District Council Elections 2022 - Candidate Spending & Election Donations

Candidate Elections Expenses

During the election period, there are limits on how much money candidates can spend as part of their campaign. There are also controls on how candidates receive financial support for campaigning.

Once the Election has concluded, candidates and agents must account for any expenses incurred during the election, as well as any donations which they have received. This takes place through an Expenses Account, which must be submitted to the Proper Officer of the Council by 9 June 2022.

 

Spending Limits

Currently the limit of spending for each candidate is £806, plus 7p per local government elector registered to vote in the ward being contested. Spending limits are calculated according to the number of qualified electors on 28th March 2022 (the last day to publish the Notice of Election). For example, limits for a candidate running in a ward with 3,500 electors would be calculated as follows:

             £806 + (3,500 x 7p) = £1,051

The spending limits for each ward where an election will take place in 2022, are set out below:

District Ward	Electorate	Spending Limit
Ashtead Common	3149	£806 + (3149 x 0.07 = 220.43) = £1026.43
Ashtead Park	3416	£806 + (3416 x 0.07 = 239.12) = £1045.12
Ashtead Village	4659	£806 + (4659 x 0.07 = 326.13) = £1132.13
Bookham North	4669	£806 + (4669 x 0.07 = 326.83) = £1132.83
Bookham South	4502	£806 + (4502 x 0.07 = 315.14) = £1121.14
Brockham, Betchworth and Buckland	3570	£806 + (3570 x 0.07 =249.90) = £1055.90
Capel, Leigh and Newdigate	3388	£806 + (3388 x 0.07 = 237.16) = £1043.16
Dorking North	3380	£806 + (3380 x 0.07 = 236.60) = £1042.60
Dorking South	5631	£806 + (5631 x 0.07 = 394.17) = £1200.17
Fetcham East	3083	£806 + (3083 x 0.07 = 215.81) = £1021.81
Fetcham West	3184	£806 + (3184 x 0.07 = 222.88) = £1028.88
Holmwoods	4672	£806 + (4672 x 0.07 = 327.04) = £1133.04
Leatherhead North	5395	£806 + (5395 x 0.07 = 377.65) = £1183.65
Leatherhead South	3384	£806 + (3384 x 0.07 = 236.88) = £1042.88

 

What is an Elections Donation?

A valid donation is: money, goods, property or services with a value of over £50, which are given towards your candidate spending, without any charge or on non-commercial terms.

Some examples of donations include:

• a gift of money or other property;
• payment of an invoice for candidate spending that you would otherwise pay for;
• sponsorship of an event or publication;
• free or discounted use of property or facilities.

You can only accept donations from individual register on the UK Electoral Register, including overseas electors, a UK registered company or society, or a Great British register political party.

You must be able to identify from whom a donation has been received, in order for this to be valid donation, or you must return this within 30 days. 

 

 

For further guidance on what you can spend money on during a campaign, or how to declare donations please consult the Electoral Commission Guidance.