Agenda item

The Council was informed that the Representation of the People Act 1983 required the Council to appoint an Officer to be the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) and the Returning Officer for Borough and Parish elections. Mrs Karen Whelan, Chief Executive, had been appointed as the Returning Officer and the ERO at the Council meeting on 13 October 2010.

Members were advised that, arising from the appointment as Returning Officer for Borough and Parish elections, the post holder took up a number of other appointments, including Acting Returning Officer at UK Parliamentary elections.

The Council was reminded that the Chief Executive was currently on an extended period of leave. In view of the UK Parliamentary General Election on 12 December 2019 and the personal responsibility held by this post holder, it was felt that that it would be advisable to appoint a Returning Officer who would be involved in the preparations for the election. Members were informed that Mr Richard Payne, the Executive Head of Corporate, had considerable experience as a Deputy Returning Officer.

It was noted that the Council had appointed Mr Richard Payne as Deputy ERO at its meeting in February 2013 and it was therefore considered that the Council was adequately covered in this respect.

RESOLVED that Mr Richard Payne be appointed as Returning Officer until such time the Chief Executive returns to the office.

Note: it was noted for the record that

(i)        Councillor Peter Barnett and Councillor Helen Whitcroft declared that they would be Election Agents at the upcoming UK Parliamentary General Election;

(ii)       Councillor Morgan Rise declared that the would be a Sub Agent at the upcoming UK Parliamentary General Election; and

(iii)      Councillor Rodney Bates declared that he might be appointed as an agent at the upcoming UK Parliamentary General Election.