Combined Authority and Combined County Authority Returning Officer guidance for Combined Authority Mayoral elections

| Print full guidance

Communicating with local ROs

As CARO you will need to put in place communication plans to support the delivery of the election. These plans should support you in effectively liaising with and coordinating the work of local ROs to ensure the consistent delivery of the poll across the combined authority area, and with managing stakeholder coordination and communication, including media liaison.

When developing your communication plans you should identify and document how you will communicate in relation to key aspects of your approach to managing and co-ordinating the poll, including:

  • consulting on and giving guidance and, where appropriate, directions 
  • disseminating information
  • monitoring local RO planning and performance
  • communicating your plans for the processes for which you are responsible, particularly nominations and result collation
  • coordinating public awareness activity
  • providing advice and support to, and dealing with enquiries from, local ROs and their staff

You should establish a schedule of regular meetings with local ROs from across the combined authority area to discuss options and issues, with a view to, where possible, reaching consensus on the decisions you need to make to deliver the election and meet the identified objectives and success measures. A record of each meeting should be kept as an audit trail of what was discussed and of any decisions made.

Last updated: 29 March 2023