Guidance for Candidates and Agents at local government elections in England

Public meetings of any kind

Services, premises, facilities or equipment provided by others

This includes the cost of the use, or hire, of any:

  • agency, individual or organisation
  • services provided by any agency, individual or organisation
  • premises or facilities
  • equipment 

used in:

  • promoting a public meeting
  • holding or conducting a public meeting to promote the candidate
  • live streaming or broadcasting a public meeting by any means 

Other costs under public meetings

It includes the cost of promoting or advertising the event, via any means. 

It includes the cost of an event that is being held via a link of any kind or is being live streamed or broadcast, where that event is open to be viewed by users of a channel or platform or by other means. 

It includes the cost of the provision of any goods, services or facilities at the event, for example the cost of hiring seating. 

It includes the cost of purchase of any equipment in connection with:

  • holding or conducting a public meeting to promote the candidate
  • live streaming or broadcasting a public meeting by any means

It includes the cost of accommodation and other expenses for any attendee where that cost is reimbursed or paid for by the candidate, the candidate’s party or another third party.

Costs you do not need to include

You do not need to include:

  • events that are for party members only
  • events held mainly for purposes other than your campaign,

where your attendance is incidental – for example, an annual social event at which you say a few words

You should make an honest assessment on the facts of whether the meeting is genuinely being held for other purposes. 

You may also be invited to attend hustings events run by local organisations or community groups. We have published separate hustings guidance which explains when the spending rules may apply to these events.

Last updated: 7 December 2023