There are time limits by which the election agent must receive and pay all invoices for candidate spending.
Receiving invoices from suppliers
You must obtain all your invoices for candidate spending from suppliers no later than 14 calendar days after polling day.1
For the 2027 community council elections, the last date for receiving invoices from your suppliers is 20 May 2027.
Paying invoices
You must pay all your invoices from suppliers no later than 21 calendar days after polling day.2
For the 2027 community council elections, the last date for paying invoices is 27 May 2027.
Late and unpaid invoices
If you receive an invoice for your candidate spending late, or you have not paid an invoice within the deadline for paying invoices, you must not pay it unless there is a court order allowing you to do so.3
You should make your suppliers aware of this.
Obtaining a court order to pay invoices is called leave to pay and may be obtained by you or the supplier applying to the relevant court in advance of payment. It is an offence to make a payment for these claims without obtaining leave to pay.4
Late invoices and unpaid invoices are known in the law as unpaid and disputed claims. You must include these in your return.
If you have paid an invoice following a court order, you must report this in writing to the Returning Officer.5
You should also forward a copy to the Electoral Commission.