Explanatory note

This Order is made under article 23 of the Senedd Cymru (Representation of the People) Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/864) (W. 150) (“2025 Order”) which provides that a returning officer is entitled to recover charges in respect of services rendered or expenses incurred for, or in connection with, a Senedd Cymru election.

This Order contains the maximum amounts a returning officer may recover for services rendered and expenses incurred for, or in connection with, the conduct of a Senedd Cymru election.

The previous charges order, the Senedd Cymru (Returning Officers’ Charges) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/315) (W. 80), was revoked, subject to certain savings provisions, on 18 July 2025 by the 2025 Order.

Articles 3, 4 and 5 of this Order specify the maximum amounts recoverable by returning officers for services rendered and expenses incurred for, or in connection with, a contested Senedd election. The amount recoverable for services rendered is concerned with electoral administration and the discharge of duties relating to the election by returning officers and electoral administrators. The amounts are listed in the table in the Schedule.

Article 6 specifies the maximum amount recoverable by returning officers for an uncontested Senedd election.

The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to this Order. As a result, a regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with this Order. A copy can be obtained from the Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ and on the Welsh Government’s website at www.gov.wales.