News releases

The Electoral Commission has concluded its investigation of the Constituency Campaigning Services Board, trading as CCS. The Commission was investigating whether CCS was charging for its services otherwise than on commercial terms, as this would give rise to a donation to the party.

As a result of our investigation, the Commission has concluded that CCSs charged rates were comparable to commercial rates. On this basis there is no evidence that donations should have been declared by the party and the Commission has decided to take no further action.

The Electoral Commission also considered the salary arrangements for a member of staff undertaking branding and messaging services. Our view is that such costs should be paid by the party or reported by the party as a donation from CCS. The Commission has given CCS 30 days to demonstrate that the arrangements conform with these guidelines. If CCS fails to do so, we will reopen this matter.

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Notes to editors

1. The Electoral Commission is an independent body established by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Its aim is integrity and public confidence in the UKs democratic process.
2. The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, section 50(2) says that a donation includes the provision of services for the benefit of a party that is provided on other than commercial terms.
3. A complaint was made in November 2006 to the Commission by the Labour party about the way in which donations from Midlands Industrial Council are reported and the status of CCS.
4. We completed this aspect of the investigation in June 2007 that MIC is not a members association and is a permissible donor.
5. At that time, we also concluded that CCS is not an accounting unit of the Conservative Party.
6. The Electoral Commission considered whether campaigning services were being provided by CCS on other than commercial terms.