POLICE AREA RETURNING OFFICER (PARO) – JOB DESCRIPTION
Background to the role
The Police and Social Responsibly Act 2011 sets out that a Police Area Returning Officer (PARO) will be appointed for each force area. It also sets out that the designation of that appointment, for each force area, will be to the Acting Returning Officer (by virtue of section 28(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1983) for a designated UK Parliamentary constituency falling wholly or partly within the force area. PAROs will be responsible for the overall conduct of the election of a Police and Crime Commissioner for the Police Force area. The PARO will therefore liaise with and co-ordinate of the work of Local Returning Officers in that capacity, in a similar way to a Regional Returning Officer for European Parliamentary elections. The Local Returning Officer will be the person appointed as the Returning Officer for local elections in each local authority. Where elections take place on the same day, they will be combined with PCC elections.
The PARO will have the following powers and responsibilities:
· Undertake the functions and duties prescribed by Regulations made under the provisions of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.
· Issue directions to Local Returning Officers in respect of the discharge of the functions of the Local Returning Officers in relation to the PCC elections.
· Co-ordinate and administer the planning of the election at the Police force area level, in line with the legislation and Electoral Commission guidance.
· Ensure that Local Returning Officers have the necessary plans and arrangements in place for the conduct of the elections in their respective local authority areas.
· Ensure value for public money.
· Attend such national or regional meetings as may be required.
· Arrange briefing and training events for Local Returning Officers.
· Publicise the election and publish candidates’ election addresses as required by regulations
· Manage the results collation process leading to a result.
· Receive the expenses returns for candidates.
· Undertake all other necessary activities for the conduct of the election within the Force area in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions.
· Support the learning of lessons from election planning and delivery.
Requirements
It is expected that a PARO would be able to demonstrate the following experience, skills and capacity:
· Hold appointment as an (Acting) returning officer in England or Wales and have been acting returning officer for at least one UK general election, or returning officer for at least one full local government election.
· Previous experience of conducting large scale elections.
· Staff within the PARO’s authority with sufficient knowledge, skills and expertise to run large scale elections.
· The support of the authority in undertaking the role.
· Demonstrate experience in the delivery of training and developmental / mentoring activities.
· Demonstrate experience in media relations and handling.
· Having met or exceeded the Electoral Commission’s performance standards for Returning Officers particularly those at PS1 (Skills and knowledge of the Returning Officer) and PS2 (Planning processes in place for an election).
Duties
Planning, leadership and management
· Prepare a project plan to cover the functions of the post and which takes accounts of risks and contingency arrangements
· Prepare and maintain a risk register and risk management plan in respect of the above.
· Establish and lead a project team to support the delivery of the functions of the post and ensure an appropriate structure for that team.
· Ensure that Local Returning Officers have the necessary support for the preparation and maintenance of a proper project plan and risk approach for the election.
· Liaise with Local Returning Officers in terms of their planning and preparation including monitoring and the promotion of good practice.
· Assist Local Returning Officers where such assistance is necessary to ensure the proper conduct of the election.
· Appoint Deputy PAROs to assist the process and be available to assume the responsibilities of the PARO in any case where that person is unable to act.
· Facilitate training within the Force area for Local Returning Officers and their staff.
Co-ordination with other stakeholders and Communications
· Make arrangements for co-ordination with other stakeholders such as:
o political parties, candidates, agents
o Welsh Assembly Government
o police and prosecution authorities
o practitioner groups such as the AEA
o Royal Mail
o contractors including electoral management software suppliers
· Liaison with the Home Office, Cabinet Office and the Electoral Commission as necessary and appropriate and conveying such information to Local Returning Officers.
· Liaison with the media within the Force area.
· Promote public awareness and participation in conjunction with the Electoral Commission within the Force area.
Conduct of the Election
· Arrange for the publication of the appropriate statutory notices within the Force area.
· Accept nominations of candidates in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions.
· Receive and account for deposits lodged by candidates.
· Liaise with and undertake the necessary statutory functions in relation to election agents.
· Identify local risks to the conduct and performance of LROs in the delivery of the PCC elections, and take steps to ensure those risks are addressed.
The Count
· Arrange a results collation process for the SV count in the Force area to take account of the necessary standards of accuracy
· Make arrangements for the Force area results venue having regard to access and security requirements
· Make suitable provision for media coverage of the event.
· Establish a protocol for Local Returning Officers in terms of the transmission and receipt of verification and count totals to the Force area results venue.
· Ensure the proper staffing of the Force area results venue
· Collate local results submitted by Local Returning Officers to create a result for the Force area.
· Advise the candidates/agents of the provisional result and, when ready, formally announce the result.
· Formally notify the Secretary of State of the result of the election.
· Authorise Local Returning Officers to give public notice of their results.
Expense returns
· Receive expense returns from candidates/agents and comply with the necessary statutory provisions relating to such returns.
Fees and charges
· Circulate guidance on claims for fees and charges including the timetable for submitting claims.
· Complete and submit the claim for fees and charges relating to the PARO within the prescribed timetable
· Encourage prompt submissions of claims by Local Returning Officers
Post-election
· Evaluate the conduct of the election involving Local Returning Officers in that process and record the outcome of that evaluation.
· Provide the Cabinet Office, Home Office or the Electoral Commission with any requested information or data.