THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING REFERENDUMS RULES
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Counting officer must manage and conduct neighbourhood planning referendums Local authority
UK Statutory Instrument
2012
United Kingdom
The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012
At a glance
What's here
7 compliance obligations
Who this Act binds
Plus 7 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Schedules
Browse 320 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Question to be asked in a referendum
Do you want [insert name of local planning authority] to...
Do you want the type of development in the neighbourhood...
Do you want the development in the community right to...
Matters relevant to referendum expenses
Advertising of any nature (whatever the medium used): Expenses in...
Unsolicited material addressed to voters (whether addressed to them by...
Any material of a description referred to in regulation 5(1)....
Market research or canvassing conducted for the purposes of ascertaining...
The provision of any property, services or facilities in connection...
Transport (by any means) of persons to any place or...
Rallies and other events, including public meetings organised so as...
Nothing in paragraphs 1 to 7 is to be taken...
Citation
Prohibition of disclosure of vote
Use of schools and public rooms
Cross-boundary referendum areas
Notice of poll
Postal ballot papers
Provision of polling stations
Appointment of presiding officers and polling clerks
Issue of official poll cards
Equipment of polling stations
Appointment of polling observers and counting observers
Interpretation
Notification of requirement of secrecy
Return of postal ballot papers
Admission to polling station
Keeping of order in station
Sealing of ballot boxes
Questions to be put to voters and proxies
Challenge of voter or proxy
Voting procedure
Votes marked by presiding officer
Voting by persons with disabilities
Timetable
Tendered ballot papers: circumstances where available
Postal voting documents handed in to the counting officer
Rejection of postal voting documents handed in to the counting officer
Procedure for dealing with rejected postal voting documents handed in to the counting officer
Postal voting documents left behind with the counting officer
Opening of delivered or collected packets of postal voting documents
Tendered ballot papers: general provisions
Refusal to deliver ballot paper
Spoilt ballot papers
Correction of errors on day of poll
Adjournment of poll in case of riot
Procedure on close of poll
Attendance at counting of votes
The count
Re-count
Rejected ballot papers
Computation of time
Decisions on ballot papers
Equality of votes
Declaration of result
Declaration of result: cross-boundary referendum areas
Sealing up of ballot papers
Delivery of documents to relevant registration officer
Orders for production of documents
Retention of documents
Notice of referendum
Poll to be taken by ballot
The ballot papers
The corresponding number list
The official mark
Application, with Modification, of other Acts and Subordinate Legislation
The Representation of the People (Combination of Polls) (England and Wales) Regulations 2004
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The Local Elections (Principal Areas) (England and Wales) Rules 2006
In rule 2 (interpretation)— (a) in paragraph (1) in the...
In Schedule 3 (rules for conduct of an election of...
The Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) (England and Wales) Rules 2006
In rule 2(1) (interpretation)— (a) in the definition of “counting...
In regulation 2 (interpretation)— (a) in paragraph (1), in the...
In Schedule 3 (rules for conduct of an election of...
The Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007
In regulation 2 (interpretation), in the definition of “the Referendums...
In Schedule 3 (mayoral election (combination of polls) rules), in...
The Greater London Authority Elections Rules 2007
In rule 2(1) (interpretation) in the definition of “referendum” after...
In rule 5(1) (rules for Authority elections combined with a...
In Schedule 5 (the constituency members election rules)—
In Schedule 6 (the London members election rules)—
In Schedule 7 (the Mayoral election rules)—
For regulation 4(8) substitute— (8) Subject to paragraph (9), where...
In Schedule 8 (combined manual count rules) in paragraph 2(1)...
The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2012
In regulation 2(1) (interpretation), in the definition of “relevant election...
In regulation 10 (combination of polls: general) after paragraph (8)...
In regulation 11 (combination of referendums and election polls: conduct...
The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (Council Tax Increases) (England) Regulations 2012
In regulation 17(3) (combination and timing of polls: general)—
The Police and Crime Commissioner Elections Order 2012
In article 2(1) (interpretation), in the definition of “local referendum”...
In Schedule 4, after paragraph 13(4) insert—
(1) Regulation 5 (functions at combined polls) is amended as...
(1) In regulation 6(3) and (4) (modification of provisions about...
In regulation 8 (modification of parliamentary elections rules)—
In Schedule 2 (modifications to parliamentary elections rules)—
Other secondary legislation about combination of polls
THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING REFERENDUMS (COMBINATION OF POLLS) RULES
Citation
Prohibition of disclosure of vote
Use of schools and public rooms
Cross-boundary referendum areas
Notice of poll
Postal ballot papers
Provision of polling stations
Appointment of presiding officers and polling clerks
Issue of official poll cards
Equipment of polling stations
Appointment of polling observers and counting observers
Interpretation
Notification of requirement of secrecy
Return of postal ballot papers
Admission to polling station
Keeping of order in station
Sealing of ballot boxes
Questions to be put to voters and proxies
Challenge of voter or proxy
Voting procedure
Votes marked by presiding officer
Voting by persons with disabilities
Timetable
Tendered ballot papers: circumstances where available
Tendered ballot papers: general provisions
Refusal to deliver ballot paper
Spoilt ballot papers
Correction of errors on day of poll
Adjournment of poll in case of riot
Procedure on close of poll
Attendance at counting of votes
The count
Re-count
Rejected ballot papers
Computation of time
Decisions on ballot papers
Equality of votes
Declaration of result
Declaration of result: cross-boundary referendum areas
Sealing up of ballot papers
Delivery of documents to relevant registration officer
Orders for production of documents
Retention of documents
Countermand or abandonment of poll at relevant election on death of candidate
Notice of referendum
Poll to be taken by ballot
The ballot papers
The corresponding number list
The official mark
REGISTERING TO VOTE IN A BUSINESS REFERENDUM
Interpretation
Invitation to register
Registration response
Signatures
Business registration officer’s right to inspect records
Evidence of age or nationality
Business voting register
Business voter identifier records
Provision of fresh signatures
Voters list
Marked register for polling stations
Time
Inspection of applications
Cancellation or change of named voter
Alteration of other registration details
Emergency change of named voter
Correction of clerical errors
Procedure for removal from register
Hearings
Time when alterations take effect
Registration appeals
Interpretation
Forms
Publication of business voting register
Restrictions on supply of business voting register and disclosure of information from it by the business registration officer or that officer’s staff
Restriction on the use of the business voting register, or information contained in it, supplied in accordance with enactments or obtained otherwise
Supply of copy of business voting register to the British Library and restrictions on use
Supply of copy of business voting register to the Office for National Statistics and restrictions on use
Supply of copy of business voting register to the Electoral Commission and restrictions on use
Supply of copy of business voting register to certain councils and restrictions on use
Supply of copy of business voting register to the security services
Supply of copy of business voting register to police forces and restrictions on use
Supply of copy of business voting register to public libraries and local authority archives services, and restrictions on use
Communication of applications, notices, etc.
Supply of copy of business voting register to counting officer
Supply of copy of voters list to counting officer
Communication of alterations made on polling day
Use of identifier information
Inspection of documents open to public inspection
Conditions on the use, supply and disclosure of documents open to public inspection
Interference with notices
Provision of false information
Copies of the register
Supply of the register
Exercise of vote
Power to require information
The named voter
Initial steps
Non-domestic rates billing information and the initial registration list
Publication of registration notice
THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING BUSINESS REFERENDUMS RULES
Citation
The official mark
Prohibition of disclosure of vote
Use of schools and public rooms
Cross-boundary referendum areas
Notice of poll
Postal ballot papers
Persons entitled to be present at proceedings on issue and receipt of postal ballot papers
Notification of requirement of secrecy
Time when postal ballot papers are issued
Refusal to issue postal ballot paper
Interpretation
Procedure on issue of ballot paper
Envelopes
Sealing up of completed corresponding number lists and security of special lists
Delivery of postal ballot papers
Cancellation of postal ballot papers
Spoilt postal ballot papers
Lost postal ballot papers
Alternative means of returning postal ballot paper or postal voting statement
Requirements of return of postal voting documents form
Rejection of postal voting documents handed in at a polling station
Procedure for dealing with rejected postal voting documents handed in at a polling station
Postal voting documents left behind at a polling station
Notice of opening of postal ballot paper envelopes
Postal ballot boxes and receptacles
Timetable
Receipt of covering envelope
Postal voting documents handed in to the counting officer
Rejection of postal voting documents handed in to the counting officer
Procedure for dealing with rejected postal voting documents handed in to the counting officer
Postal voting documents left behind with the counting officer
Opening of delivered or collected packets of postal voting documents
Opening of postal voters’ ballot box
Opening of covering envelopes
Confirming receipt of postal voting statements
Procedure in relation to postal voting statements
Procedure in relation to postal voting statements: personal identifier verification
Postal voting statements: additional personal identifier verification
Opening of ballot paper envelopes
Retrieval of cancelled postal ballot papers
Lists of rejected postal ballot papers
Computation of time
Checking of lists kept under rule 39
Sealing of receptacles
Forwarding of documents
Provision of polling stations
The appointment of presiding officers and polling clerks
Issue of official poll cards
Equipment of polling stations
Appointment of polling observers and counting observers
Notification of requirement of secrecy
Admission to polling station
Consistency of ballot papers and documents
Keeping of order in polling station
Sealing of ballot boxes
Questions to be put to named voters
Challenge of named voter
Voting procedure
Votes marked by presiding officer
Voting by persons with disabilities
Tendered ballot papers: circumstances where available
Tendered ballot papers: general provisions
Spoilt ballot papers
Notice of business referendum
Alterations of register on day of poll
Adjournment of poll in case of riot
Procedure on close of poll
Attendance at counting of votes
The count
Re-count
Rejected ballot papers
Decisions on ballot papers
Equality of votes
Declaration of result
Poll to be taken by ballot
Declaration of result: cross-boundary referendum areas
Sealing up of ballot papers
Delivery of documents to business registration officer
Orders for production of documents
Retention of documents
The ballot papers
The corresponding number list
Application, with Modification, of other Acts and Subordinate Legislation in respect of Business Referendums
Form 9 - Official Proxy Poll Card (to be sent...
Form 10 - Official Proxy Postal Poll Card (to be...
Form 11 - Form of directions for the guidance of...
Form 12 - Form of Certificate of Employment
Form 13 - Form of declaration made by the companion...
Note:—The forms contained in this Appendix may be adapted so...
Form 1 - Form of Ballot Paper: Question in referendum...
Form 2 - Form of Ballot Paper: Question in referendum...
Form 3 - Form of Ballot Paper: Question in referendum...
Form 4 - Corresponding Number List L1
Form 5 - Corresponding Number List L2
Form 6 - Form of Postal Voting Statement
Form 7 - Official Poll Card (to be sent to...
Form 8 - Official Postal Poll Card (to be sent...
Note:—The forms contained in this Appendix may be adapted so...
Form 1 - Form of Ballot Paper: Question in referendum...
Form 2 - Form of Ballot Paper: Question in referendum...
Form 3 - Form of Ballot Paper: Question in referendum...
Form 4 - Corresponding Number List M1
Form 5 - Corresponding Number List M2
Form 6 - Form of Postal Voting Statement (for use...
Form 7 - Form of Postal Voting Statement (for use...
Form 8 - Official Poll Card (to be sent to...
Form 9 - Official Postal Poll Card (to be sent...
Form 10 - Official Proxy Poll Card (to be sent...
Form 11 - Official Proxy Postal Poll Card (to be...
Form 12 - Form of directions for the guidance of...
Form 13 - Form of Certificate of Employment
Form 14 - Form of declaration made by the companion...
Information to be made available in relation to referendums
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Councils must publish and display neighbourhood referendum information Local authority
Conduct of referendum: poll at referendum not taken together with poll at relevant election or referendum
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Counting officer must conduct residential referendums according to specific rules Local authority
Counting officer
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Counting officer must effectively conduct the referendum and appoint staff Local authority
Cross-boundary referendum areas and the Chief Counting Officer
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Councils must appoint a Chief Counting Officer for cross-boundary referendums Local authority
Referendums not arranged by the local planning authority
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Councils and planning authorities must coordinate neighbourhood referendums Local authority
Business referendums
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local councils must hold business referendums alongside residential ones Local authority
Browse 30 other sections — procedural / definitional / commencement
Citation and commencement
Citation and commencement
Interpretation
Date by which referendum must be held
Interpretation
Question to be asked in a referendum
Question to be asked in a referendum
Information to be made available in relation to referendums
Restriction on publication etc of promotional material
Restriction on publication etc of promotional material
General restriction on referendum expenses
General restriction on referendum expenses
Notional referendum expenses
Notional referendum expenses
Conduct of referendum: poll at referendum not taken together with poll at relevant election or referendum
Counting officer
Cross-boundary referendum areas and the Chief Counting Officer
Combination of polls: general
Combination of polls: general
Combination of polls: conduct of referendum
Combination of polls: conduct of referendum
Combination of polls: supplementary provisions relating to relevant elections
Combination of polls: supplementary provisions relating to relevant elections
Advertisements
Advertisements
Non-domestic rating: premises used for referendum purposes
Non-domestic rating: premises used for referendum purposes
Referendums not arranged by the local planning authority
Business referendums
Date by which referendum must be held
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