern democracy and breaches are taken seriously.
• In particular, if you (or your agents) are attending postal vote opening sessions, you must not seek to identify and publicise how votes have been marked on individual ballot papers.
Tellers are volunteers for candidates who stand outside polling stations and record the elector numbers of electors who have voted.
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• Before the close of poll, publish exit polls or any other data based on information given by people about how they voted after they have cast their vote, including a postal vote.
Maintaining the integrity of the election
As a candidate, you will be one of the key public faces of 1.40the election, and your conduct will be scrutinised in detail by your opponents, the media and voters. Voters should be able to trust that you will comply with the law and maintain the integrity of the election process.
The person who acts as your election agent is 1.41responsible for your campaign and, in particular, is legally responsible for its financial management.
You should also make sure that your supporters fully 1.42understand the law and know what they need to do to ensure that voters can participate freely in this election.
The police can only investigate allegations of electoral 1.43fraud where there is evidence to show that an offence has taken place, so you should always be able to substantiate any claims or allegations when you refer them to the police. You should also consider the impact on public trust and confidence of making false or unsubstantiated allegations about the conduct of other campaigners.
List of offences You should be aware of a number of electoral and non-1.44
electoral offences, and should seek your own legal advice where necessary.
Bribery The offence of bribery includes where someone directly 1.45
or indirectly gives any money or procures any office to or for any voter, in order to induce any voter to vote or not vote.
Neither the Returning Officer nor the Commission regulate these offences. For details of how to report any allegations of electoral fraud see paragraph 1.62.
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Treating A person is guilty of treating if either before, during or 1.46
after an election they directly or indirectly give or provide any food, drink, entertainment or provision to corruptly influence any voter to vote or refrain from voting. Treating requires a corrupt intent - it does not apply to ordinary hospitality.
Undue influence A person is guilty of undue influence if they directly or 1.47
indirectly make use of or threaten to make use of force, violence or restraint, or inflict or threaten to inflict injury, damage or harm in order to induce or compel that person to vote or refrain from voting.
A person may also be guilty of undue influence if they 1.48impede or prevent any voter from freely exercising their right to vote – even where the attempt is unsuccessful.
Undue influence doesn’t exclusively relate to physical 1.49access to the polling station. For example, a leaflet that threatens to make use of force in order to induce a voter to vote in a particular way could also be undue influence.
Personation Personation is where an individual votes as someone 1.50
else either by post or in person at a polling station, as an elector or as a proxy. This offence applies if the person that is being personated is living, dead or fictitious. Aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the offence of personation is also an offence.
False statements About a candidate's personal character or conduct
It is an offence to make or publish a false statement of 1.51fact about the personal character or conduct of a candidate in order to affect the return of a candidate at an election.
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False statements that are not about a candidate’s 1.52personal character or conduct are not illegal under electoral law, but could be considered as libel or slander.
It is also an illegal practice to make a false statement of a 1.53candidate’s withdrawal in order to promote or procure the election of another candidate.
In nomination papers It is an offence to provide a statement on a nomination 1.54
paper, which you know to be false. For example, if you know you are disqualified from election you must not sign the consent to nomination.
False registration information and false postal/proxy voting application
It is an offence to supply false information on a 1.55registration, postal vote or proxy vote application form. False information includes a false signature.
False application to vote by post or by proxy
A person is guilty of an offence if they apply to vote by 1.56post or proxy to gain a vote to which they are not entitled or to deprive someone else of their vote.
Multiple voting and proxy voting offences There are various offences regarding multiple voting and 1.57
proxy voting, including voting by post as an elector or proxy when subject to a legal incapacity to vote and inducing or procuring another to commit the offence.
Breaches of the secrecy of the ballot Everyone involved in the election process or attending 1.58
certain proceedings must maintain the secrecy of the ballot. The Returning Officer will give a copy of the official secrecy
Neither the Returning Officer nor the Commission regulate the content of campaign material and are not able to comment on the legality of any particular electoral material beyond what is covered in this guidance.
Local elections > England and Wales > Candidates and agents > Part 4 of 6
16
requirements to everyone who attends the opening of postal votes or the counting of ballot papers and to polling agents.
Campaign publicity material Certain offences relate specifically to election campaign 1.59
publicity material. Printed election campaign publicity material must contain an imprint and not resemble a poll card. Campaign publicity material must also not contain a false statement as to the personal character or conduct of another candidate.
Racial hatred Under the Public Order Act 1986, it is an offence to 1.60
publish or distribute threatening, abusive or insulting material that is intended to stir up racial hatred or which is likely to stir up racial hatred.
Reporting allegations of electoral fraud
If you are concerned that electoral fraud may have been 1.61committed, you should first speak to the Electoral Registration Officer or the Returning Officer.
They may be able to explain whether or not electoral 1.62fraud has been committed, and can refer your concerns to the police if necessary. They can also provide you with the details of the police contact for the relevant police force so that you can report the allegation yourself.
If you have evidence that an electoral offence has been 1.63committed you should contact the police immediately, using the 101 non-emergency number unless there is a crime in progress, in which case you should use the standard 999 emergency line. Every police force has a dedicated Single Point of Contact Officer who will be able to provide advice to ensure that your allegations are properly investigated. You should be prepared to give them a statement and substantiate your allegation.
Local elections > England and Wales > Candidates and agents > Part 4 of 6
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If you do not want to give a statement to the police, you 1.64can report your concerns anonymously on the Crimestoppers website or by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
You can find contact details of Electoral Registration 1.65Officers and Returning Officers on www.yourvotematters.co.uk.
Please note that if your allegation relates to party, 1.66election or registered campaigner finance matters, such as spending or donations, then you should follow the advice given at the following link: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/party-finance/enforcement/making-allegations.
What if you have made a mistake?
If either you or your agent has mistakenly acted in 1.67contravention of the election rules, you can apply for relief from the penalties for any offence.
You should always seek legal advice if considering 1.68applying for relief.
For more information, you should: 1.69
• visit www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/HMCSCourtFinder/FormFinder.do, and enter the form number LOC002 or
• contact the: Election Petitions Office Room E113 Royal Courts of Justice Strand London WC2A 2LL Email: [email protected] Phone: 0207 947 6877
1
District Council Elections – 3 May 2018
GUIDANCE FOR THE ERECTION OF ELECTION POSTERS/MATERIAL AND LEAFLETING
WAKEFIELD STREET LIGHTING COLUMNS
Election posters/material will only be allowed on Wakefield Street Lighting Columns subject to the following conditions:
1. You are reminded that whilst you need to make the electorate aware that you are
standing for election or are campaigning in the elections, you also need to be aware that voters expect you to take a responsible attitude on your posters.
2. You may erect posters on street lighting columns, which are under the direct
control of the Council: 3. Posters must not be erected prior to 26 March 2018 and must be removed within
two weeks of the election (17 May 2018). Should they not be removed then the charges in Item 13 will apply and further legal action may be taken to ensure removal.
4. The Council must be indemnified against any claims arising out of the erection,
display or removal of posters or as a consequence of the erection of posters. Proof of indemnification must be produced on request with a minimum Public Liability Insurance limit of £5 million.
5. You and the person erecting the poster(s) must ensure that the method of access
to be used by them is appropriate for the site conditions.
6. Posters are not to be erected within 40 metres of road junctions, roundabouts, traffic signals and pedestrian crossings.
7. The posters must not interfere with any sight lines.
8. Posters are not to be erected on a lamp column where a regulatory direction or
warning sign is attached.
9. Posters must have at least 2.3m clearance above ground level.
10. Posters should be pasted to or printed on “COREX” corrugated plastic (or similar material), which is sturdy and re-usable, but light enough not to cause injury.
11. Posters should be no larger than A3 size (approximately 42cm x 30cm).
12. Posters must be attached to the columns with plastic cable ties.
2
13. Posters causing a safety hazard or wrongly displayed may be removed by the
Authority without notice and the callout cost of £50 for 1 to 10 posters then £50 for each block of up to 10 further posters will be charged to you. Removed posters will be retained by the Authority for seven days prior to disposal and may be collected by you during this period.
14. It should be noted that if a column on which a poster has been placed needs to be replaced for maintenance reasons the Authority will not replace that poster.
15. Complaints may be addressed to the Contact Centre, tel. no. 0345 8 506506 or email [email protected].
Note: Election posters/materials WILL NOT be allowed as follows:
16. On any other street furniture belonging to others (e.g. BT poles, kiosks etc) and trees within the highway.
17. And for safety reasons, you will not be permitted to excavate for or drive posts
into the surface of any grass verges, pavement or road under any circumstances to display posters.
ELECTION POSTERS/MATERIALS ON PRIVATE BUILDINGS
Election Posters/Materials on private buildings/property will only be allowed subject to the following conditions:
18. All election posters/materials fixed on private buildings or property will require the
consent of the owner and the method of fixing etc agreed.
19. Any election posters/material should not cause a danger or nuisance to the public including users of the highway.
PRIVATE TREES ON PRIVATE LAND
Election posters/materials will only be allowed subject to the following conditions:
20. All election posters/materials fixed on private property will require the consent of the owner(s) and the method of fixing, etc agreed.
21. If any posters are to be displayed on trees on private land, they must not be nailed to them, but fixed loosely to the trunks with plastic cable ties to avoid any damage and prevent any action by the Council for wilful damage to trees, particularly those under Tree Preservation Orders.
3
Note: For Planning purposes all election posters/material is required to be removed by 17th May 2018.
22. If notices are displayed contrary to the above conditions and beyond 17th May
2018 they will be in breach of planning regulations and appropriate action may be taken as set out in paragraph 13.
ELECTION POSTERS/MATERIALS OR LEAFLETS ON OR IN COUNCIL BUILDINGS
23. No information supporting a party is allowed within or attached to any Council
building, for example schools, libraries, community centres etc.
LEAFLETING IN TOWN AND CITY CENTRES
24. Free literature for political purposes can be distributed in town and city centres. No consent is required from the Council. However, no stand or structure may be erected or material sold.
Any queries not concerning Highway matters should be directed to Legal Services on 01924 305011.
Code of conduct for campaigners: electoral registration, postal voting, proxy voting and polling stations
Campaigners are an essential element of a healthy democracy, and their right to put their arguments to voters should be supported and protected. It is equally important, however, to ensure that the activities of campaigners do not bring into question the integrity of the electoral process. This Code provides a guide for campaigners, electoral administrators and police forces to what is, and is not, considered acceptable behaviour at polling stations and in the community during the lead-up to polling day. As a guiding principle, if there is any doubt about a particular activity, campaigners should ask themselves “What would a reasonable observer think?” More detailed guidance about electoral offences can be found in the guidance for candidates and agents, which is available at: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/candidate-or-agent The Code has been sent to all registered political parties in Great Britain, and Returning Officers will draw it to the attention of all candidates and parties contesting elections. Some Returning Officers may identify the need to develop and seek agreement to specific local provisions which supplement the terms of this Code, in order to address identified local risks. Returning Officers must consult with local campaigners and the relevant national Nominating Officers as well as police forces to secure appropriate local agreement to such provisions, and should ensure that they are communicated and well-understood by campaigners locally.
Scope of this code
This code covers all those actively involved in campaigning in elections or referendums in Great Britain. All references to campaigners in this code include:
Candidates standing at an election, their agents and their staff and supporters
Political party officers, members and supporters campaigning at an election
Other people and organisations campaigning for or against a candidate, a group of candidates or a party at an election
People and organisations campaigning for or against a particular outcome at a referendum
Compliance with this code
Any concerns that this code has been breached should be raised first with the candidate, political party or campaigner in question. Any further concerns should be drawn to the attention of the Electoral Commission. The Commission will raise them with the relevant party or campaigner if appropriate, and will agree appropriate actions to remedy or prevent a reoccurrence of any breach.
1 Electoral registration and absent vote applications
1.1 Campaigners should be free to encourage voters to register to vote and apply to vote by post or appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf, if that is the most convenient way for them to vote.
Campaigners can help to inform voters about how to participate in elections, and Electoral Registration Officers should support you by providing you with a reasonable number of registration and absent vote application forms on request. Voters can also register online at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote 1.2 Campaigners should ensure that any electoral registration forms and
postal or proxy voting application forms conform fully to the requirements of electoral law, including all the necessary questions and the options open to electors.
You can download electoral registration forms from www.gov.uk/register-to-vote and absent vote application forms from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
1.3 Campaigners should ensure that the local Electoral Registration Officer’s address is clearly provided as the preferred address for the return of registration and absent vote application forms.
To ensure voters can make their own choice about how to return registration or absent vote application forms, you should always clearly provide the relevant Electoral Registration Officer’s address as the preferred return address, even if an alternative address is also given. This will also minimise the risk of suspicion that completed applications could be altered or inadvertently lost or destroyed. 1.4 Campaigners should send on unaltered any completed registration or
absent vote application forms given to them to the relevant Electoral Registration Officer’s address within two working days of receipt.
To minimise the risk of absent vote applications being refused because completed forms arrive with the Electoral Registration Officer after the statutory deadline before a poll, you must ensure that there is no unnecessary delay in forwarding on application forms which you receive directly.
1.5 Campaigners should always explain to electors the implications of applying to vote by post or appointing a proxy.
It is important that electors understand that they will not be able to vote in person on polling day if they or their proxy apply for and are granted a postal vote, and will not be able to vote in person if their appointed proxy has already voted on their behalf. To avoid duplication and unnecessary administrative pressures for Electoral Registration Officers, campaigners should try to ensure that electors who are included in current postal or proxy voter lists, or have already applied for a postal or proxy vote for a particular poll, do not submit an additional application.
Postal vote applications
1.6 Campaigners should never encourage electors to have their postal ballot pack redirected to anywhere other than the address where they are registered to vote.
Electors should take care to protect their ballot paper and postal ballot pack, and they will be best able to do so at their home address unless there are compelling reasons why receiving the postal ballot pack at the address where they are registered to vote would be impractical. Electors must state on the application form the reason why they need their postal ballot pack sent to another address.
Proxy vote applications
1.7 Electors should be encouraged to explore other options for people to act as a proxy – including relatives or neighbours, for example – before a campaigner agrees to be appointed as a proxy.
To minimise the risk of suspicions that campaigners may be seeking to place undue pressure on electors, electors should not be encouraged to appoint a campaigner as their proxy.
2 Postal voting ballot papers
2.1 Campaigners should never touch or handle anyone else’s ballot paper. If you are asked for assistance in completing a ballot paper, you should always refer the voter to the Returning Officer’s staff at the elections office who may be able to arrange a home visit if necessary. Assistance will also be available for electors at polling stations. 2.2 Campaigners should never observe voters completing their ballot
paper. If you are with a voter when they complete their ballot paper, remember they should always complete it in secret.
You should ensure that the voter seals both envelopes personally and immediately after completing their ballot paper and postal voting statement. If you are asked to give advice, it is acceptable and often helpful to explain the voting process, but do not offer to help anyone to complete their ballot paper. 2.3 Campaigners should never handle or take any completed ballot paper
or postal ballot packs from voters. Wherever practical, you should encourage voters to post or deliver the completed postal ballot pack themselves. If you are approached or asked for help by a voter who is unable to post their completed postal ballot pack or make any other arrangements for it to be returned in time, you should contact the Returning Officer to ask them to arrange for it to be collected. The Returning Officer may agree that it would be in the voter’s best interest for you to deliver the completed postal ballot pack to the relevant office or polling station, if there are no feasible alternative options.
3 Campaigning outside polling places
3.1 Campaigners should be allowed to put their messages to voters on polling day, including in public spaces outside polling places.
Polling station staff and police officers should not seek to discourage or remove campaigners who are otherwise peacefully communicating with voters, as long as they are not within or impeding access to the grounds of the polling place. You should be careful, however, to ensure that your approach is proportionate and should recognise that groups of supporters may be perceived as intimidating by voters. 3.2 Campaigners should keep access to polling places and the pavements
around polling places clear to allow voters to enter. The Presiding Officer is responsible for maintaining order in the polling place, and you may be asked to move by polling station staff or police officers if you are impeding access by voters to a polling place.
4 Complaints and allegations about electoral fraud
4.1 Campaigners should be prepared to give the police a statement and substantiate any allegations of electoral fraud they make.
The police will investigate allegations where someone is prepared to provide evidence or a statement in support of the complaint, but unsubstantiated claims about electoral fraud have the potential to damage confidence in the integrity of the electoral process. You should ensure you are confident that evidence can be provided to the police before considering whether it is appropriate to publicise any specific allegation. 4.2 Campaigners who are concerned or think that electoral fraud may have
taken place should raise the matter with their election agent or local party, or with the relevant Electoral Registration Officer or Returning Officer for the area.
They may be able to explain whether or not an election-related crime has been committed, and refer it to the police if appropriate or provide details of the police contact for the relevant area so that campaigners can report their allegation. Concerns about breaches of the political finance rules should be raised directly with the Electoral Commission.
4.3 Any campaigner who has actual evidence that an electoral offence has
been committed should report it directly and without delay to the police.
If appropriate, the police will investigate the matter. Every police force has designated a Single Point of Contact (known as a SPOC) to lead on election matters and who will deal directly with the matter or give advice to local police officers. The Electoral Commission can help provide contact details for local police force SPOCs. Agreed and effective from [December 2014]
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Individual Voluntary Declaration I agree to abide by the Code of Conduct for political parties, candidates and canvassers on the handling of postal votes applications and postal ballot papers in England and Wales current for elections and referendums in 2016. Name: ……………………………………………………….................................... Signature: ..…………………………………………………………………………… Candidate/agent/canvasser/other. (Delete as appropriate). Date: ……………………………… THIS FORM TO BE RETURNED TO: Electoral Services Office Room 51 County Hall Wakefield WF1 2QW
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Page title here:
A guide to running a staff vigilance campaign
PROTECT YOURSELFA guide to personal security
Making common sense common practice
16
Together, we’ve got security covered.
Contents – 01 PROTECT YOURSELF – A guide to personal security
Effective personal security
Effective personal security 2
Identifying vulnerability 3
Security at home 4
Firearms and weapons attack 9
Street safety 12
Meetings and surgeries 13
Motor vehicles and travel 14
Delivered items and telephone threats 17
IT security and online communications 20
Protest activity 22
Publicity and the media 23
In the event of an attack 24
Useful websites 25
Protecting yourself and your familyOur own security, and the safety of those close to us, is of utmost importance. The more you do to protect yourself, the safer you and your family will be.
Personal security means taking personal responsibility While it is impossible to provide security for every eventuality this guide provides generic advice and identifies other valuable sources of information.
In this guide, we’ll give you advice on how to stay safe at home, at work, on-the-move and online. The recommendations are based on research, but they are ultimately common sense precautions. By adapting them to your individual needs you can create a firm foundation for your personal security.
Exactly which measures you adopt will depend on the extent or level of threat you are likely to encounter. To help assess this, consider the following:
• Your profession – does the role you perform make you an attractive target?
• Specific threats – is there credible intelligence to suggest you are at risk?
• Your personal history – have you been targeted in the past?
The measures you take should be appropriate to the perceived threat. If they are excessive, they may cause unnecessary inconvenience and stress; if they are insufficient, you may put yourself at risk.
The aim of this booklet is to protect and prepare you so that you and those around you can be assured that all sensible precautions have been taken.
No-one has more responsibility for your personal security than you. Today, individuals face a range of potential threats – from criminals to extremists. Do not make their job easier through complacency.
This guidance book provides some technical detail. Please seek the support of a security professional from the relevant accredited body where required.
© Crown Copyright 2015
DisclaimerReference to any specific commercial product, process or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation or favouring by NaCTSO. The views and opinions of authors expressed within this document shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.To the fullest extent permitted by law, NaCTSO accepts no liability for any loss or damage (whether direct, indirect or consequential and including, but not limited to, loss of profits or anticipated profits, loss of data, business goodwill) incurred by any person and howsoever caused arising from or connected with any error or omission in this document or from any person acting, omitting to act or refraining from acting upon, or otherwise using, the information contained in this document or its references. You should make your own judgement as regards use of this document and seek independent professional advice on your particular circumstances. Standards are current for the time of printing. Version 4 December 2015
Together, we’ve got security covered.
Identifying vulnerability Security at home
PROTECT YOURSELF – A guide to personal security
Vulnerability means there is a risk of successful attack It is important you learn to recognise situations where you are vulnerable, so you can avoid them or – if this is not possible – be on your guard. For example, most people are relatively vulnerable whenanswering the door at home, preparing to drive off in their car or at any time when their movements can be predicted. Attackers can be creative when it comes to finding ways and means to target individuals and their families. The objective may be to cause embarrassment, inconvenience and distress, but may also include the intent to cause physical injury or threaten life itself.
No one can be on ‘high alert’ 24 hours a day. The information in this booklet will help you decide where you need to take precautions, when to maintain heightened awareness and when you should involve the police.
Good personal security should take into account both your work and home life. Here are some effective measures you can take .This list is not exhaustive and the precautions you use will depend on your individual circumstances.
House and grounds• To deter intruders, the perimeter of the property should be made as secure as possible.
Keep fences and walls in a good state of repair.
• It is important that boundaries clearly define the difference between public and private space. Frontboundaries should be kept low, not exceeding 1.0m in height, to remove hiding places and enable goodnatural surveillance. Side and rear boundaries should provide robust defensive barriers to a minimum heightof 1.8m. An additional diamond style trellis topping is difficult to climb and provides an ideal framework forspiky defensive planting, such as climbing roses.
• Side and rear gates should be the same height as the side and rear boundaries (minimum 1.8m), be lockableand located at or as close to the front building line as possible to avoid recessed areas.
• Garages, outbuildings and sheds should be kept locked when not in use.
• Metal up-and-over garage doors can be secured by fitting purpose made locks to either side, approximately300mm up from the floor or by fitting an external floor mounted, locking ‘T’ bar with a closed shackle padlock.
• Wooden garage double doors can be secured externally with two substantial hasps and staples with closedshackle padlocks, one towards the top and one towards the bottom to reduce leverage points.
• Wooden side and rear doors can be secured with a BS 3621: 2007 5-lever mortice deadlock or sash lockfitted half way up the leading edge of the door, with internal locking throw bolts or mortice rack bolts fittedone third from the top and bottom to reduce leverage points.
• Shed doors can be secured externally with two substantial hasps and staples with closed shackle padlocks,one towards the top and one towards the bottom to reduce leverage points. External hinge screws shouldbe replaced with security screws to prevent them being removed and access gained this way.
• Windows should have key operated locks and can be further secured with internal diamond mesh grilles.
• Check garage doors and windows each morning for signs of forced entry.
• Ensure tools and ladders, which could be used to access your home, are locked away.
• Keep the area around your home clear and tidy. This will enable you to identify unusual or suspicious objectsquickly and remove anything that could potentially be used to cause damage, e.g. loose bricks, large stonesand garden ornaments.
• If possible, keep your dustbin/recycling bins behind secure gates until collection day to prevent them beingused as climbing aids.
Identifying vulnerability – 03
Together, we’ve got security covered.
PROTECT YOURSELF – A guide to personal securitySecurity at home – 05
Doors, windows and locksA large proportion of newly built properties have been awarded Secured by Design (SBD) certification, which means that they have had attack tested doors and windows installed under the SBD Scheme. Some existing properties have had their doors and/or windows replaced with attack tested products that meet BS PAS 24:2012 or the equivalent, which includes the door and/or window, frame, locks, fittings and glazing. If there is documentation to confirm that this is the case, the measures detailed in this section will not be required. Alternatively there may be documentation to prove that an existing building has had the doors and/or windows replaced to the above standard. Further information is available at: www.securedbydesign.com
• Establish a routine for completing checks to confirm all doors and windows are secure before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Ensure good quality locks are fitted to external doors and access windows.
• Solid timber doors should be at least 44mm thick and supported with substantial hinges. Hinge bolts (metal pins that automatically engage or disengage as the door is opened or closed) can provide additional security, particularly for outward opening doors where the hinges are exposed.
• A house with a solid timber front door should have a Kitemarked BS 3621: 2007 5-lever mortice deadlock (single point locking mechanism that can be opened or deadlocked with a key from both the inside and outside), fitted one third of the way up the leading edge.
• A solid timber front door belonging to a flat or house that has been converted into flats or separate rooms should have a Kitemarked BS 8621: 2007 deadlock (all of the security benefits of a BS 3621: 2007 lock, but has an internal thumb turn to enable quick exit without a key), fitted one third of the way up the leading edge of the door (see LACORS Housing - Fire Safety Guidance).
• A surface mounted BS 3621: 2007 automatic deadlocking rim latch lock for a house or BS 8621: 2007 automatic deadlocking escape night latch lock for flats or separate rooms in converted houses should be fitted one third of the way down the leading edge.
• Fit a Door and Hardware Federation Technical Specification (DHF TS) 003 door chain or limiter to outer doors and make sure you use it.
• Fit an internal shield/cowl (letter guard) to prevent car and house keys being fished through the opening. Alternatively, if the risk dictates, either blank off the letterbox slot and fit an external mailbox or fit an internal fire-proof letterbox.
• To protect thumb turn locks from being opened from outside, adjacent glass panels should be replaced with laminated glass which meets the minimum requirements of BS EN 356: 2000 class P1A. Alternatives are LPS 1175 SR1 or STS 202 BR2 fixed internal grilles or security film.
• If the door has a key operated multi-locking mechanism, make sure that you always lock it with a key. Simply closing the door and pushing the handle up will not prevent someone entering. You must push the handle up to engage the multi-locking mechanism and then use the thumb turn or key to lock it – LIFT, LOCK, REMOVE (if you have a key). Remember to keep the key out of sight but in a secure place in case of fire.
• A UPVC, aluminium or composite door, including external double/French or patio doors, will often have a multi-point locking mechanism. This should include either a DHF TS 007 Kitemarked 3-star cylinder or alternatively a DHF TS 007 1-star cylinder plus a pair of DHF TS 007 2-star handles. If not, these can usually be upgraded quickly and easily.
• Solid timber side and rear doors should have a BS 3621: 2007 5-lever mortice deadlock or sash lock fitted half way up the leading edge of the door, with locking throw bolts or mortice rack bolts fitted one third from the top and bottom on the leading edge.
• Lower hardwood panels can be reinforced internally with a 12mm overlapping plywood panel, glued and screwed into the door. The void created between the existing hardwood panel and the overlapping plywood panel should be in filled with chipboard of an appropriate thickness.
• Patio doors should have a minimum of three locking points, with an anti-lift device to prevent the sliding door being lifted off its track. Surface mounted patio locks can be fitted to provide additional security.
• Solid timber external glazed double doorsets should have a Kitemarked BS 3621:2007 5-lever mortice sash lock fitted half way up the leading edge, with either mortice rack bolts or surface mounted locking throw bolts fitted to the top and bottom of each of the two doors, securing into the frame, not into the opposing leaf.
• Double doors require two pairs of hinge bolts located as close as possible to the hinges. Alternatively, new hinges with integral bolts can be fitted.
• A DHF TS 002 door viewer or audio/visual door entry system (video entry/intercom) will enable you to identify callers before you open the door. Even then, only open the door with the chain or limiter on.
• All accessible windows should have key operated locks, unless they are designated fire escape routes. Ideally windows will have multi-point locking, but if not, additional surface mounted key operated locks can be fitted.
• Easily accessible externally beaded windows should have the glazed panels secured with security clips, double sided security tape or silicone sealant which has been applied to the frame and the glazed panel bedded onto it.
• Obscure the view into your home by fitting blinds, curtains or film including glazed exterior doors. Get into the habit of closing curtains or blinds when occupying a well-lit room.
• If you replace doors, windows and security products, ensure they have been tested to withstand attack and meet one of the following standards: For doors: PAS 24:2012, STS 201, STS 202 BR2, LPS 1175 SR2 or LPS 2081 SR B. For windows: PAS 24:2012, STS 204, LPS 1175 SR1 or LPS 2081 SR A.
Further guidance is available at: www.securedbydesign.com
All security improvements should be made in consultation with your insurance company.
Together, we’ve got security covered.
Security at home – 07 PROTECT YOURSELF – A guide to personal security
Key care• Do not leave a key under the doormat or in other obvious hiding places. It is better to give responsible members
of the household their own keys.
• Do not label your keys – if you need to identify keys, use a colour-code theme.
• Keep control of your door keys, make sure you know who has copies and if you cannot account for all the keys, change the locks. Do not give keys to people you do not know, e.g. trades people.
• Make sure the keys for doors and windows which could be used to exit the building in the event of a fire are readily accessible. They should not be visible or easily reached from outside.
AlarmsIntruders do not want to be seen or heard so setting off an alarm and attracting attention is their enemy. Police recommend that you select an installer who is affiliated to one of the recognised alarm inspectorate bodies, such as the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) or the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB).
Generally, there are three types of intruder alarm system:
1. Monitored – which may provide a police response via the alarm company.
2. Speech dialler – which automatically calls pre-programmed key-holders (not police).
3. Audible only – which relies on neighbours and passers-by to react.
• To maximise the deterrent, place external, active alarm bell boxes with flashing lights and sounders at the front and back of the property (burglar alarms).
• Consider fitting mains-operated smoke detectors or a fire alarm system in your home, if there is not already one installed. Have a fire extinguisher for example, available for emergencies.
Be aware that DIY alarms will not necessarily receive a police response.
Lighting• Good external lighting can help to deter intruders.
• Low wattage lighting is recommended to illuminate all external doors, car parking and garage areas and footpaths leading to your home.
• External lighting should switch on using a photo electric cell (dusk to dawn) with a manual override.
• Bollard lighting is not recommended as it does not project sufficient light at the right height to aid facial verification and reduce the fear of crime.
• Consider fitting other forms of security lighting for use in emergencies or if suspicion is aroused. Floodlights, sited in strategic places, make it difficult for would-be assailants to hide from view.
• Always have reserve lighting available such as a torch.
CCTV• (From 2016) If your domestic CCTV system covers any areas beyond your boundaries,
even partially, then it will be subject to the Data Protection Act and must be registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). For more information about the legal requirements of CCTV, please visit the ICO’s website at: ico.org.uk/for-the-public/cctv
• Seek further advice from a professional CCTV installer accredited to one of the recognised CCTV inspectorate bodies, such as the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) or the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB).
Visitors• Positively identify callers before opening the door.
• Ask friends and relatives to inform you of intended visits.
• Arrange fixed times for tradespeople to call; check their identity on arrival and never leave them alone in the house.
• Be wary of late night callers to your home.
• Instruct children never to answer the door or let strangers in to your home. Tell them to fetch an adult to do it.
Confidential waste When discarding sensitive, confidential or personal material, ensure that you treat it as confidential waste:
• Do not place it directly in the bin, separate it from normal waste.
• Shred it, put it in a confidential waste bag and keep it safe, not in a public area, until it can be disposed of correctly.
• Carefully dispose of CDs, DVDs, USBs, PCs, laptops, tablets and other devices that contain sensitive, confidential or personal data.
• There are reputable companies that specialise in confidential waste disposal.
Together, we’ve got security covered.
PROTECT YOURSELF – A guide to personal securityFirearms and weapons attack – 09
Firearms and weapons attack
‘Stay Safe’ principles (Run Hide Tell) give some simple actions to consider at an incident and the information that armed officers may need in the event of a firearms and weapons attack. Full guidance is contained on the NaCTSO website www.gov.uk/government/publications/recognising-the-terrorist-threat
Run
• Escape if you can.
• Consider the safest options.
• Is there a safe route? RUN if not HIDE.
• Can you get there without exposing yourself to greater danger?
• Insist others leave with you.
• Leave belongings behind.
Hide
• If you can’t RUN, HIDE.
• Find cover from gunfire.
• If you can see the attacker, they may be able to see you.
• Cover from view does not mean you are safe, bullets go through glass, brick, wood and metal.
• Find cover from gunfire e.g. substantial brickwork / reinforced walls.
• Be aware of your exits.
• Try not to get trapped.
• Be quiet, silence your phone.
• Lock / barricade yourself in.
• Move away from the door.
Tell
Call 999 – What do the police need to know?
• Location – Where are the suspects?
• Direction – Where did you last see the suspects?
• Descriptions – Describe the attacker, numbers, features, clothing, weapons etc.
• Further information – Casualties, type of injury, building information, entrances, exits, hostages etc.
• Stop other people entering the building if it is safe to do so.
Armed Police Response
• Follow officers’ instructions.
• Remain calm.
• Can you move to a safer area?
• Avoid sudden movements that may be considered a threat.
• Keep your hands in view.
Officers may
• Point guns at you.
• Treat you firmly.
• Question you.
• Be unable to distinguish you from the attacker.
• Officers will evacuate you when it is safe to do so.
You must STAY SAFE
• What are your plans if there were an incident?
• What are the local plans? e.g. personal emergency evacuation plan.
Together, we’ve got security covered.
PROTECT YOURSELF – A guide to personal securityDelivered items and telephone threats – 11
Street safety
Suzy Lamplugh Trust highlight that it takes three things for a violent or aggressive incident to happen – a victim, a perpetrator and an opportunity. By taking some suitable safety precautions, you can reduce the opportunities and therefore the risk of experiencing violence or aggression.
• Plan ahead, before you go out think about how you are going to get home. Can you travel home with a friend? What time does the last bus/train leave?
• Avoid danger points like quiet or poorly lit alleyways, subways or isolated car parks. Walk down the middle of the pavement if the street is deserted.
• If you do have to pass danger points, think about what you would do if you felt threatened.
• Consider heading for a public place; somewhere you know there will be other people, for example a garage or shop.
• If you are at all worried, try and stay near a group of people.
• Try to keep both hands free and do not walk with your hands in your pockets.
• Try to use well-lit, busy streets and use the route you know best.
• Whenever possible, walk facing oncoming traffic to avoid vehicles approaching from behind you.
• Avoid passing stationary cars with their engines running and people sitting in them.
• If you do have to walk in the same direction as the traffic and a vehicle pulls up suddenly alongside you, turn and walk or run in the other direction.
• Never accept a lift from a stranger or someone you do not know well, even if there is poor weather or you are late. Consider calling a friend or licensed cab.
• Keep your mind on your surroundings – remember if you are talking on your mobile phone or wearing headphones, you will not be aware of potential problems near you.
• Be particularly careful when using cashpoint machines. Make sure nobody is loitering nearby and do not count your money in the middle of the street.
• If you think you are being followed, trust your instincts and take action. As confidently as you can, cross the road, turning to see who is behind you. If you are still being followed, keep moving. Make for a busy area and tell people what is happening. If necessary, call the police.
• Try not to keep all your valuables in one place. It’s a good idea to keep valuables such as wallets in an inside pocket.
• Consider carrying a personal safety alarm, which can be used to disorientate an attacker giving you vital seconds to get away.
• Let a friend know of your movements, planned routes, location and return time.
For further advice visit: www.suzylamplugh.org
Together, we’ve got security covered.
PROTECT YOURSELF – A guide to personal security
Meetings and surgeries Motor vehicles and travel
Meetings and surgeries – 13
Meetings and surgeries (e.g. MP/Councillor/GP)When conducting meetings or surgeries, particularly where you may be alone in an office, you may meet people who are confrontational or in different states of distress. They may display different emotions and be upset, angry or aggressive. It is important to continually assess your surroundings, the person’s behaviour and potential threats before and during meetings. You should take proportionate steps to reduce the risks and stay safe.
Ask yourself the following questions:
• Have I developed a plan for staff, outlining what to do in an emergency and have I reviewed it and tested it regularly with them?
• Is there an appointments system which identifies the visitor, location, start time, finishing time and ensures proportionate checks are conducted to reduce the risk?
• Is the designated surgery/meeting room close to other members of staff in case I need assistance?
• Are colleagues aware of where and when I am holding my surgery/meeting?
• Is there an incident log book that centrally and accurately records incidents? All types of unacceptable behaviour should be documented, dated, timed and signed. Anecdotal accounts can be unreliable.
• Has or is the visitor displaying signs of irrational, aggressive, or confrontational behaviour?
• Is it safe for me to conduct the surgery/meeting?
• Do I need to consider other options e.g. request a colleague to support me during the meeting or even call the police?
• Will my colleague check on me if the meeting takes longer than expected?
• Do they know how to contact me?
• Have I checked the room to make sure that it is set up correctly with no items lying around that could be used as weapons?
• Is my chair nearest the door, so that I can get out quickly if I need to?
• Do I have an escape route and have I identified a safe area for me and my staff?
• If I have concerns during the meeting how would I excuse myself without causing further issues?
• Have I planned a quick and safe exit if needed?
• How do I call for help if I need to?
• Have I agreed a key phrase to alert staff in the event I need assistance?
• Have I got my mobile phone with me, is the battery charged and can I get a signal?
• Have I got a personal safety alarm with me and have I checked that it’s working? These can be carried discreetly; they are designed to disorientate, giving vital seconds to get away.
• Is there a panic button facility in the room?
• Am I wearing appropriate clothing? A long scarf around the neck could be used to cause harm.
• Am I sat at their level?
• Am I using eye contact and open hand gestures to display a helpful attitude?
This checklist is not exhaustive, but should form part of your dynamic risk assessment. You may also consider having additional training to ensure that you have the necessary skills to deal with a potentially volatile situation.
Motor vehicles and travel It is important to consider the security of any vehicles you use regularly; this includes personal and work usage. You may wish to consider alternative routes for regular journeys to reduce the predictability of your travel routines. Carry a fully charged mobile phone. For further advice and guidance refer to Suzy Lamplugh Trust: www.suzylamplugh.org
Vehicle security• At home or in work, park your car in a locked garage or a secure parking area. If neither of these is an option,
leave your vehicle where it can be seen by the general public. Try to park in a well-lit area, within view of a CCTV camera or in a staffed car park.
• When leaving your vehicle, ensure that the windows are closed and it is fully locked and secure.
• Be alert to any visual changes to your vehicle. If you notice a suspicious object on or near the vehicle, do not approach or enter it. Contact the police and give them the location and registration number of your vehicle.
• Carry a torch so you can check your vehicle after dark.
• Never leave laptops, documents, corporate clothing, parking permits or papers in unattended vehicles, as they may identify you or your employer.
Regular journeys• If possible, avoid setting patterns in your travel arrangements which could make it easy for anyone to predict
your whereabouts. Vary your routes and times of departure as much as possible.
• Make sure someone at home or work knows your route and the time you expect to arrive.
• Lock the vehicle doors and boot during your journey. Open windows only enough for ventilation purposes, particularly in town. Keep your distance from the vehicle in front.
Together, we’ve got security covered.
PROTECT YOURSELF – A guide to personal securityMotor vehicles and travel – 15
• Do not run out of fuel! Always check you have the fuel required to complete your journey. Ensure you have adequate breakdown recovery cover.
• If you break down, pull as far off the road as you can and put your hazard warning lights on. Call your breakdown organisation and let them know if you are travelling alone or if you have children with you.
• If you break down on a motorway, it is usually safer to wait for assistance outside your vehicle, standing on the verge or behind the crash barrier. Take your keys with you and lock all doors except the one nearest to you, which you can leave wide open so that you can get in quickly if you need to.
• Make a habit of checking the road before leaving your home or place of work. Note any suspicious or strange vehicles and report them.
• If the driver of another car forces you to stop and then gets out of his/her car, stay in your car, keep the engine running and if you need to, reverse to get away.
If you think you are being followed:
• Try to keep calm.
• Keep the vehicle moving, even if only slowly.
• Close all windows and ensure doors/boot are locked.
• Contact the police immediately.
• If you can, make your way towards the nearest open police station.
• Do not drive home.
• Record the registration number of any suspicious vehicle.
Working away from homeBefore travelling, make sure that someone at home knows:
• Your contact telephone number.
• Where you are going.
• Who you are going to see.
• How you will travel.
• When you expect to arrive and when you expect to return.
• What to do in the event of undue delay.
Public transportTaxis
• If possible, do not use waiting taxis. Call and book ahead, so there is a record of your booking and the vehicle is properly licensed.
• Do not share a taxi with someone you do not know.
• Consider alternative pick-up or drop-off points to your home or place of work.
• Do not wear anything that would disclose your occupation.
Rail, sea, air and other public transport
• If travelling by train, enter a carriage that is already occupied. Keep luggage in view if you have to store it on a rack. Do not leave your possessions on your seat.
• Never leave your luggage unattended. Between packing your bags and check-in, maintain control of all items, both checked and carry-on luggage.
• If you have to surrender your luggage, make sure you get the right bags back. Do not open them unless you are confident they have not been tampered with. Secure zip loops with a padlock or use a lockable luggage strap.
• When travelling by ship, be cautious about walking on deck at night. Try to obtain a cabin and ensure that the door is kept locked at all times.
• Do not take responsibility for the luggage of people you do not know.
• Consider carrying a personal safety alarm with you.
Hotels
• Where possible, avoid regularly using the same hotel.
• At reception, try to avoid other people hearing your name and room number.
• Never see visitors in your hotel room. Meet them in a recognised place of business, in a public space or a meeting room (where venue staff will be aware of the arrangement).
• Be wary of hotel paging. It is advisable to prearrange with the hotel for callers to leave their name and contact details with reception. This will reduce the risk of identification and possible attack.
• Include a door wedge in your luggage.
• Know the fire and escape route options.
Together, we’ve got security covered.
PROTECT YOURSELF – A guide to personal securityDelivered items and telephone threats – 17
Delivered items and telephone threats
Delivered itemsLetters, parcels, packages and other items delivered by post or courier have been used on occasions to disguise harmful devices and substances. Delivered items may be explosive, incendiary, sharps or blades, or conceivably contain chemical, biological or radiological material. Other hazardous or offensive material such as faeces, have also been used in delivered items. Anyone receiving a suspicious delivery is unlikely to know what type it is, so procedures and precautions should cater for every eventuality.
A delivered item will probably have received fairly rough handling in the post, so is unlikely to detonate because it is moved. Any attempt to open such an item may well set it off. Threat items come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. A well-made device will look innocuous but may still have tell-tale signs.
Indicators of a suspicious delivered item:
• Unexpected item, especially if hand delivered.
• A padded envelope or other bulky package.
• An additional inner envelope or other contents that may be difficult to remove.
• Labelling or excessive sealing that encourages opening at a particular end or in a specific way.
• Oddly-shaped or lop-sided.
• Envelope flap completely stuck down.
• Marked ‘To be opened by’, ‘Personal’ or ‘Confidential’.
• Item addressed to the organisation or a job title rather than a named person.
• Item addressed to a high profile individual.
• Unexpected or unusual origin (postmark and/or return address).
• Poorly or inaccurately addressed.
• Address printed unusually or unevenly e.g. using a lettering stencil. Unfamiliar style of writing.
• No return address or a return address that cannot be verified.
• Unusual postmarks or no postmarks.
• More stamps than needed for the size and weight of the package.
• Unusual smell.
• Greasy or oily stains emerging from within.
• Small hole(s) in the envelope or wrapping.
• Powders or liquids emanating from the package.
• Sudden onset of illness or irritation of skin, eyes or nose.
If in doubt call 999 and ask for the police. Clear the area immediately.Do not attempt to open the letter or package. Avoid unnecessary handling.
Keep it separate so it is easily identifiable. For further advice visit: www.cpni.gov.uk
Telephone threats and anonymous calls
Anonymous calls and telephone threats are usually intended to lower your morale or cause fear, alarm and distress. These calls can be extremely distressing but, if it is bearable, keeping the caller talking can reveal important information. If the call is not too upsetting, consider the following actions:
• Note details about the caller: e.g. gender, accent, a speech impediment.
• Listen for any clues as to the intention of the caller or the specific threat.
• Listen for background noise, which may provide valuable information about the location or circumstances of the caller (traffic, trains, children etc.).
• Write down the details immediately; include date, time and exact words spoken, if possible. Keep a note pad and pen to hand.
• On termination of the call operate any trace facility, such as the BT 1471 service.
• Inform the police immediately if threats have been made.
• Consider making your home phone number ex-directory.
Together, we’ve got security covered.
PROTECT YOURSELF – A guide to personal securityIT Security and online communications – 19
IT security and online communications
Tell your children to hang up without responding, if they receive such a call. You may decide that your children should not answer the telephone, if there is a risk of a malicious call.
Use a caller display function, so that the call can be screened before being answered.
If you are persistently receiving silent calls, do not say anything when you answer. Normal callers will identify themselves and if it is the malicious caller you can hang up.
Amend the outgoing message on your answer machine or voicemail. You should not provide any personal information or indicate that you are away from your property for any length of time. The use of social media, smartphones and tablets has increased the potential for theft of information that could be used to target you. Get Safe On Line (www.getsafeonline.org) provides practical advice on how to protect yourself, your computers, mobile devices and your business against fraud, identity theft, viruses and many other problems encountered online.
Mobile devicesYou need to be aware of the security risks and take steps to protect your devices. Think about the activities you use your device for – online banking, personal emails, social media and photographs. Do you want these to be made public or used against you?
• Use all of the security facilities available, e.g. device tracking, screen and SIM passcodes.
• Disable your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection when not in use.
• Record the IMEI numbers for your phone and tablet. An IMEI is 15 numbers long and uniquely identifies your phone. It is on the phone box package, under the phone battery or can be found by typing *#06# into your phone.
• Change the default PIN for voicemail access.
• Avoid using public Wi-Fi hotspots. These may not be secure.
• Disable location services if appropriate and review privacy settings to prevent someone tracking your movements and identifying your home address or place of work. Geotagging marks a video, photo or other media with a location, this can reveal private information to a third party.
• Remove metadata from pictures, especially ones taken from mobile phones before you post them online.
IT security • Use a firewall and anti-virus software and keep them up to date. Run system scans regularly.
• Be cautious when using third party applications. Malicious codes known as ‘malware’ can spread rapidly around social networks or via email.
• Do not open emails from unknown or suspicious senders.
• Treat all email attachments and links with caution. Where it exists, turn off the option to automatically download attachments to emails.
• Use software controls that ensure only reputable websites can be accessed, reducing the risk of malicious software being installed on the system.
• Make sure that the latest updates to your device’s operating system are promptly installed.
• Check the security protection of your home/business Wi-Fi networks. Change the default (manufacturer) passcode.
• Use a hard-to-guess password and never write it down. Do not tell anyone your password.
• Do not use the same password for all security log-on purposes.
• Shred CDs/DVDs before disposal if they contain sensitive information.
Children’s personal safety onlineInformation and support for young people/parents and professionals is available on the education website at: www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP): www.ceop.police.uk
Together, we’ve got security covered.
Protest activity
PROTECT YOURSELF – A guide to personal securityIT Security and online communications – 21
Online Social Networking (OSN)
The internet can be a valuable source of information, education and entertainment for all the family. However, you need to take precautions when using it, especially for social networking purposes.
Internet-based social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and lnstagram are popular applications that allow individuals to create a profile containing personal information and interact with other users. Review your privacy settings otherwise some or all of your OSN profiles can be seen by a large audience.
Business networking sites, such as Linkedln, also require personal profiles to be created which normally include an individual’s work history. Whilst these applications are useful tools to communicate with others or advertise your professional skills, publishing personal information on your OSN profiles presents potential risks:
• You may be susceptible to identity theft, as dates of birth, full names, home addresses and email details are key pieces of information for identity fraudsters. Some sites ‘own’ any data posted on them and may reserve the right to sell your details to third parties.
• Posting information can put your personal safety at risk. If you provide too much information and do not have the appropriate privacy settings applied, your business or social network accounts can be a veritable ‘gold mine’ for those intent on building up a picture of your relationships, opinions, places of interest and any other subject that they may seek to exploit in the future.
• Location-based information can be posted on social networks, especially from GPS-enabled mobile devices, which tells others exactly where you are or have been. This information is not secure and could be viewed by anyone, including those who may want to harm you or your family, friends and colleagues. The responsibility rests with you to ensure that no-one is put at risk due to what is disclosed.
• Regularly check what information you can find out about yourself, your family or your business on-line and edit where able.
You should not include personal details such as:
• Mobile phone numbers.
• Personal or work addresses.
• Employment details.
• Family members.
• Hobbies and places frequented.
• Vehicle details.
• Work information on personal accounts.
• To avoid putting other people at risk, photographs of family, friends and colleagues should only be published with your consent and theirs. If applicable, published photographs should not reveal your occupation, home or place of work.
• Review your account settings. Disable photo and location tagging, so you have to approve another user identifying you in a photograph or being at a specific location. Ensure your privacy settings are adequate and your account is as locked down as it can be.
• It is equally important that family and friends are made aware of any risk, in order for them to take suitable precautions with their online presence. This is especially relevant if they are used to posting content about the person ‘at risk’.
DemonstrationsIt is possible that your profession or association with an organisation could lead to protesters gathering at your home or work. They may assemble close to the boundary of your home, work place or even on your property.
If this happens:
• Stay calm – such protests may intimidate but will not necessarily lead to a physical threat.
• Remain inside.
• Close and lock doors and windows and draw the curtains/blinds.
• Inform the police using the 999 system.
• Inform your workplace/colleagues.
• Do not, in any way, respond to or antagonise the protesters; remain indoors out of sight and avoid confrontation.
• If possible, note descriptions of individuals and vehicles present.
• If you have a CCTV system fitted that has recorded images of protesters, you should hand any footage obtained over to the police; it may assist with identification and provide evidence in cases where offences have been committed.
• Postpone any expected visitors.
• Wait for the arrival of police.
Together, we’ve got security covered.
PROTECT YOURSELF – A guide to personal securityPublicity and the media – 23
Publicity and the media In the event of an attack
Leafleting campaignsYour neighbours may receive letters or leaflets describing in extreme terms the work that you do. Most people, whatever their personal view on the subject at issue, will be sympathetic towards anyone who is being victimised.
• You may want to talk to your neighbours.
• All incidents should be logged and reported to police and to your employer.
• Do not remove any posters or offensive notices found on your property without prior, careful examination.
• Leaflets or other materials should be passed to police.
Avoid revealing details about personal circumstances which might be of use to a person planning to target you or your business interests. This includes interactions with the media, be it for work or social purposes. It is impossible to provide advice to cater for every eventuality but the following are some examples of the kind of publicity which should be avoided or controlled:
• Home addresses and other identifying details should be excluded from business publications and online networks.
• Work related press releases, publicity materials and website content should be reviewed to see if any information can be removed or amended to protect individuals.
• Television camera crews and press photographers should not generally be allowed to enter private homes. However, where agreement is reached to grant interviews to the press on private premises or to the publication of articles about the private lives of interviewees or their families, the media should be asked not to publish details which would help to identify a home address or regular way of life.
• The electoral role is a source for commercial companies to obtain your personal information. You can seek advice on how to protect this information from your local authority.
• If you have professional membership of any business-related organisation, ask them not to publish your full details or, if they do, to put them on a password-protected area of the site.
If, in spite of the precautions you have taken, an attack has been made or attempted, it is essential that:• Police are alerted immediately.
• You follow their instructions absolutely.
• Nothing is touched at the scene.
• No information is given, other than to the police.
Together, we’ve got security covered.
PROTECT YOURSELF – A guide to personal securityUseful websites – 25
Useful websites
In an emergency dial 999
Non emergency calls dial 101
Security advice
National Counter Terrorism Security Office:
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/national-counter-terrorism-security-office
Centre for Protection of the National Infrastructure: www.cpni.gov.uk
Foreign Travel advice: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
General crime prevention advice
Secured By Design: www.securedbydesign.com
Anti-fraud advice: www.actionfraud.police.uk
Sold Secure: www.soldsecure.com
Master Locksmith Association (MLA): www.locksmiths.co.uk
Personal safety advice
Crimestoppers: www.crimestoppers-uk.org Tel: 0800 555 111
Suzy Lamplugh Trust: www.suzylamplugh.org
Victim Support: www.victimsupport.org.uk
Cyber/Information security advice
Get Safe Online: www.getsafeonline.org
Cyber Street: www.cyberstreetwise.com
Internet Security & Safety Advice: www.knowthenet.org.uk
Advice on how to help children use the internet safely: www.internetmatters.org
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP): www.ceop.police.uk
Direct marketing removal
Mail Preference Service: www.mpsonline.org.uk
Telephone Preference Service: www.tpsonline.org.uk
Local Police Station:
Local Counter Terrorism Security Adviser:
Local Hospital:
Local GP Surgery:
‘If you suspect it report it’
0800 789 321Confidential Anti-Terrorist
Hotline
District Council Elections Thursday 3 May 2018
ROOMS FOR MEETINGS
There is no hire charge for using these rooms, but you must pay for any expenses incurred, such as heating, lighting and cleaning and for any damage to the premises.
Candidates’ right to use rooms does not include hours during which a school is used for educational purposes. Equally, any prior letting of a meeting room must take precedence.
You need to contact venues/premises directly and you may be required to complete either an online or paper booking form.
MEETING ROOMS
Meeting Rooms
Premises
Contact Telephone Number
1. Pontefract Town Hall
Events & Functions Team 01924 305830
2. Castleford Civic Centre
Events & Functions Team
01924 305830
3. Wakefield County Hall Events & Functions Team 01924 305830
4. Ossett Town Hall
Events & Functions Team
01924 305830
Schools Bookings for schools should be made directly with the school concerned. A list of schools is available here: http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/schools-and-children/schools/find-a-school
District Council Elections - Thursday 3rd May 2018
TELLERS AT POLLING STATIONS The following guidance is based on the Electoral Commission’s “Guidance on the conduct of tellers in and around polling places” published in 2015 but has been amended to reflect local practice. The purpose of these guidance notes is to help ensure that the activities of tellers remain within the bounds of what is acceptable. The guidance is not mandatory, but following it will be of mutual benefit to all concerned: candidates, agents, Returning Officer, Presiding Officers, the voters and tellers themselves. For the purpose of this guidance:
• “Polling place” means the building in which polling stations are located. • “Polling station” is defined as the room or area within a polling place where electors cast
their votes, which contains the polling booths, ballot box and Presiding Officer’s table. The polling station is a self-contained area which only those allowed by law may enter. More than one polling station may be located within a polling place.
1. Introduction Tellers are usually volunteers for candidates. They stand outside polling places and record the electoral numbers of electors who have voted. By identifying electors who have not voted and relaying this information to the candidate or their supporters, tellers play an important role in elections. The candidate or their supporters may then contact the voters who have not yet been to vote during polling day and persuade them to vote, which may help to increase turnout. This is a well-established practice, but the activities of tellers can sometimes be confusing or even intimidating so far as the voters are concerned, and do lead to complaints and disputes. Tellers must not impede or interfere with the efficient and secure administration of the election and must comply with any instructions issued by the Returning Officer or Presiding Officer. The Returning Officer is ultimately responsible for the conduct of an election; as such, their decision is final. Each individual Returning Officer is independent of the local authority when they are conducting the election, and everything is done under their personal responsibility and their decision is final. 2. The Legal Position Tellers have no status so far as electoral law is concerned. They should not be confused with polling agents, whose appointment and duties are prescribed in the Representation of the People Acts. Tellers, unlike polling agents, are not among the categories of people admitted to the polling station. 3. Number of Tellers
There should be no more than one teller at a polling station for each candidate. Where a polling place contains more than one polling station with separate entrances, it may be appropriate for there to be tellers at each entrance, but no more than one per candidate. Their behaviour and numbers should never be capable to being seen as intimidating in any way. 4. Tellers’ Activities Tellers should concern themselves only with checking who has voted. This will involve politely asking voters for their poll card, elector number or name and address. If a voter does not have a poll card, then he or she may be asked to give his or her name and address. Voters should not be asked to re-enter the polling station to ascertain their electoral number or retrieve a poll card. In any event, tellers must not in any way impede or obstruct voters on their way into or out of the polling station or the building in which it is situated. Voters are not obliged to comply with any request for information. Tellers must not press voters if their initial request for information is declined. Tellers must not ask polling staff to hand over poll cards that may have been left with them or in bins. Tellers should bear in mind that voters are not obliged to hand over their poll card or comply with any request for information. If voters decline, they must not be pressed. No impression should be given that the information must be provided for official purposes. Tellers must not attempt to induce, influence or persuade an elector how or whether to vote. Tellers cannot promote particular candidates or political parties. Their conduct must not give rise to allegations of undue influence, e.g. discussing voting intentions, party affiliations, a candidate’s history, election campaigns, or undertaking any other activity particularly associated with one particular party or candidate. Any queries that relate to the electoral process must be directed to the Presiding Officer. Tellers must always comply with the instructions of the Returning Officer and Presiding Officer. If asked, tellers should explain that they are activists seeking to determine who has actually voted. No impression should be given that any information provided will be used for official purposes or that they are employed by the Returning Officer. Anything else could give rise to allegations of undue influence or simply antagonise voters. In particular, tellers must not hand out election material or otherwise try to influence the way someone will vote. Nor should they ask voters who they intend to vote for or how they have voted. Tellers should not display or distribute election material (e.g. billboards, posters, placards or pamphlets) on walls or around the polling place. Any display of such material should be brought to the attention of the Presiding Officer immediately. 5. Tellers’ Location The polling station is the self-contained area containing the polling booths, ballot box and the Presiding Officer’s and Poll Clerk’s desk. Tellers must remain outside the polling place itself; they may only enter the polling station for the lawful purpose of casting their own vote, voting as a proxy, assisting a voter with disabilities, or fulfilling duties of their appointment as a polling agent, election agent, or candidate. Tellers should normally remain outside the building in which the polling station is situated. At the Presiding Officer’s discretion, they may be allowed inside the building (but not the polling station) in bad weather if this is practicable, provided they do not position themselves in such a way that the secrecy of the ballot might be compromised and they do not impede or obstruct the access of
voters. Tellers must not be able to see or hear what is going on inside the polling station. Where a polling place consists of one room only, tellers should not under any circumstances seek or be allowed to enter that room. Tellers cannot enter the polling station under any circumstances in their capacity as tellers. Tellers must comply with any instructions as to their location given by the Presiding Officer or Returning Officer. 6. Wearing Rosettes / Campaign Material Tellers should wear coloured rosettes of a reasonable size, as this assists electors by making it clear that they are activists and not electoral officials. The rosette may display the name of a candidate and/or an emblem or description. Tellers must not wear, carry or display any headwear, footwear or other apparel that carries any writing, picture or sign relating to any candidate or party apart from a rosette. 7. Queries / Complaints Queries or complaints about the conduct of tellers should be reported in the first instance to the Presiding Officer at the polling station. Presiding Officers have the power to keep order in the station and may require any teller who refuses to carry out their instructions to be removed. It is an offence under electoral law for anyone to impede or interfere with any electors prior to the voting. The Presiding Officer may request a member of the Returning Officer’s staff to visit the polling place. If interference persists the police will be called. The Presiding Officer will be asked to monitor the situation and report any further problems to the Elections Office. The agent of the party or candidate they are representing should also be informed. This enables the party or candidate concerned to take action against such tellers and ensure that they are properly briefed before being allowed to act as tellers in future elections.
Tellers have no legal status and voters have the right to refuse to give them any information.
Information for Candidates
Verification and Counting of the Votes
District Council Elections – Thursday 3 May 2018
General information The verification and counting of the votes will take place on Thursday/Friday, 3/4 May 2018. Candidates and their appointed election agents will receive admission letters and wristbands to gain entry to the count to their home addresses. These will be sent out within the next few weeks. To gain entry to the count all attendees must bring their admission letter, and must be wearing the wristband as issued. All attendees must sign in at the reception desk on arrival, security checks will be undertaken before being admitted on to the count floor. Candidates are entitled to bring their spouse/partner or guest to attend the counting of the votes and appoint Counting Agents and Spectators. You will receive confirmation of the numbers of people that you will be able to appoint in the next few weeks. (An ‘appointment of counting agents’ form is included in this pack, please complete and return to our office). The number of people you can appoint will depend on the number of candidates standing in your particular election, the number of staff appointed by the Returning Officer and have regard to the health and safety of all concerned. Spectators will not be permitted to enter the main hall but will be able to observe proceedings from the Aerobics Studio. You may be asked for additional ID so we advise that you bring some form of identity, i.e. photo ID, with you to the count centre. Failure to provide a copy of your admission letter and wristband will result in non-admission to the count venue. Failure to provide additional ID may result in non-admission to the count venue. Admission letters and wristbands are non-transferrable.
Contained in this guidance is the following information:
• The proposed count timetable • Verification / Count Process • The Count Process - Who Does What? • Secrecy notice – Section 66 of the Representation of the People Act
1983 (as amended)
Proposed Count Timetable
Thursday/Friday, 3/4 May 2018 - Thornes Park Athletics Stadium
EVENT
ESTIMATED TIME
Candidates and Agents admitted to main hall (After staff training session completed.) (Spectators are not permitted to enter the main hall but can observe proceedings from the Aerobics Studio)
10:30pm
Thursday 3rd May
Verification of ballot papers commences
10:30pm
Thursday 3rd May
Counting of the votes commences
12.00 midnight
Conclusion of the count and announcement of the results (ward by ward as completed)
2.30am – 3.30am
Friday 4th May
Please note that times are approximate and are subject to change
Verification and Count Process
There are a number of stages to the count process. To help you understand what they are the following outlines the key stages: Verification A total number of ballot papers in each box is
established. Postal votes Postal votes will be mixed in with the verified votes
from another ballot box before the count begins Sorting / Counting Ballot papers are sorted into votes allocated to
each candidate and then counted and total number of votes received for each candidate is recorded.
Declaration The (Acting) Returning Officer will declare the
results of each constituency as it is concluded
The Count Process – Who does what?
Attendee Access Overview verification
Overview of sorting of
ballot papers
Refer papers for
adjudication
Request recounts
Candidate
Election Agent
Counting Agent
Spectator
Candidate’s spouse,
partner or guest
Count Attendee Behaviour Guidelines
The following guidelines have been developed to ensure the smooth running of the Count. Yes please: Wear your wristbands at all times. Comply with the rules on the requirements for secrecy at the count (a
copy of the secrecy requirements/notice is included in this pack). Please only ask questions of the count supervisor and not the count
staff. Refreshments will be available in the Aerobics Studio (Spectator Area).
Please only consume food and drink in the Aerobics Studio or foyer. Successful candidates will be able to make a short speech following
the announcement of the result. No thank you:
x Do not interfere with the work of the count staff in any way and do not distract them or engage them in conversation. Concentration is needed at all times.
x Do not crowd the count staff and the count tables. Stand slightly back from the tables.
x Do not touch any ballot papers. Ballot papers should only be handled by the (Acting) Returning Officer’s staff. Alert the count staff if any papers fall off the tables on to the floor.
x Candidates and Counting Agents are reminded that they are appointed to review a particular constituency and should restrict themselves to the appropriate area of the count hall.
x Please do not switch your mobile phone/ipad/laptop or other electronic equipment on or use it in the count hall. Mobile phones and other electronic equipment can be used in the Aerobics Studio (Spectator Area) and foyer areas.
x Do not use a camera or other photographic equipment in the count venue (unless you are Press and are within the designated press area)
x Food and drink must not be consumed in the count hall at any time. x Do not bring alcohol into the count venue. x Spectator tickets are valid for the Aerobics Studio only. A speaker has
been placed in the room to allow spectators to hear the results. x Do not engage in inappropriate behaviour (to be determined by the
(Acting) Returning Officer in her absolute discretion). We thank you for your co-operation in adhering to the guidance.
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Polling agents can be appointed using this form by the candidate or their election agent. It must be delivered by 26 April 2018. The maximum number of polling agents that may be appointed is 10 (ten) as decided by the Returning Officer.
Name of ward:
Name of candidate:
Name of agent:
Signature of candidate or election agent:
I appoint the following people as polling agents:
Name and address of polling agent (include postcode)
List of polling stations to which they are appointed
Appointment of polling agents
District Council Election 3 May 2018
Name and address of polling agent (include postcode)
List of polling stations to which they are appointed
Postal vote agents may be appointed by the candidate or their election agent using this form. It must be delivered by 26 April 2018. The maximum number of postal vote agents is 4 (four) as decided by the Returning Officer.
Name of ward:
Name of candidate:
Name of agent:
Signature of candidate or election agent:
I appoint the following people as agents to attend postal vote openings:
Name of postal vote agent Address of postal vote agent
District Council Election 3 May 2018
Appointment of postal vote agents
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Counting agents may be appointed using this form by the candidate. The form must be delivered by 26 April 2018. The maximum number of counting agents that may be appointed is 2 (two) as decided by the Returning Officer.
Name of ward:
Name of candidate:
Name of agent:
Signature of candidate or election agent:
I appoint the following people as counting agents / attendees:
Name of spouse / guest / partner Address of spouse / guest / partner
Name of Spectator Address of Spectator (including postcode)
Name of counting agent Address of counting agent (including postcode)
Appointment of counting agents & attendees
District Council Election 3 May 2018
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Notification of secrecy requirements – the poll Section 66 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as amended) (1) The following persons –
(a) every returning officer and every presiding officer or clerk attending at a polling station,
(b) every candidate or election agent or polling agent so attending
(c) every person so attending by virtue of any of sections 6A to 6D of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000
shall maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of voting and shall not, except for some purpose authorised by law, communicate to any person before the poll is closed any information as to –
(i) the name of any elector or proxy for an elector who has or has not applied for a ballot paper or voted at a polling station;
(ii) the number on the register of electors of any elector who, or whose proxy, has or has not applied for a ballot paper or voted at a polling station; or
(iii) the official mark. (2) Every person attending at the counting of the votes shall maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of voting and shall not –
(a) ascertain or attempt to ascertain at the counting of the votes the number or other unique identifying mark on the back of any ballot paper; (b) communicate any information obtained at the counting of the votes as to the candidate for whom any vote is given on any particular ballot paper.
(3) No person shall –
(a) interfere with or attempt to interfere with a voter when recording his vote;
(b) otherwise obtain or attempt to obtain in a polling station information as to the candidate for whom a voter in that station is about to vote or has voted;
(c) communicate at any time to any person any information obtained in a
polling station as to the candidate for whom a voter in that station is about to vote or has voted, or as to the number or other unique identifying mark on the back of the ballot paper given to a voter at that station;
(d) directly or indirectly induce a voter to display his ballot paper after he
has marked it so as to make known to any person the name of the candidate for whom he has or has not voted.
(4) Every person attending the proceedings in connection with the issue or the receipt of ballot papers for persons voting by post shall maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of the voting and shall not –
1 (a) except for some purpose authorised by law, communicate, before the poll is closed, to any person any information obtained at those proceedings as to the official mark; or
(b) except for some purpose authorised by law, communicate to any person at any time any information obtained at those proceedings as to the number or other unique identifying mark on the back of the ballot paper sent to any person; or
(c) except for some purpose authorised by law, attempt to ascertain at the proceedings in connection with the receipt of ballot papers the number or other unique identifying mark on the back of any ballot paper; or
(d) attempt to ascertain at the proceedings in connection with the receipt of the ballot papers the candidate for whom any vote is given in any particular ballot paper or communicate any information with respect thereto obtain at those proceedings.
(5) No person having undertaken to assist a blind voter to vote shall communicate at any time to any person any information as to the candidate for whom that voter intends to vote or has voted, or as to the number or other unique identifying mark on the back of the ballot paper given for the use of that voter. (6) If a person acts in contravention of this section he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months.
District Council Elections – Thursday 3rd May 2018
ELECTION EXPENSES Election expenses returns must be submitted after the declaration of the result of the election in accordance with the provisions of the Representation of the People Act:
Information / Deadlines Notice of Election published
Monday 26 March 2018
Polling Day Thursday 3 May 2018
Verification and Counting of the Votes Thursday/Friday 3/4 May 2018
Last Day For The Receipt Of Expenses and Election Agents Declaration
Thursday 7 June if declared before midnight/Friday 8 June if declared after midnight
Return Of Candidates Declaration Within 7 calendar days after receipt of Election Agent’s declaration
1. General Information This is a declaration of what you have spent on your campaign only and you will not receive the money that you have spent back. A set of election expenses forms to complete and return to our office is included in this pack. If you have not spent any money on your campaign you must still complete an expenses return to declare this. It is the responsibility of the candidate and their election agent, if appointed, to ensure that the necessary expenses returns are made by the deadlines given above. 2. Inspection of Election Expenses Returns The Returning Officer is required to make the returns available for public inspection on request for two years, by law, and a sample of returns may be reviewed by the Electoral Commission. Failure to submit an expenses return is a criminal offence.
3. Guidance and queries regarding Campaign Expenditure and Election Expenses Returns The Returning Officer and the Electoral Services team are not able to answer questions regarding your campaign expenditure or on completing your election expenses returns. Queries regarding these matters should be referred to the Electoral Commission. The Electoral Commission produces extensive guidance for Candidates and Agents at Local Elections, which includes Spending and Donations. The guidance includes the follow topics:
• How much you can spend • The activities covered by the rules • Which donations you can accept • How to check donations you receive • What information needs to be recorded and reported
Copies of the guidance and election expenses forms can be downloaded from the following website: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/candidate-or-agent/local-elections-england-and-wales Contact Details for The Electoral Commission: 1. The Electoral Commission 3 Bunhill Row London EC1Y 8YZ Tel: 0333 103 1928 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk 2. The Electoral Commission - Party & Election Finance only Tel: 0333 103 1928 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk
District Council Elections – Thursday 3rd May 2018
MAXIMUM ELECTION EXPENSES
IMPORTANT NOTE:
All calculations should be made by candidates and/or their election agents. The limit of spending in each ward is £740 plus 6p per elector in that ward.
WARD TOTAL ELECTORATE
Ackworth, North Elmsall and Upton No 1 12893 Airedale and Ferry Fryston No 2 11475 Altofts and Whitwood No 3 13173 Castleford Central and Glasshoughton No 4 12011 Crofton, Ryhill and Walton No 5 12149 Featherstone No 6 12931 Hemsworth No 7 11823 Horbury and South Ossett No 8 11911 Knottingley No 9 10244 Normanton No 10 12328 Ossett No 11 12466 Pontefract North No 12 12612 Pontefract South No 13 11955 South Elmsall and South Kirkby No 14 13550 Stanley and Outwood East No 15 12452 Wakefield East No 16 11293 Wakefield North No 17 11548 Wakefield Rural No 18 13684 Wakefield South No 19 10436 Wakefield West No 20 10914 Wrenthorpe and Outwood West No 21 12095
Notes (i) Limits are set by the Representation of the People Act. (ii) Where two joint candidates stand at the election, the maximum allowance for each joint candidate is reduced by one quarter. (Section 77, RPA 1983) (iii) Where there are more than two joint candidates standing at the election, the maximum allowance for each joint candidate is reduced by one third. (Section 77, RPA 1983) Electoral Services Office, County Hall, Wakefield.
Return of candidate spending for local government elections in England and Wales: Explanatory notes
Who this form is for: This form is for candidates and their agents contesting local government elections in England and Wales. It must be completed by the candidate's agent, or the candidate if you are acting as your own agent. This form is for recording the details of campaign spending on items or services used during the regulated period, and the donations you have received towards that spending. The regulated period for candidates at the local government elections in England begins on the day after the date you
officially become a candidate and ends on polling day. The earliest date you can officially become a candidate is the last date for publication of notice of the election. You will become a candidate on this date if you or others have already announced your intention to stand. If your intention to stand has not been announced by the last date for publication of notice of the election, you will officially become a candidate on the earlier of the date you or another person announce your intention to stand, or the date when you are nominated. It is your responsibility to fully and accurately report candidate
spending. You should ensure you understand the rules and that all spending is properly authorised, recorded and reported.
More information
about when you officially become a
candidate is available in our guidance for
candidates and agents
2
Explanatory notes
Candidate identification mark (all forms) As there are a number of forms that must be completed, it is important that the full set of documents in your return can be identified as yours. In order to do this, please add an identification mark to the spending return form, the candidate’s declaration and the agent’s declaration. You can choose anything as your identification mark. Many candidates use their initials with a combination of numbers or letters that reference the election or electoral area. Whatever you choose, it is important to remember to use the same identification mark on all of the forms in your return.
Main form: Section 1 – Details of candidate and election You must provide the details requested in this section. The spending limit is calculated by adding together a fixed
amount and a variable top up that takes into account the number of registered electors in the ward you are contesting. The table below explains how to calculate your spending limit:
Fixed amount
plus variable amounts
£740 6p per local government elector in the ward registered to vote on the last date for publication of notice of the election
3 The number of registered electors in a particular ward is based on the electoral register as it stands on the last date for publication of the notice of election. Your local elections office will be able tell you how many registered local government electors are in your ward.
Main form: Section 2 – Details of election agent If you have appointed an election agent, you must provide the details requested in this section. If you are a candidate acting as your own agent, please place a mark in the relevant box.
Main form: Section 3a and 3b – Summary of spending and the worksheets for spending categories There are separate worksheets for each category of spending. More detailed information about the spending categories is available in our guidance for candidates and agents. You must provide a statement of each item of campaign spending on the relevant worksheets for each spending category. If you have no spending to report for a particular category, you do not need to complete the worksheet, but you must enter 0 (zero) for the relevant category of spending in the summary table in Section 3b of the main form. If you are completing the Microsoft Excel version of this form, you can insert as many rows as you require on each worksheet to record each item of campaign spending.
You can find contact details for your local elections office on
the about my vote website.
4
How to complete the spending category worksheets
For every item of spending on every worksheet you complete, you must provide the following information:
An item number for each payment. The first payment reported should be ‘1’ and the items should be numbered consecutively. Item numbers should be unique because they are used to cross-reference with other sections of the form and supporting invoices/receipts.
Confirmation of whether an invoice or receipt has been submitted. You must provide invoices or receipts for each item of spending with a value of more than £20 (except for notional spending). You should include the relevant item number on each invoice or receipt.
Details of the item or service used, which should include the name and address of the supplier where this not on an invoice submitted with the return
The name of the person who made the payment, for example, the election agent
The dates on which the expense in relation to the item was incurred, the invoice or receipt received and the date on which the invoice was paid
The value of the item of campaign spending, including notional spending with a value of more than £50
The amount paid for the item, if different from its value
Confirmation of whether the item is an unpaid or disputed claim. You will need to provide additional information about items that are unpaid or disputed.
Other Authorised Spending Worksheet
Under Section 75 of the Representation of the People Act, individuals and organisations may incur spending up to the limits in the table below to promote your candidacy (or criticise other candidates) during the regulated period: The table below explains how to calculate your spending limit:
Fixed amount
plus variable amounts
£50 0.5p per local government elector in the ward registered to vote on the last date for publication of notice of the election
You can find out
more about notional spending in our
guidance for candidates and agents
5 The election agent must authorise any spending above this amount in writing and report the details in this section of the return. If any person or organisation other than the election agent has been authorised to incur campaign spending on behalf of the candidate, you must complete this worksheet, providing the details requested. Each item of campaign spending that you have authorised and reported in this section of the form must also be reported on the relevant spending category worksheet, and included in the summary of spending tables in sections 3a and 3b. Unpaid claims
Use the unpaid claims worksheet to report the details of claims that remain unpaid on the day you submit your return. Please ensure that you use the same item number to cross-reference the two entries in the different worksheets. You must include the details of the court to which you have applied, or will apply to make a late payment, and the date on which you made the application. Disputed claims
Use the disputed claims worksheet to report the details of any claims that are disputed. Please ensure you use the same item number to cross-reference the two entries in the different worksheets. You must provide information about the nature of the dispute and any action that you are taking. When you have completed all the relevant worksheets, complete the tables in Section 3a and 3b on the main form. The totals for election spending in section 3a 'Types of payment' and 3b 'Categories of spending' should be the same. If your totals are not the same, you have made a mistake in your calculations. You should check the information you have entered and your calculations.
Unpaid claims are invoices that are not
received by the agent within 21 days
of the result of the election.
Disputed claims are invoices that are not
paid by the agent within 28 days of the
election result
If you are granted a
court order to pay an unpaid or disputed
claim, you must report the details to the Returning Officer
within 7 days of the claim being paid.
You must include a copy of the court
order with your return.
6
Main form: Section 4 – Personal expenses Personal expenses are the reasonable travel and living expenses of the candidate for the purpose of campaigning in the election. Personal expenses do not count against the candidate's limit and they should not duplicate anything already declared as election spending under section 3. Use the personal expenses worksheet to provide the requested details about the candidate’s personal expenses. When you have completed the worksheet, enter the total amount of personal expenses in Section 4 of the main form.
Main form: Section 5 – Donations and the worksheets for permissible and impermissible donations Completing the Permissible Donations worksheet:
Use the ‘Permissible Donations’ worksheet to report the details of any donations with a value of more than £50 from permissible sources you have accepted towards campaign spending. For each donation accepted by or on behalf of the candidate, you must provide the following details:
the full name of the donor
the address of the donor
the company registration number for donations from companies
the date you received the donation
the date that you accepted the donation
the nature of the donation if non-cash, for example free office space
the amount (for a cash donation) or value (for a non-cash donation
You can also accept
donations from types of trusts, bequests
and Gibraltar sources. The rules on these donations
are complex, so please get in touch
with us if you need more information about how to deal
with these donations
7 Completing the Impermissible Donations worksheet:
Use the Impermissible Donations worksheet to report the details of any donations towards campaign spending you have decided not to accept. For each unidentifiable or impermissible donation received by or on behalf of the candidate, you must provide the following details:
the name of the donor, unless this is not known, in which case please enter ‘unknown’
the donor’s address, but if you do not know this then enter ‘unknown’
the date the donation was received
the amount or value of the donation
the nature of the donation (e.g. cash, non-cash or services)
the date and manner in which you dealt with the donation
Submitting your return Print each worksheet that you have completed and the main form. The return must be submitted to the relevant Returning Officer by the election agent within 35 calendar days after the day the election result is declared. The forms must be accompanied by a declaration signed by the agent to verify the return. Within seven working days of submitting the spending return, a declaration signed by the candidate must also be submitted the relevant Returning Officer. If the candidate is outside the UK when the declaration is due, the deadline is extended to 14 days after they come back. If you are acting as your own agent, you must complete the candidate’s declaration and submit it within 7 working days of submitting your return.
If the 35 day period
ends on a weekend or bank holiday, the
deadline is extended until the working day.
8
Where can I get further advice? You can find more information in the guidance documents we have suggested in this document, or you can view our full range of guidance and up-to-date resources on our website. You can also contact us on the phone number or email address below. We are here to help, so please get in touch.
Call us on:
England Call us on 0333 103 1928 Email us at: [email protected] Wales: Call us on 0333 103 1929 Email us at: [email protected]
Visit us at www.electoralcommission.org.uk We welcome feedback on our guidance – just email us at: [email protected]
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For information about how to complete this return, read the explanatory notes available on our website
Enter identification mark as on candidate's declaration
Return of candidate election expenditure: Local government elections in England and WalesSection 1 – Details of candidate and election
Electoral Area
Local Authority
Electorate Date you became a candidate
Date of election Date election result declared
Candidate name
Spending limit
Section 2 – Details of election agent
Agent's name Date election agent appointed
Mark box as appropriate:
People Act 1983
I am the person named as candidate at this election, and was my own election agent. I am responsible for delivering this return
of candidate election expenses under Part II of the Representation of the People Act 1983
Signature of agent: Date:
Registered party (if applicable)
I am the agent responsible for delivering this return of candidate election expenses under Part II of the Representation of the
Section 3a Types of payment Section 3b Categories of spending
Manner of payment Purpose
Unpaid claims A. Advertising
Disputed claims B. Unsolicited material to electors
Value of notional spending C. Transport
Payments made D. Public meetings
E. Agent and other staff costs
F. Accommodation and administration
Total spending for 3a should equal the total spending for
3b. If they are not equal then check you have completed
the worksheets on unpaid and disputed claims. If you
have no spending to report for a particular category,
you do not need to complete the worksheet, but you
must enter 0 (zero) for the relevant category in the tables.
Total
£.pp/Nil£.pp/Nil
Total
Section 4 – Statement of all personal expenses incurred
Personal expenses are the reasonable travel and living expenses of the candidate for the purpose of campaigning in the
election. Personal expenses do not count against the candidate's limit and they should not duplicate anything already
declared as election spending under section 3
The total amount of personal expenses
Section 5 – Donations
Total value of permissible donations
Total value of impermissible donations
Total value of all donations up to £50 (not including notional donations)
Submit this return to the relevant Returning Officer within 35 days after the declaration of the result.
It must be accompanied by a separate declaration signed by the election agent verifying this return.
Within seven working days of submitting this return, the candidate must also submit a signed declaration verifying this return.
Please provide details of personal expenditure on the worksheet labelled 'Personal expenses'
Amount (if any) provided by the candidate to meet election expenditure
Item Receipt/ Item/ Name and address of supplier Name of person who Date expense Date receipt Date paid Value £ Amount Disputed/
No Invoice Service (unless on invoice/receipt) made payment incurred received Paid (if different Unpaid?
(Y/N) from value) £ (Y/N)
Sub-total
A: Advertising
Item Receipt/ Item/ Name and address of supplier Name of person who Date expense Date receipt Date paid Value £ Amount Disputed/
No Invoice Service (unless on invoice/receipt) made payment incurred received Paid (if different Unpaid?
(Y/N) from value) £ (Y/N)
Sub-total
B: Unsolicited material to electors
Item Receipt/ Item/ Name and address of supplier Name of person who Date expense Date receipt Date paid Value £ Amount Disputed/
No Invoice Service (unless on invoice/receipt) made payment incurred received Paid (if different Unpaid?
(Y/N) from value) £ (Y/N)
Sub-total
C: Transport
Item Receipt/ Item/ Name and address of supplier Name of person who Date expense Date receipt Date paid Value £ Amount Disputed/
No Invoice Service (unless on invoice/receipt) made payment incurred received Paid (if different Unpaid?
(Y/N) from value) £ (Y/N)
Sub-total
D: Public Meetings
Item Receipt/ Item/ Name and address of supplier Name of person who Date expense Date receipt Date paid Value £ Amount Disputed/
No Invoice Service (unless on invoice/receipt) made payment incurred received Paid (if different Unpaid?
(Y/N) from value) £ (Y/N)
Sub-total
E: Agent and other staff costs
F: Accomodation and administrationItem Receipt/ Item/ Name and address of supplier Name of person who Date expense Date receipt Date paid Value £ Amount Disputed/
No Invoice Service (unless on invoice/receipt) made payment incurred received Paid (if different Unpaid?
(Y/N) from value) £ (Y/N)
Sub-total
Name of person authorised to incur spending Amount £
Total:
Other Authorised Spending
Personal ExpensesItem/ Name of person who made Date expense Date receipt/ Date paid Amount £
Service payment (i.e. candidate or incurred invoice
election agent) received
Sub total:
Unpaid ClaimsItem No Name of court Date of application
Disputed ClaimsItem No Nature of dispute Action to be taken
Donor name Address Company number Date Received Date Accepted Nature (if notional) Cash amount/
(if required) Value (£)
Sub Total:
Permissible Donations
Impermissible Donations
Donor name (if known) Address (if known) Date received Nature Date and manner dealt with Value £
Sub Total:
[Page not to be used]
Declaration by election agent as to election expenses
Local government elections
Election of a Councillor
To be completed by the election agent to accompany the return of election expenses Please note: There is no longer any requirement for this declaration to be signed by a Justice of the Peace Election in the [county]* [county borough]* [burgh]* [district council]* [unitary authority]* [local government area]* of
In the [ward]* [division]* of
Date of publication of notice of the election
Full name of candidate
I solemnly and sincerely declare as follows:
1. I was at this election the election agent of the person named above as candidate.
2. I have examined the return of election expenses [about to be]* [delivered]* by me to the returning officer, of which a copy is now shown to me and marked _______ __, and to the best of my knowledge and belief it is a complete and accurate return as required by law.
3. To the best of my knowledge and belief, all expenses shown in the return as paid were paid by me, except as otherwise stated.
* Please note delete if inapplicable
Signature of declarant
Date
[Page not to be used]
Declaration by candidate as to election expenses
Local government elections
Election of a Councillor
To be completed by the candidate to accompany the return of election expenses Please note: There is no longer any requirement for this declaration to be signed by a Justice of the Peace Election in the [county]* [county borough]* [burgh]* [district council]* [unitary authority]* [local government area]* of
In the [ward]* [division]* of
Date of publication of notice of the election
Full name of candidate
I solemnly and sincerely declare as follows:
1. I am the person named above as candidate at this election [and was my own election agent]*.
2. I have examined the return of election expenses [about to be]* [delivered]* by [my election agent]* [me]* to the returning officer, of which a copy is now shown to me and marked _____ ____ , and to the best of my knowledge and belief it is a complete and accurate return as required by law.
3. To the best of my knowledge and belief, all expenses shown in the return as paid were paid [by my election agent]* [by me]*, except as otherwise stated.
* Please note delete if inapplicable
Signature of declarant
Date