Campaign expenditure
Expenses incurred by or on behalf of a party, which are expenses falling within Part I of Schedule 8 to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 and so incurred for election purposes. This does not include anything which (in accordance with any enactment) falls to be included in a return as to election expenses in respect of a candidate or candidates at a particular election.
Campaign period
See relevant period.
Candidate
Section 118A of the Representation of the People Act 1983 specifies the date on which a person becomes a candidate at a Parliamentary or local government election.
Where a person has previously been declared (whether by themselves or by someone else) to be a candidate at the relevant election, they become a candidate on:
- at a UK Parliamentary by-election, the date on which the Parliamentary vacancy occurs
- at a UK Parliamentary general election, the date of the dissolution of Parliament
- at a local government election, the last day for publication of notice of election
For all elections, where a person has not previously been declared a candidate, they become a candidate on the date on which they are declared to be a candidate, or the date on which they are nominated (whichever is the earlier).
Capital
See accumulated fund.
Ceromonial county
The area in which a Lord Lieutenant acts as the Queen's representative. Some are identical to administrative counties, others include additional areas.
Commercial value
The commercial value in relation to the provision of services or facilities is the commercial rate that the provision of the services or facilities would ordinarily cost.
Constituent areas
The geographical or administrative areas that make up any one ward/electoral division, expressed in parishes or unparished areas.
Consultation
In respect to the Boundary Committee for Englands reviews, a consulation is an opportunity for interested parties to comment and make proposals at key stages.
Contest a constituency
Where any candidate stands for election for a constituency.
Contest a region
Where a party or independent candidate is included in the statement of parties and candidates nominated for a region.
Controlled expenditure
Expenses incurred by or on behalf of a third party in connection with the production or publication of election material, which is made available to the public at large, or any section of the public (in whatever form and by whatever means).
This does not include anything which (in accordance with any enactment) falls to be included in a return as to election expenses in respect of a candidate or candidates at a particular election or in a return of campaign expenditure by a registered party.
Contingency
A condition which exists at the Balance Sheet date, where the outcome will be confirmed only on the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events.
Coterminosity
When the boundaries of two different tiers of local government parallel each other (e.g. a district ward and county division boundary both run down the centre of the high street).
Council size
The number of councillors elected to serve on a council.
County council
A body elected by electors in a county, which serves and represents the area defined by the county boundaries. See also district council.
